Using sunscreen when you have sensitive skin can feel like a catch-22. Slather one on and you might experience irritation and redness, or exacerbate rosacea. Skip it, and you expose yourself to damaging free radicals and UV rays and potentially even skin cancer down the road. Thankfully, there are now sunscreens for sensitive skin formulated to offer sun protection while also keeping your skin happy.
Meet the Expert
Margarita Lolis, M.D., is a board-certified and fellowship-trained dermatologist and Mohs surgeon who focuses on cosmetic and medical dermatology as well as surgically removing skin cancers with Mohs Micrographic Surgery.
How SPF impacts sensitive skin
For those with sensitive skin, sunscreen may lead to redness, burning, itching, and stinging after applying it, says Hackensack, NJ dermatologist Margarita Lolis, M.D. And it’s not just passing discomfort, either. “Patients that have a history of eczema or extremely sensitive skin can experience something called irritant contact dermatitis, which is a rash triggered by exposure to irritating substances, most often chemicals,” she says.
But you don’t have to have capital-S sensitive skin to be sensitive to sunscreen. Depending on other products you’re using in your routine, be it chemical exfoliants or retinoids, you could unintentionally make skin more sensitive to the chemicals found in some sunscreens (more on that in a bit). “When you strip away the acid mantle—the very important protective film that is on the top outer layer of the skin—ingredients that may not have bothered you before can now make you experience burning and itching since there is nothing there to protect it,” says Dr. Lolis.
FYI: chemical vs. physical sunscreens
Before looking for the best sunscreen for sensitive skin, however, you'll first want to learn the difference between chemical sunscreen and physical sunscreen. Chemical sunscreens work within your skin. The sunscreen sinks in, and the active ingredients absorb UV rays, converting the rays into heat and expelling them from the body. Chemical sunscreens can offer super high sun protection factors (SPF), sink in quickly, and don’t leave behind a chalky white cast on dark skin tones. However, they can also irritate sensitive skin. “Avoid products that contain chemical blockers like oxybenzone,” says Dr. Lolis. “These tend to be irritating for people with more sensitive skin.”
The other option is a physical sunblock (aka mineral sunscreen). This type of sunscreen uses zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or both mineral blockers to provide protection. Unlike chemical sunscreen that works within the skin, physical sunscreens provide sun protection by sitting on top, reflecting UV rays away from your skin. The downside to mineral sunscreens? The white zinc oxide and titanium dioxide particles can leave behind a white residue (although mineral formulations have come a long way). “While some patients can have a sensitivity to titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, that is a very small percentage of the population,” says Dr. Lolis. “The best protection comes from those two physical blockers.”
Now that you have all this SPF knowledge, let's get to chatting about some of the best sunscreens to add to your skincare routine, and what makes them so great:
1. Best everyday sunscreen:
LA ROCHE-POSAY Anthelios Mineral Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 50
Despite being a mineral sunscreen, this broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion (which means it defends against both UVA and UVB rays) has a non-greasy finish without a white cast. Designed specifically to serve as a sensitive-skin sunscreen, the formula delivers SPF 50 along with a matte finish, and packs an antioxidant complex that offers extra protection to skin. It's also fragrance-, oil-, and paraben-free, not to mention allergy tested.
2. Best sunscreen stick:
NEUTROGENA Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen Stick SPF 50
A good sign a product is safe for sensitive skin? It’s made for babies. This option is hypoallergenic, oil-free, and the convenient stick means you don’t have an excuse not to reapply, either.
3. Best water-resistant:
SHISEIDO Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion WetForce for Sensitive Skin and Children SPF 50+ Sunscreen
Not only is this high-SPF sunscreen designed for sensitive skin and kids, but it also has WetForce technology, so it gets stronger—not weaker—when exposed to water. (Psst: You still need to reapply when you towel off.)
