
Instead look for hydrating ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid in sunscreens,” she says. “These ingredients are more likely to clog pores and flare up acne breakouts, particularly in warmer months. Shirazi points to thick ingredients like coconut oil, mineral oil, beeswax, and silicones.
#NON COMEDOGENIC SUNSCREEN FOR SENSITIVE SKIN SKIN#
Additionally, the ideal sunscreen for acne-prone and oily skin will have acne-fighting and anti-inflammatory ingredients, like lactic acid and niacinamide, Murphy-Rose adds.Īzadeh Shirazi, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist at and founder of La Jolla Dermatology in California, stresses niacinamide as a hero ingredient for acne-prone skin, since it helps with regulating oil production and calming inflammation and breakouts.Īs for what to avoid? Dr. “For oily and/or acne-prone skin, choose noncomedogenic, oil-free, fragrance-free, and lightweight sunscreens,” Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, board-certified cosmetic and medical dermatologist at Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York, tells Glamour. Best for Dark Skin Tones: Live Tinted Hueguard 3-in-1 Broad Spectrum Mineral SPF 30 Primer, $32.Best Matte Finish: Supergoop! 100% Mineral Mattescreen Sunscreen SPF 40, $38.Best Drugstore SPF: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion Sunscreen, $16.Best Tinted Sunscreen: Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF, $49.Best Overall: EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, $43.Glamour editors have done extensive testing so you don’t have to, and we asked leading dermatologists which types of sunscreen they recommend for patients with acne-prone skin-plus exactly what to look for while shopping for them. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be-at least not anymore. You can’t just saunter into Sephora and choose whichever sunscreen bottle or stick looks best on the shelf, since this skin type often needs a facial sunscreen that’s lightweight, yet simultaneously stable and long-lasting something that doesn’t melt down your cheeks and forehead the second you sweat or get greasy, but is still gentle enough to not aggravate the skin even more.Īs someone who falls into the acne-prone, greasy, and sensitive trifecta of skin types (I know, I’m #blessed), I’ll be the first to admit that finding that perfect match can feel exhausting. This process can cause irritation if you have sensitive skin, but does make the product much easier to apply and more comfortable to wear.Shopping for the best sunscreen for acne-prone skin is no simple task. Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, are formulated with ingredients such as oxybenzone and avobenzone, which absorb UV rays and convert them into heat. These ingredients sit on top of skin and form a barrier to reflect UV rays, which means they can leave a white residue and feel chalky but are better suited to sensitive skin. Physical sunscreens use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to protect skin. It’s also important to avoid formulas that are designed to be used on the body as these are typically too thick and heavy in texture for breakout-prone skin.Īnother important thing to consider when comparing formulas is whether the SPF used is physical or chemical.

The texture of the product is important to consider too – serums, gels, sprays, and light lotions will probably feel lighter, absorb faster, and be less greasy – ultimately, they will be more suited to your skin than thicker cream formulations. This isn’t a guarantee that it won’t cause breakouts but it’s much less likely to contribute to the congestion that leads to spots forming. Look out for formulas that are labelled as ‘oil-free’ or ‘non-comedogenic’, which means it’s been proven not to clog pores. When it comes to choosing a sunscreen for breakout-prone skin, you’re right, it’s not quite so simple as picking the first one you see. Additionally, if you’re using active ingredients like acids or retinol to target your acne, these can increase your skin’s sensitivity to UV, making SPF use (and regular reapplication!) even more important.


Wearing sunscreen when you have acne is still super vital, not only for protection, but because the inflammation caused by UV rays triggers inflammation – so can make breakouts worse and increase the potential of developing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Nowadays there are multiple types of formulas and product types which are much more suited to skin that’s prone to breakouts!

Fortunately, modern SPFs have come a long way from the greasy, pore-clogging, highly-fragranced formulas that previously dominated the market. Having lived with acne myself, I totally understand where your dislike of sunscreens comes from.
