11 Best Sunscreens for Sensitive Skin, According to Dermatologists
Keep your face protected while minimizing the risk of redness, irritation, and breakouts.
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This article was medically reviewed by Caroline Chang, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and member of the Prevention Medical Review Board.
By now, you know the importance of applying (and re-applying) sunscreen. Doing so protects your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, which can cause damaging burns, hyperpigmentation, brown spots, premature aging, and skin cancer.
But if you have sensitive skin that’s prone to irritation or breakouts, you may be hesitant to slather sunscreen on your body—especially your face. Certain formulas that contain chemical filters, fragrances, preservatives, or essential oils and other extracts can aggravate a delicate complexion, says Marisa Garshick, M.D., a dermatologist at Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery (MDCS) in New York. This can present as redness, dryness, flaking, or general sensitivity, which could be a simple irritation to the product or a true allergic reaction to a specific ingredient.
Don’t give up hope yet, though. Many sunscreens are specifically formulated for sensitive skin, and it’s possible to find one that looks and feels good on your face and body.
How to choose the best sunscreen for sensitive skin
When in doubt, choose mineral: In general, people with sensitive skin have a bit more luck with a mineral or physical sunscreen compared to products with chemical filters (oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, and homosalate are popular examples in chemical formulations). Instead, look for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide on the label, “which protects by providing a physical shield between the skin and the sun’s harmful rays,” says Blair Murphy-Rose, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City and the Hamptons. By contrast, chemical filters absorb those UV rays and reduce the amount that penetrates the skin. However, both are considered safe to use by the American Academy of Dermatology.
Avoid fragrances: “Some sunscreens may be formulated with certain fragrances to provide a pleasing scent, but this can lead to irritation, redness, and sensitivity for certain people,” says Dr. Garshick. “For this reason, some patients may actually be able to tolerate a chemical filter-containing sunscreen, but not the fragrance or botanical that it is combined with.”
Go oil-free: Having acne-prone skin is no excuse to skip sunscreen, as blemishes and dark marks that are left behind after a breakout will only get darker and more noticeable with sun exposure, says Dr. Garshick. Instead, try an SPF that is oil-free and noncomedogenic, meaning its formula won’t clog the pores. Pay attention to the consistency, as liquids and gel-like formulas often feel lighter on oily skin.
Look for hydrators: If you’re on the opposite end of the spectrum and have dry, eczema-prone skin, let your SPF work double duty. “Some of the sunscreens on the market that target sensitive skin contain ingredients like colloidal oatmeal or ceramides to offer the same type of benefits as traditional moisturizers while protecting you from the sun,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York.
Finally, if you know your skin is finicky, always test a bit of the sunscreen you’d like to try on a separate part of your body before you apply it all over your face. Take a small amount and rub it in on your inner arm, for example. If you don’t have a reaction to it after a day or two, you should be OK to try it. An allergy patch test can also be performed at your dermatologist’s office if you think you’re having a consistent reaction to an ingredient you can’t pin down on your own.
Ready to keep that sensitive skin protected? Whichever you choose, make sure it has a minimum of broad spectrum SPF 30 for top-notch protection. Check out the following expert-approved sunscreens, which should be a solid place to start if you’re constantly irritated by SPF:
EltaMD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
EltaMD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
Just as the name suggests, this mineral sunscreen promises to leave your skin clear—of irritation, redness and breakouts. It’s formulated specifically for sensitive skin types, especially those prone to acne, discoloration, and rosacea. The lightweight formula also contains exfoliating lactic acid, nourishing vitamin E, plumping hyaluronic acid, redness-reducing niacinamide, and protective antioxidants, “all of which work together to create a noncomedogenic sun protector for sensitive and acne-prone skin,” says Dr. Murphy-Rose.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 50
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 50
You can tell by the reviews on this mineral sunscreen that it’s a crowd favorite. With SPF 50, it protects against both UVA and UVB rays with a non-greasy formula that doesn’t leave a white cast on your skin, making it especially ideal for deeper skin tones. It also contains an antioxidant complex that helps protect against free radical damage, notes Dr. Garshick, who adds that it’s suitable for use under makeup.