4. Best for eczema:
EAU THERMALE AVÈNE Solaire UV Mineral Multi-Defense Sunscreen SPF 50+
There’s sensitive skin, and then there’s skin with eczema—and those who experience the latter know how hard it can be to find non-irritating skincare products. Luckily, this mineral sunscreen SPF 50 is approved by the National Eczema Association, and is also remarkably lightweight and fast-absorbing.
5. Best for oily skin:
ELTAMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
Oily skin types, you’re in luck: This clear formula defends against the sun’s rays without feeling heavy or looking greasy. In fact, it’s infused with lactic acid, which helps control shine and keep pores clear. This fragrance-free formula also offers sodium hyaluronate (a form of hyaluronic acid) to add some weightless moisture, too.
6. Best tinted sunscreen:
MURAD City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 | PA++++
Even though physical sunscreens have come a long way, it can still be hard to find one that doesn’t leave a white cast. This version has a slight tint that blends like a dream with most skin tones, and protects against blue light and free radical damage in addition to sun damage.
7. Best calming sunscreen:
AVEENO Protect + Hydrate Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Body Lotion SPF 60
Looking red? Got an itch? Go for a soothing sunscreen like this oxybenzone-free formula, which instead offers prebiotic oat extract to quell inflammation and balance the skin barrier. It’s also moisturizing enough to double as your usual body lotion, too.
8. Best body sunscreen:
SUPERGOOP! PLAY Everyday Lotion SPF 50 with Sunflower Extract Sunscreen
While this is a chemical sunscreen, it’s free of oxybenzone—and full of antioxidant-rich sunflower and rosemary lead extracts. It sinks in ASAP and dries to an invisible finish, but the best part? You can get it in a generously sized jug that allows you to slather it on.
9. Best under makeup:
EVERYDAY HUMANS Rose From Above SPF 35 Sunscreen Base
This calming formula has rose extract, vitamin E, and aloe vera blended right in to moisturize, and leaves skin with a matte finish and prepped for makeup. Bonus: It’s also great for acne-prone skin!
10. Best moisturizer with SPF:
PURLISSE BEAUTY Blue Lotus Essential Daily Moisturizer SPF30
This SPF 30 lotion and face sunscreen comes from PURLISSE, a brand that focuses specifically on creating products that are safe for sensitive skin. This everyday sunscreen is light enough to act as a non-comedogenic facial moisturizer but can still powerfully protect against UVA and UVB rays. The formula features vitamin E, a strong antioxidant, as well as algae extracts to calm skin and prevent fine lines.
"I took this moisturizer with me on vacation to Arizona," says Ipster Travelchic1975. "It was moisturizing enough for my dry skin in the desert air as part of my AM routine. It did not have a white cast on my skin, and it protected my face/neck from sunburn."
11. Best sheer formula:
COOLA SUNCARE Full Spectrum 360° Mineral Sun Silk Crème Organic Sunscreen SPF 30
This oil-free sunscreen is made using zinc oxide and COOLA's plant-based full spectrum 360° complex. The super small zinc particles offer strong protection from harmful UV rays and also help to create a more transparent formula, therefore eliminating that dreaded white cast.
Meanwhile, the full spectrum 360° complex (a blend of antioxidants, plant stem cells, and niacinamide) protects against stressors like HEV light, IR, and pollution. Niacinamide also treats breakouts, making it a great pick for anyone with acne-prone skin. In addition to being fragrance-free, this sunscreen is also vegan and paraben-free.
12. Best clean sunscreen:
FARMACY Green Defense Broad-Spectrum SPF 30 Daily Defense Sunscreen
Here is a mineral sunscreen that uses both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Together they create an invisible shield, blocking UVA and UVB rays from being absorbed into the skin. Titanium dioxide, in particular, is great for redness-prone skin and is super gentle around the eyes, making it a great pick if you're looking for a facial sunscreen. This lotion will hydrate the skin while also protecting it against the blue light emitted from things like phones, tablets, with the use of marigold and black chokeberry extracts, two natural antioxidants.
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