We rounded up the best sunscreens for acne-prone skin. Here, find expert-approved picks from EltaMD, Cetaphil, Supergoop! and more.
Yes, you have to wear sunscreen even if you have acne! Sunscreen is an everyday thing, full stop. So, the best sunscreens for acne-prone skin will help you feel protected and ease your mind about further breakouts.
Yes, no matter what kind of skin you have—dry, oily, acne-prone—you need to apply sunscreen to help prevent skin cancer and skin aging. We get it, though. When you're prone to zits and breakouts, the thought of putting even more stuff on your face can be a little scary, making you worried it will break you out even more or irritate your existing zits. As you may already know, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying a broad-spectrum , water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every single day and reapplying it throughout the day, especially when you’re spending time outside and after swimming or sweating. In fact, acne-prone skin types should really focus on wearing sunscreen — both in the moment and in the future. “Acne-prone skin is particularly vulnerable to sun-related pigment changes,” explains Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Connecticut. “When a breakout heals, ultraviolet exposure can trigger post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation—those stubborn dark marks that linger long after the pimple is gone. Sunscreen helps prevent those spots from forming or getting darker,” she says, and can also protect sensitive, post-acne treatment skin by helping maintain the skin barrier itself. In addition, acne treatments and medications can make skin more sensitive to the sun, adds Caren Campbell, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in San Francisco. Read more: 14 Best Face Washes and Cleansers for Acne, According to Experts And if you've heard that the sun makes acne better, think again. While sun exposure can “temporarily” decrease inflammation in the short term, says Dr. Gohara, it increases pigmentation in the long run — not to mention raises your risk of skin cancer. “So while the sun might briefly quiet a breakout, it’s not exactly a healthy skincare strategy,” she shares. “Stick with proven acne treatments and sunscreen — your future skin will thank you. As I like to tell patients: let the sun light up your day, not your breakouts.” So what are the best sunscreens for acne-prone skin? We tapped a few dermatologists to share their go-to recommendations for the best sunscreens for acne-prone skin. Dermatologists love this sunscreen, and you will too! It's one of the most-recommended formulas for a reason. Dr. Gohara calls the product “beloved” by both doctors and acne-prone patients, noting the lightweight formula and inclusion of niacinamide as standouts. “Niacinamide is a multitasking ingredient,” she says. “It helps reduce redness, supports the skin barrier, and can even help regulate oil production, making it a great addition to sunscreens for breakout-prone skin.” All this box-ticking earns this EltaMD sunscreen our number-one spot. Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, octinoxate, niacinamide SPF: 46 Size: 1.7 fl. oz. Pros: Broad-spectrum, derm recommended, lightweight Cons: Higher price point Best Sunscreen for Oily Skin: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Face Sunscreen SPF 60 Oily skin types may not love the idea of slippery sunscreen adding to their oil issues, but there are plenty of formulas that offer oil control. Azadeh Shirazi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in La Jolla, California, likes this formula from La Roche-Posay, which she says is “designed for oily and acne-prone skin with a matte finish that helps control shine throughout the day.” Active Ingredients: Perlite, silica, La Roche-Posay thermal spring water SPF: 60 Size: 1.7 fl. oz. Pros: High SPF, oil control Cons: May be too drying for other skin types Eucerin's Clear Skin SPF 50 puts its target audience right in the product name to make shopping even easier. “This sunscreen was specifically designed with acne-prone skin in mind,” explains Dr. Gohara. It controls oil, absorbs quickly, and delivers broad-spectrum UV protection, she says. Done and done! Active Ingredients: 5 AOX Shield™, a complex featuring five antioxidants SPF: 50 Size: 2.5 fl. oz. Pros: Non-comedogenic, lightweight, absorbs oil Cons: May not be as easy to find as other drugstore options Best Lightweight Formula: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Invisible Gel Face Sunscreen SPF 40 If the idea of wearing layers of skin care and sunscreen stresses you out, try this two-in-one moisturizer and sunscreen from drugstore skin care brand Neutrogena. Dr. Gohara praises the “weightless gel texture that disappears into the skin, which is ideal for acne-prone teens who hate anything that feels heavy or greasy.” She also says it's easy to wear under makeup and doesn't leave any leftover residue. Active Ingredients: Vitamin E and Helioplex technology, which Neutrogena says protects from UVA and UVB radiation without breaking down in th SPF: 40 Size: 1.7 fl. oz. Pros: Ultra-sheer formula, easy to find at drugstores, fragrance free Cons: None to note Dr. Campbell loves a good sunscreen so much she made one of her own! This tinted mineral blend has a matte finish similar to a BB cream, she says, and is formulated with antioxidants vitamin C and polyphenols to “help calm inflammation and reduce redness,” plus dimethicone to “lock in moisture without clogging pores.” Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, green tea, resveratrol SPF: 50 Size: 1.9 oz Pros: With antioxidants, matte finish Cons: Tint may not work for all skin tones Best Tinted Sunscreen: Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50 Colorescience's Sunforgettable line, which includes a tinted sunscreen, gives skin a dewy finish while protecting from UVA/UVB rays as well as pollution, blue light, and infrared radiation. Dr. Campbell again spotlights dimethicone to help retain moisture. The tinted formula comes in six shades, from fair to rich deep, and offers buildable coverage. Active Ingredients: Niacinamide, iron oxides, bisabolol SPF: 50 Size: 1.8 fl. oz. Pros: Comes in five shades, has a soft demi-matte finish Cons: Higher price point Dr. Shirazi created this tinted BB cream with SPF protection for daily use, calling it “a great option for acne-prone patients who want coverage and protection in one step.” The lightweight tinted moisturizer hydrates, protects, and helps even skin tone; Dr. Shirazi says tinted sunscreens can be “more protective against acne scars and hyperpigmentation.” Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, hyaluronic acid SPF: 44 Size: 2.1 fl. oz. Pros: Moisturizes and leaves a glowy finish Cons: Higher price point Sunscreen ranges in price, but there are so many great drugstore options; we love Cetaphil DermaControl Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30. You can pick up this formula at the drugstore or grocery store and get a few months of use out of it. Besides being a great SPF, this sunscreen also claims to hydrate for 24 hours—although some reviewers did find it to be overly greasy. Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, Octisalate, Octocrylene SPF: 30 Size: 4 fl. oz. Pros: Great price, lightweight, moisturizing Cons: Too oily for some Best 3-in-1: Suntegrity Moisturizing Mineral Face Sunscreen and Primer This triple-threat product acts as a moisturizer, a primer, and an SPF—setting it apart from anything else on this list. Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide SPF: 30 Size: 1.7 oz Pros: 3-in-1, derm favorite, mineral, non-greasy Cons: Higher price point Best Unscented Sunscreen: Supergoop Mineral Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 Supergoop is one of the most popular sunscreen brands these days, and for good reason. We love this unscented mineral formula for everyday wear. Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide SPF: 30 Size: 1.7 fl. oz. Pros: Fragrance free, lightweight Cons: None to note The brand also makes a tinted version if you like a little more coverage. Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, niacinamide, photolyase SPF: 33 Size: 1.7 fl. oz. Pros: Crafted with skin-loving ingredients to brighten and hydrate Cons: Higher price point According to dermatologists, avoiding post-sunscreen blemishes comes down to choosing lightweight sunscreens with great ingredients.'Breakouts from sunscreen usually happen when formulas are very heavy or occlusive for someone’s skin type,” Dr. Gohara says. “Choosing lightweight, noncomedogenic formulas helps protect your skin without clogging pores.' Dr. Shirazi says, “If you’re prone to breakouts, you should be cautious with heavier ingredients like coconut oil or thick butters, which may trap oil in pores.' And remember, you need to reapply every two hours, especially if you're spending the day in the sun—or, after you sweat or swim. Oh, and make sure hats, sunglasses, and other sun protection are part of the equation, too. Some brands use acne-centric wording on their label to make it easy to scan while you're shopping. “Look for sunscreens labeled ‘clear skin’ or ‘oil control’ if you’re breakout prone,” shares Dr. Gohara. “They’re typically formulated to balance protection with lightweight, pore-friendly textures.” Mona Gohara, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and clinical professor at the Yale School of Medicine Department of Dermatology. Caren Campbell, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in San Francisco. Azadeh Shirazi, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of La Jolla Laser Derm in La Jolla, California.
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