CeraVe Tinted Hydrating Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30
CeraVe Tinted Hydrating Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Dermatologists love CeraVe because the brand is built with sensitive skin in mind. This tinted mineral sunscreen is free of fragrances and parabens while packing all the good stuff: hyaluronic acid to attract moisture, niacinamide to even tone, and nourishing ceramides to help restore a damaged skin barrier.
Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 50
Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 50
If it’s good enough for your little one, it’s good enough for you! Dr. Murphy-Rose recommends this mineral sunscreen to her patients with ultra-sensitive skin. “With SPF 50, it packs powerful broad spectrum UVA/UVB coverage and contains naturally-sourced zinc oxide and soothing ingredients like oatmeal,” she says. “It is also tear-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, and non-greasy.”
Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen Sensitive SPF 30+
Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen Sensitive SPF 30+
This water-resistant and fragrance-free mineral sunscreen “contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in particle sizes that are too large to penetrate the skin, so it won’t cause irritation,” says Dr. Garshick. “It provides SPF 30 broad spectrum coverage and the bottle changes color when you are exposed to UV so you have a reminder when you need to apply.” Plus, this sunscreen can be used by babies over 6 months old, so the whole family can share the same bottle.
Vanicream Sunscreen Sport Broad Spectrum SPF 35
Dr. Garshick recommends this sunscreen to her patients with sensitive skin who are still active outdoors. “It’s water-resistant (for up to 80 minutes), provides SPF 35 broad spectrum coverage, and is free of preservatives, botanical extracts, essential oils, fragrance, parabens, and formaldehyde, which could cause irritation,” she says. “It is also noncomedogenic, so it won’t clog the pores.”
ISDIN Eryfotona Ageless Tinted Ultralight Emulsion Broad Spectrum SPF 50
ISDIN Eryfotona Ageless Tinted Ultralight Emulsion Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Not only does this SPF protect against UV damage, thanks to zinc oxide, but it also contains a blend of antioxidants, peptides, and DNA Repairsomes, which help repair existing sun damage and improve the appearance of skin tone, according to Dr. Garshick. “It rubs in easily and offers a tint to provide natural coverage as well and can also be used by those with oily skin since it is noncomedogenic,” she adds.
Cetaphil Pro Oil Control Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Cetaphil Pro Oil Control Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
If you prefer to use a moisturizer with SPF, this is a great choice. It helps cut back on oil, but hydrates enough while providing protection against the sun’s harmful rays. Its micropearl technology gives a matte finish that’s lightweight and non-greasy. Bonus: It leaves out parabens and fragrance.
CoTz Face Prime & Protect Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40
CoTz Face Prime & Protect Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40
“This sheer, very lightly tinted formula has a short ingredient list which helps to decrease the chance of a reaction,” says Dr. Sarkar. “For a mineral-only sunscreen with a sheer matte finish, it’s one of the least expensive per ounce, comes in small, easy-to-palm tubes and is easy to reapply without much product build-up.”
Jan Marini Physical Protectant Broad Spectrum SPF 45
Jan Marini Physical Protectant Broad Spectrum SPF 45
With an ever-so-slightly-there tint, this water-resistant sunscreen is ideal for those with sensitive skin who need slight coverage. Boston-based dermatologist, Papri Sarkar, M.D., loves that it adds a hint of sheen and evens out of the skin tone without any heaviness. “This also has iron oxide which is great for patients with melasma and green tea extract which is a light antioxidant,” she adds.
Avène High Protection Tinted Compact SPF 50
Avène High Protection Tinted Compact SPF 50
If you prefer to wear your sunscreen as part of your makeup routine, you might benefit from a compact option like this tinted SPF, which has a cream-to-powder formula. “It is great for reapplications and provides broad spectrum coverage without irritating the skin,” notes Dr. Garshick. “It is great for all skin types as it will have a mattifying effect and won’t leave the skin looking greasy.”
Jenn Sinrich is an experienced writer, digital and social editor, and content strategist covering health, fitness, beauty, and relationships. After a decade-long career in New York City working in the magazine industry and at a myriad of digital publications, Jenn returned to her hometown just north of Boston to pursue freelancing full-time.
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