Good face sunscreen for acne prone skin

Thankfully, there are plenty of sunscreens that are suitable for acne and sensitive skin, and that won’t leave you more oily than you were before.

First, make sure the sunscreen you're using on your face is actually formulated for the face, and not a body sunscreen, Dr. Farhang advises. She also suggests going with a mineral formulation.

"Chemical sunscreens don’t necessarily cause acne, but they do tend to be more irritating, especially for those on acne-treating products such as retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid," says Dr. Farhang.

When it comes to ingredients, look for bottles that are both oil-free and non-comedogenic, according to dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD. “Oil-free products tend to feel lighter on the skin, while non-comedogenic ones won’t clog pores and trigger breakouts,” he explains.

You'll want to search for a lighter, non-greasy formula: Dr. Farhang recommends sheer or almost liquid sunscreens for acne-prone patients. "Also, mineral powder based sunscreens are great for reapplication and soaking up that extra oil that has developed throughout the day," adds Dr. Farhang. And if you want to cover up any pre-existing breakouts, try a tinted sunscreen.

How do you prep acne-prone skin before putting on SPF?

If you're breaking out often, make sure you stick to a regular skincare routine before you slather on sunscreen.

Start your regimen with a gentle cleanser, followed by whatever acne medication you typically use, says Dr. Farhang. Then rub on the sunscreen, and top that with a moisturizer, so your skin doesn't get dry, especially out in the sun.

Sunscreen should shield you from problems, rather than create entirely new ones. That's the essence of the best sunscreen for acne-prone skin: UV protection that won’t clog pores and cause pimples the next day. 

There are a few key ways to know that a sunscreen will likely be safe for your acne-prone skin—we can’t say that every single product will be uniformly perfect for every single person out there, but these guideposts will work for most folks. Follow these steps, presented in order of importance, to get a complexion-friendly cover on your next beach day. Not everyone will need to follow all three tips, but if you experience any issues with your current product of choice, this list should help you trace your steps.

How to Find the Best Sunscreen for Acne-Prone Skin

1. Always choose an oil-free product

Many oils are among the most comedogenic (pore-clogging) ingredients. And while some are unlikely to cause breakouts (like argan oil), it’s still easiest to shut out all oils entirely. Many brands will specifically list their product as “oil-free”, which is a great starting point. You’ll notice that the oil-free products wear far lighter than other options, which is doubly good news for anyone with oily skin or who sweats profusely.

2. Target sunscreens specifically formulated for the face

If a sunscreen doesn’t specify whether it is for the face or body (or both), then it’s best to assume that the product is only formulated for the body. And when it comes to skincare, products formulated for the body aren’t as kind on the face. That’s because the skin on your face is far more sensitive and delicate than anywhere else—and far more prone to breakouts. So, while it’s ok to use facial sunscreen all over your body (just a little expensive), the opposite move is a little riskier. 

If you are prone to acne across your back and shoulders, too, then consider using a facial sunscreen in these (and any other acne-prone) body parts. You can also use facial moisturizers with SPF as your face shield. The key difference between these and face sunscreens is that the moisturizers also possess nourishing, hydrating properties while protecting skin from the sun. Typically, the sunscreen will give you better coverage than the moisturizer with SPF, but you’re unlikely to burn with the moisturizer so long as you follow the key rules of SPF application.

3. Choose a mineral option over a chemical one

If you want to take things one step further, choose a product using mineral-based sun defense (ideally zinc oxide, but also titanium dioxide) as opposed to chemical-based shields. The core chemicals in these products (avobenzones, benzophenones, oxyphenones, etc.) are often behind clogged pores on acne-prone skin.

The mineral options won’t absorb into your skin. (Chemical sunscreens  absorb the sun’s UV rays and neutralize it, while mineral shields rest atop the skin and bounce the rays away.) It can be annoying to find mineral-based options that don’t leave a white, chalky cast on the skin (especially for darker skin tones), but some brands are famous for their easy, cast-free application.

That being said, this third step in choosing a good sunscreen for acne-prone skin is more of a recommendation than a “must”. Some people prefer the lighter nature of chemical picks. 

The Best Sunscreens for Acne-Prone Skin

These five sunscreens pass the non-comedogenic test.

Blue Lizard SPF 30 oil-free sunscreen

$17

Amazon

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Oil-free and non-comedogenic, this mineral face sunscreen also hydrates skin with hyaluronic acid.

Apostrophe SPF 40 sunscreen

$27

Apostrophe

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Apostrophe makes products for sensitive and acne-prone skin, so naturally, this mineral-chemical hybrid sunscreen checks all of the boxes.

CeraVe SPF 30 oil-free facial moisturizer

$15

Amazon

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A mineral-chemical hybrid option, yes, but one that explicitly states it is non-comedogenic and oil-free. Bingo.

ZitSticka SPF 50 non-comedogenic sunscreen serum

$40

Amazon

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ZitSticka's entire range of products is non-comedogenic (it's their whole gig); thus, this chemical-mineral hybrid serum is perfect to layer over top your daily moisturizer. Don't be alarmed by the inclusion of tea tree oil or kakadu plum oil, either. Neither clogs pores, and the former even helps tone sebum production while neutralizing acne-causing bacteria.

Shiseido oil-free mineral face sunscreen SPF 42

$38

Sephora

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This sunscreen combines zinc oxide and titanium dioxide defenses in an oil-free, water-resistant formula. It simultaneously hydrates skin with hyaluronic acid.

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