A barefaced sunscreen is the one you can wear alone on no-makeup days, so finish matters as much as protection.
- Confirm the label says broad spectrum and lists an SPF number, and note whether the filter is mineral or chemical.
- Check the finish wording: matte, dewy or tinted, since tinted formulas blur tone and reduce white cast on deeper skin.
- Scan the ingredient list for alcohol or heavy oils if your skin runs oily or reacts to fragrance.
Pick a texture you will reapply midday, because a comfortable formula gets used far more often than a stiff one.