The Best Skin Whitening Sunscreens for a Lighter Complexion (Product List Below)
| Image | Product Name | Top Choices | Latest Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Shiseido Anessa Whitening Sunscreen SPF50+ Pa+++ | Our Favorite | Amazon |
 | 2. Loreal UV Perfect Instant White Protect SPF 50+ Pa++++ | Great Deal | Amazon |
 | 3. Cathy Doll L-Glutathione Magic Cream Whitening SPF50+ Pa+++ | Amazing Product | Amazon |
Sunscreen is one of the most underrated skin lightening products that we use today. While the world of beauty introduces newer lightening products to the market year-round, sunscreen seems to get less credit for how amazing it is for achieving a whiter complexion. Despite being the product that is your go-to when summer rolls around, sunscreen can offer more than one use. As most of us know, sunscreen helps to blocks out the harmful UV rays of the sun, protecting our skin from potential burning and tanning. Sunscreen offers the best solution in terms of skin whitening so we can continue using skin lightening products to have fairer skin without the worry of exposure from the sun. The best kind of sunscreen is one that contains a high SPF of at least 15; however, when it comes to lightening your complexion, it’s best to find one that is much higher in SPF to ensure you stay 100% protected when stepping out.
The greatest type of sunscreen is “broad spectrum” which offers higher protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Ideally, you want to find a sunblock that contains the ingredients Oxybenzone and Avobenzone for UVA protection, and Octyl Salicylate or Octocrylene for UVB protection.
Mineral sunscreens are another excellent option for protecting fair-skinned individuals. Broad spectrum by nature, these sunscreens contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that act as a physical barrier on your skin to ensure the sun’s rays don’t penetrate through. These types of sunblocks are “safe” and all-natural as they don’t contain harsh chemicals but rather use minerals instead to achieve full protection.
As of today, a newer innovation has been introduced to the skincare industry. Known as whitening sunscreen, this more modern formula of sunblock allows you to hit two birds with one stone. Whitening sunscreen essentially provides ample amounts of sun protection and other necessary compounds that work by inhibiting the melanin production within our skin’s cells.
As you continue to read, you’ll find some of our top picks for the best skin lightening sunscreens that offer both protection against the sun and whitening benefits that will help you maintain a whiter and brighter complexion!
Our Top Picks for The Best Skin Whitening Sunscreens
Shiseido Anessa Whitening Sunscreen SPF50+ Pa+++
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Known as one of the most respected and popular beauty brands globally, Shiseido has released a reformulated line of sunscreens in 2011 to help lighten the skin while also protecting it from the sun.
With a whopping SPF of 50+ and Pa+++ (meaning this product protects against UVA rays by up to 8 times more compared to going out unprotected), this sunscreen stands out as one of the strongest sunscreens you can buy.
This sunblock contains essential ingredients to help maximize its effects in protecting the dermis from both UVA and UVB rays. Additionally, it also includes the acid M-Tranexamic, which is a proven skin lightening ingredient, Hyaluronic Acid, and Collagen, two of the best bevy of powerhouses to provide fantastic skin benefits.
Because it’s an Asian sunscreen, the consistency of the cream is waterier in comparison to the average sunblock found within the USA. However, this is not a setback to this product. Although it may be watery, having a thinner consistency means it will feel more lightweight when wearing it throughout the day, and can quickly absorb into the skin. As a bonus, this sunscreen is “sweat resistant,” lessening the need to reapply regularly throughout the day. If you are someone who wears makeup, you can always apply this sunscreen underneath and wear it comfortably.
If you suffer from different forms of hyperpigmentation or acne scarring, this sunblock has many benefits to lighten those problem areas while wearing it.
We recommend this product and think its worth a try, be sure to find this product on Amazon.com
Loreal UV Perfect Instant White Protect SPF 50+ Pa++++
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Known as one of the most reliable drugstore brands that produce amazing products at a greater value, Loreal has decided to launch their very own lightening sunscreen full of rich ingredients for ultimate UV protection.
For starters, this sunblock is packed full of Mexoryl SX/XL filters that enhances UVA protection against premature aging and dark spots. Also, it’s Pa++++ which offers 12x more protection against harmful UVA. As for UVB protection, it contains CG which helps in defending the skin against UV damage and whitens the skin by slowing melanin production.
