If your skin turns red if you so much as look at a sunscreen, we feel your pain. You know you need to protect your complexion, but you’re not really psyched for all the stinging and discomfort that comes with it. What’s a sensitive skin girlie to do?
Definitely not skip daily SPF application, that’s for sure — sensitive skin is often more prone to irritation from sun exposure. Enter: the best sunscreens for sensitive skin, which deliver all the protection and none of the irritation for those with very reactive skin. Dermatologists thes number one fan of these gentle formulations, noting that sensitive skin needs formulas designed with delicate skin in mind.
That means soothing, barrier-supporting ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, or hyaluronic acid, says Morayo Adisa, MD, FAAD, a medical director at Dermatology Physicians Chicago. These help protect against UV damage while minimizing the risk of irritation. Mineral sunscreens in particular tend to be gentler on inflammation, acne, or very dry skin areas.
To find the formulas that protect without the pain, we tasked Glamour editors with testing top-rated options with sensitive skin in mind. Below, we included popular SPFs that work for every sensitive skin type, whether you want something tinted, antiaging, or hydrating enough to replace your moisturizer. The new La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVDefense Sunscreen SPF 50, which won out thanks to its milky-soft texture, blendability, invisible finish, and non-comedogenic formula.
When sunscreen actually works with your skin, wearing it every day becomes a whole lot easier. Our top sunscreens for sensitive skin Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVDefense Sunscreen SPF 50, $40 Best for Eczema: Mustela Baby Mineral Sunscreen (SPF 50), $22 Best for Redness: Beauty of Joseon Dayscreen Moisturizer (SPF 30), $20 $17 Best for Fine Lines: SKIN1004 Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum UV, $21 $17 Best for Acne-Prone Skin: EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide, $45 Best for Dry Skin: Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing UV LOCK SPF 45, $28 $22 Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVDefense Sunscreen SPF 50 What we love: What could improve: Lightweight texture It’s a bit runny, which makes it easy to use too much No tacky finish and dries invisible Non-comedogenic Great for acne-prone skin Rachel Nazarian, MD and board-certified dermatologist based in New York City is a big fan of La Roche-Posay sunscreens, particularly because they’re lightweight, feature an invisible finish, and as she puts it: they feel “cosmetically elegant” when applied onto the skin. The brand’s latest, which features the newly approved chemical filter BEMT (bemotrizinol) can be added to that derm super-fan list: it helps shield against UVA and UVB rays, applies completely clear, and feels like you’re wearing absolutely nothing.
It’s an easy choice to incorporate into your routine everyday, especially if your are prone to redness, stinging, or general irritation from traditional SPF filters. If that weren’t enough, it also features antioxidants to help protect skin from free radical damage caused by the sun and it’s non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog pores and cause breakouts. Best for Eczema: Mustela Baby Mineral Sunscreen (SPF 50) What we love What could improve Skin-soothing benefits Does take some time to rub in National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance Labeled as a body and face sunscreen Water-resistant for up to 80 minutes When skin is already compromised, like with eczema, a truly gentle formula matters.
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