In a country as sunny as Singapore, sunscreen is a must. It’s important to protect our skin from harmful UV rays that can damage our skin, cause premature ageing, and increase our risk of skin cancer.
However, with so many sunscreens on the market, it’s hard to find the one that suits your needs the best. To help you find the perfect sunscreen, we’ve compiled a list of 17 best sunscreens in Singapore for every skin.
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You should reapply sunscreen every two to three hours. This is because the active ingredients in sunscreen break down after prolonged exposure to sunlight, and when they mix with your sweat and sebum. Reapplying sunscreen will keep your skin safe from sun damage throughout the day.
Physical sunscreens sit on the surface of your skin and act as a barrier against UV rays whereas chemical sunscreens absorb into your skin.
Those with sensitive skin should consider using physical sunscreens instead of chemical sunscreens since common ingredients in them like oxybenzone and cinnamate can cause irritation. On the other hand, common ingredients in physical sunscreen include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
Most dermatologists recommend using one-third of a teaspoon’s worth of sunscreen on your face. If that’s hard to visualise, you can also use three fingers-length of sunscreen.
When applying sunscreen, make sure that you spread it evenly so that your whole face is sufficiently protected.
Here are the best sunscreens in Singapore:
| Sunscreen name: | Skin type: | Price: |
| CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion | Oily | $23.50 |
| Supergoop! Mineral Mattescreen SPF 40 PA+++ | Oily | $62 |
| COSRX Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ | Oily | $24.40 |
| Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick: Mugwort + Camelia (SPF 50+ PA++++) | Oily | $25 |
| Skin1004 Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF50+ PA++++ | Dry | $17.33 |
| Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel | Dry | $23.98 |
| Sigi Skin Morning Glow Physical Sunscreen | Dry | $62 |
| Shaishaishai Enjoy The Sun UV Protection Cream SPF50+ PA++++ | Dry | $35.34 |
| Innisfree Intensive Long-Lasting Sunscreen EX SPF50+ PA++++ | Combination | $22 |
| Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel UV SPF50+ PA++++ (For Face and Body) | Combination | $19.39 |
| Purito Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen | Combination | $20.61 |
| Cetaphil UVA/UVB Defence SPF 50+ | Combination | $39.65 |
| Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+ PA++++ | Combination | $20.30 |
| Shiseido Perfect UV Protector Sensitive | Sensitive | $68 |
| Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen – Mild Milk (SPF 50) | Sensitive | $47 |
| Winona Sunblock Milk Sunscreen SPF48 PA+++ | Sensitive | $36 |
| La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 50 | Sensitive | $54.79 |
If your skin is slightly oily, consider trying CeraVe’s Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion. It acts as both a moisturiser and sunscreen.
While it may seem counter-intuitive, a common cause of oily skin is dehydration. CeraVe’s Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion contains hyaluronic acid and three types of ceramides to hydrate and moisturise your skin, all while protecting it from the sun.
Get the CeraVe Ultra Light SPF 30 Moisturizing Lotion for $23.50 on Shopee.
It’s no secret that Singapore is extremely humid; a disaster for girlies with oily skin who just want to doll up without their makeup melting off. Supergoop!’s Mineral Mattescreen SPF40+ PA+++ helps solve that problem. Besides protecting your skin from the sun, it acts as a primer that mattifies and tints your skin, so you can skip foundation.
You may be concerned that Mineral Mattescreen only has an SPF of 40 while most popular sunscreens have an SPF of 50, but there is no need to worry. A sunscreen with an SPF of 50 only blocks out 0.5% more UVB radiation than one with an SPF of 40.
Get the Supergoop! Mineral Mattescreen SPF 40 PA+++ for $62 on Sephora.
If you’re looking for a sunscreen that does not leave a white cast, check out COSRX’s Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF50+. Since it’s a chemical sunscreen, the product absorbs fully into the skin, leaving no residue.
The sunscreen’s key ingredient is vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects the skin from free radicals and reduces visible signs of ageing. What’s more, this sunscreen works particularly well on oily skin because it contains silica, which absorbs excess oil.
Get the COSRX Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ for $24.40 on Watsons.
Truth be told, it’s extremely inconvenient to reapply sunscreen every two to three hours when you’re out. I mean, what if you can’t wash your hands? Thankfully, sunscreen sticks have been on the rise. With them, you can reapply your sunscreen anytime and anywhere, without having to actually touch your face with your bare hands.
One sunscreen stick to check out is the Beauty of Joseon’s Matte Sun Stick: Mugwort + Camelia (SPF 50+ PA++++). It is carefully formulated to roll over makeup smoothly, without clumping up your base.
Get the Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick: Mugwort for $25 on Beauty of Joseon’s official website.
For those with dry skin, here’s the perfect sunscreen for you. Skin1004’s Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF50+ PA++++ has a lightweight, watery texture that makes your skin feel instantly hydrated when you apply it.
The sunscreen contains centella asiatica extract — aka cica — which brings countless benefits to the skin. For example, it helps to soothe redness, reduce inflammation and retain moisture.
Get the Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF50+ PA++++ for $17.33 on Shopee.
If you need something that’s even more hydrating, check out Isntree’s Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel. It has eight different types of hyaluronic acid, which all bind to water molecules to keep your skin hydrated.
Note that this sunscreen leaves behind an extremely dewy finish. Fans of K-beauty will appreciate the shine but those who find the look greasy may want to skip this sunscreen,
Get the Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel for $23.98 on Shopee.
Sigi Skin’s Morning Glow Physical Sunscreen can carry your whole skincare routine on its back with its ability to hydrate, plump and protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays.
Formulated with a bunch of superfoods that enhance your skin health, like avocado and acai extracts, the Morning Glow Physical Sunscreen is rich in vitamin E and fatty acids. These nutrients help keep your skin young and supple. You also get SPF50 protection!