The neat thing about this sunscreen is that it has an “instant whitening effect” once applied due to having special pigments present within the formulation which causes the sunscreen to have more of a “pinkish tint” with a dash of shimmer.
However, this is a downside, while it absorbs well into the skin, it takes a substantial amount of time before the white casts fade away. For women who have pinkish undertones, this sunblock can give off a very “dewy” finish but would look pasty on those with yellower undertones.
While the bottle claims to provide more than 12 hours of UV protection, we recommend reapplying every 3-4 hours as its known to be more on the greasier side.
You can find this product on Amazon.com
Cathy Doll L-Glutathione Magic Cream Whitening SPF50+ Pa+++
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Next, we have a sunscreen from the brand Karmart, a Thai brand based in Korea. Widely distributed around the different parts of Asian, the Cathy Doll L-Glutathione Magic Cream is one of the most affordable whitening products and “holy grail” to those who have tried it.
In terms of the active ingredients within this sunblock, it includes all-natural plant extracts and glutathione for skin lightening. This product is portrayed more as a whitening cream, with the added benefits of being a sunblock. We also love that this magic cream provides an instant whitening effect temporarily that can last for a day, with more permanent results in as little as three weeks.
With many great perks, there is however a downside you need to know before buying. The formula contains the ingredient titanium dioxide, which tends to cause a whitish cast after being applied. As mentioned before, this won’t be so much of an issue for those who are fairer in complexion. If you are more medium to dark toned, we recommend trying a test swatch before fully applying to see how it dries down. Keep in mind this whitening cream can sometimes be of a challenge, making it harder to blend, thus, looking chalkier on deeper complexions.
You can find this product on Amazon.com
Skin Aqua Whitening Sunscreen SPF50+ PA+++
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With similar ingredients found within the Anessa sunscreen, this Japanese whitening sunblock is an excellent alternative with a cheaper price tag. Fragrance-free, color-free and contains no mineral oils, this sunscreen makes a perfect match for those who suffer from sensitive skin.
With a milky and lightweight consistency, this cream quickly absorbs into the skin with ease, not leaving behind the pesky white cast that we all find unflattering. The best part about this product is that it protects against both UVA and UVB rays while containing an additional dose of collagen, amino acid, and hyaluronic acid to grant better skin health and nourishment. It also dries down to a matte finish, perfect for oily skin types.
Be sure to get your hands on this sunblock, found on Amazon.com
Sulwhasoo Snowise EX Whitening UV Protection Cream SPF47 Pa+++
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Found in Korea, Sulwhasoo is known to be one of the most reputable skin care brands that sell beauty products at a higher rate. Although this may be true, their products have been known to work wonders for all skin types, and this one is no exception. The Sulwhasoo whitening sunscreen comes infused with precious extracts and blends of unique Korean herbs such as; ginseng, root extract, and honey.
With the active ingredient being white ginseng saponin, you can expect your complexion to lighten considerably. This all-natural melanin inhibitor works by slowing the production of melanin (dark pigments within the skin) to help lighten and brighten pigmentation over time. The texture of this sunscreen sits on the thicker consistency side of the spectrum compared to other Asian sunscreens that are thinner in texture. Despite this, it still absorbs easily enough into the skin and is not overly thickened.
This cream does dry down to a thinner and softer finish that results in a dewy effect, which is popular among the Korean culture and found in many of the Korean skincare lines. Those with oilier skin might want to stand clear of this product in that regard to lessen the chances of looking “overly greasy.” However, those with dry to combination skin and don’t mind the dewy-soft look might benefit well from using this sunscreen.
You can find this sunblock on Amazon.com
Replenix Sheer Physical Sunscreen Cream SPF50+
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Gentle, weightless and residue-free, the Replenix Sheer Physical Sunscreen is perfect for all skin types.
With a high SPF of 50+ combined with 13.75% Zinc Oxide, this whitening sunscreen helps keep the skin fully protected from harsh UVA and UVB rays.
As far as whitening and lightning go, this sunscreen contains antioxidant benefits and uses a blend of all-natural ingredients like; green tea polyphenols which help rejuvenate the skin and repair cell damage, resveratrol to add an extra boost of protection to the skin against UV rays, and Vitamin C to maximize skin lightening.
This sunscreen is completely paraben-free, oil-free, fragrance-free and chemical-free, making it an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin or suffer from other skin conditions like acne. It’s also ultra-sheer and lightweight, perfect for everyday use.
Be sure to find this product on Amazon.com