Get the Sigi Skin Morning Glow Physical Sunscreen for $62 on Sigi Skin’s official website.
NGL, multi-purpose beauty products have a soft spot in my heart; they just save you so much time and effort. Shaishaishai’s Enjoy The Sun UV Protection Cream SPF50+ PA++++ is about to make your morning routine so much easier, as it can replace your toner, moisturiser, and sunscreen.
As the cherry on top, it also contains niacinamide, which brightens your skin, tightens your pores, and softens fine lines.
Get the Shaishaishai Enjoy The Sun UV Protection Cream SPF50+ PA++++ for $35.34 on Olive Young.
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If you have combination skin — which means that your skin has areas that are dry and others that are oily — you’ll need a sunscreen that’s hydrating but not greasy. Cue Biore’s UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+ PA++++.
This sunscreen is a cult favourite for a reason. With a light, watery texture, it’s perfect for Singapore’s humid weather, since it doesn’t feel sticky. Note that Biore’s UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+ PA++++ does contain alcohol, which may irritate those with sensitive skin.
Get the Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+ PA++++ for $20.30 on Watsons.
For a sunscreen that can protect your skin for long periods under the sun, check out Innisfree’s Intensive Long-Lasting Sunscreen EX SPF50+ PA++++. Since it’s water-resistant, you can also use it during water activities, like kayaking, surfing, or swimming.
P.S.: Innisfree’s Intensive Long-Lasting Sunscreen EX SPF50+ PA++++ is reef-friendly, which makes it perfect for beach days. For the unacquainted, reef-friendly — or reef-safe — products do not contain chemicals that cause coral bleaching.
Get the Innisfree Intensive Long-Lasting Sunscreen EX SPF50+ PA++++ for $22 on Innisfree’s official website.
Canmake’s Mermaid Skin Gel UV SPF50+ PA++++ is great for those who prefer a minimalistic skincare routine. According to the brand, the product is all you need for
“complete skincare and UV protection”. What’s more, it also serves as a makeup primer.
Interestingly, the Mermaid Skin Gel UV SPF50+ PA++++ comes in five different colours — clear, white, green, yellow, and pink. White serves to brighten your skin whereas green, yellow, and pink help to colour-correct your skin tone.
Get the Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel UV SPF50+ PA++++ (For Face and Body) for $19.39 on Watsons.
If you’re looking for a sunscreen that dries fast and doesn’t leave a greasy film on your skin, check out Purito’s Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen. Results from a consumer study revealed that 96.7% of testers found the sunscreen “lightweight and comfortable”. 93.3% also agree that it is “moisturising and absorbs quickly.”
Get the Purito Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen for $20.61 on Shopee.
Cetaphil’s UVA/UVB Defence SPF50+ was developed with a patented technology that contains eight different filters to protect your skin from UV rays, so you can feel rest assured when going about your day under the sun.
Additionally, the sunscreen contains vitamin E and glycerin, which soften skin and relieve dryness. Glycerin also has antimicrobial properties, meaning that it can prevent the spread of bacteria and other microorganisms on your skin, making this a great sunscreen for people with eczema, psoriasis, or other skin conditions.
Get the Cetaphil UVA/UVB Defence SPF 50+ for $39.65 on Watsons.
Shisedo’s Perfect UV Protector Sensitive is a sunscreen specially formulated for sensitive skin. It is so gentle that even babies and children can use it.
If you’re the type to perspire right after you leave your house, don’t worry about the efficacy of this sunscreen being compromised, because Shisedo’s Perfect UV Protector Sensitive features the brand’s exclusive WetForce technology. When exposed to water for 15 minutes, the sunscreen becomes even more effective.
Get the Shiseido Perfect UV Protector Sensitive for $68 on Sephora.
If you keep up with the latest skincare trends on social media, you would have heard of Anessa; their Perfect UV Sunscreen Milk was all the rage last year.
This year, the Japanese skincare brand released a new sunscreen meant for those with sensitive skin — the Perfect UV Sunscreen Mild Milk (SPF 50). The sunscreen is free from preservatives, parabens, mineral oils, fragrances, colourants, and alcohol, which minimises the risk of skin irritation.
Get the Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Mild Milk (SPF 50) for $47 on Fairprice.
Winona is China’s bestselling sensitive skincare brand. FYI, they are stocked in over 3,000 hospitals in the country and are often recommended by dermatologists.
Check out their Sunblock Milk Sunscreen SPF48 PA+++, which is recommended for sensitive, or irritated skin. It contains ingredients like red myrrh alcohol, which is antibacterial and provides immediate relief from sunburn, as well as purslane extract, which relieves skin irritation caused by UV rays.
Get the Winona Sunblock Milk Sunscreen SPF48 PA+++ for $36 on Shopee.
La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios Mineral Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 50 contains the brand’s unique Thermal Spring Water, which is rich in antioxidants to protect your skin from free radicals.
Being a 100% mineral sunscreen, it has a low chance of irritating sensitive skin. However, since it contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, those with darker skin tones may find that it leaves a slight white cast.
To minimise this issue, apply some foundation after the sunscreen or try out the brand’s Anthelios Mineral Tinted Sunscreen SPF50, which has the same suncare function but with a slight tint.
Get the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 50 for $54.79 on Amazon.
A ten-step skincare routine is not necessary to keep your skin healthy and glowy. Instead, what matters most is making sure your skin is properly cleansed, moisturised, and protected from the sun.
Skipping your serums and essences won’t do much harm, but not applying sunscreen consistently can cause some damage. As the saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Hopefully, finding the right sunscreen will make you look forward to protecting your skin every day.
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