Keep breakouts at bay with picks from EltaMD, Neutrogena, CeraVe, and more
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, you should be wearing SPF every day, year-round, even if you only spend a few minutes outside. While we realize some folks resist this crucial skincare step for fear it’ll cause breakouts, sun protection is nonetheless vital for the acne-prone set. The good news is that there are lots of fab formulas that not only won’t exacerbate the issue but might also help it improve.
So, what type of sunscreen is best for pimple prevention? “Ideally, you need to avoid heavy oils that can clog the pores (coconut oil, for example) and certain silicone derivatives such as dimethicone,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Martha H. Viera. Generally speaking, she tells Byrdie that oil-free, non-comedogenic, fragrance-free formulas fare better for those battling breakouts.
To create our shortlist of the best 21 sunscreens for acne we conducted hours of research. We did this in our Manhattan-based Lab and at home, testing a wide range of both chemical and mineral formulas in differing SPF levels. We also considered the active ingredients within them and the chemicals they left out such as parabens and sulfates. Our testers examined how each sunscreen felt on the skin, how easily they absorbed, and how they left blemish-prone skin feeling after application.
Finally, after consulting with a board-certified dermatologist, we narrowed down our list of top-rated options to give you the following best in show.
Best Overall: EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
When it comes to applying sunscreen on your face, a clear formula is clutch. That’s why we appreciate EltaMD UV Clear, which offers invisible, broad-spectrum protection from the sun’s harmful rays. During testing, we found it to have a lightweight texture and consistency that’s super easy to apply and absorbs in quickly. It also didn’t leave behind any white cast – just a gorgeous moisturized, healthy glow.
Dr. Viera is also a big fan of EltaMD for acne-prone skin. The exceedingly lightweight, fast-absorbing formula hydrates the skin with hyaluronic acid and leaves behind a sheer, shine-free finish. What’s more, this oil-free, non-comedogenic sunscreen calls on lactic acid to gently exfoliate and help prevent future breakouts.1
“This is easily the most non-irritating, absorbent, and low-maintenance facial sunscreen I’ve come across,” said our product tester. “It’s essentially a nice mid-range moisturizer that happens to have SPF 46.”
Best Overall, Runner Up: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40
Coming in a close second place as our overall favorite is Supergoop’s Unseen sunscreen. Its unique texture has the consistency of silicone primer, so it glides effortlessly over the skin. When testing in our Lab and at home, we found that it felt like it was sitting on the top of the skin like a barrier while spreading easily and not streaking. This also makes the skin feel very moisturized and prepped for makeup, but it works better if you allow it a few minutes to dry before applying foundation or tinted moisturizer. A little also goes a long way so a standard-sized tube should last you for quite a while. This is a particularly good choice if you exercise or swim frequently as it’s sweat and water-resistant for up to 40 minutes.
Type: Chemical | Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene | SPF: 40 | Size: 1.7 fl oz | Free Of: Oxybenzone, Para-Aminobenzoic acid (PABA), Anatase Titanium Dioxide and Octinoxate | Water-Resistant: 40 minutes | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Gel: Glossier Invisible Shield SPF 35
Glossier’s Invisible Shield boasts a brilliantly lightweight water-gel formula that absorbs instantly and plays well with makeup. Formulated for folks who dread wearing sunscreen, it goes on like a serum and won’t leave your face feeling greasy.
We tested it in our Lab and really liked its texture and overall feel on the skin. The recommended amount covers the face easily, gliding on well and sinking in quickly. It doesn’t leave behind any real glow to the skin so you may want to add a tinted moisturizer for that, but it does smell heavenly with a light citrus scent. Our only real complaint is that we’d like it to be available in a higher SPF for maximum UV protection.
Best Budget: CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 Face Lotion
You’ll be glad to have CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen in your bag if you have eczema. The non-comedogenic, fragrance-free lotion offers SPF 50 mineral protection while working to restore the skin’s natural barrier with essential ceramides and skin-soothing niacinamide.2
When testing it in our Lab, we loved its super creamy texture and found that the recommended amount covered the face and neck easily. As it’s a mineral sunscreen, it takes a bit more rubbing in, but it does totally sink in after approximately three minutes without leaving behind a white cast. If you have sensitive skin, you’ll also be reassured that it has no fragrance and caused no irritation to our testers’ faces.
Best for Dark Skin Tones: Black Girl Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Made for people of color by a woman of color, Black Girl Sunscreen is ideal for dark skin tones. The zinc-free formula moisturizes the skin and acts as a lightweight makeup primer or a standalone face lotion—no white cast in sight. We tested it rigorously in our Manhattan-based Lab and loved its lightweight, mousse texture that feels super moisturizing while melting into the skin almost instantaneously. It also has a subtle cooling effect on the skin that would be really refreshing on a hot summer day. We also found that it spread really easily onto the skin, covering the whole face and neck with the recommended teaspoon-sized amount of cream. Best of all, it leaves the complexion looking fresh, healthy, and glowing!
Best for Sensitive Skin: Hero Cosmetics Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30
A gem for acne-prone skin types that deal with sensitivity, Hero Cosmetics created the perfect mineral sunscreen for you. Its barely-there green tint counteracts any redness and can be used as a primer prior to applying make-up. The product is formulated without any fragrance or other irritating ingredients that could cause breakouts, and during testing, we found that it felt super light on the skin –almost invisible, in fact. It glides on and rubs in easily without leaving behind any grease or oil making it ideal for acne and blemish-prone skin types. Just be careful to blend it in completely otherwise we did find it can leave behind a slight white cast.
Best for Water Activities: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60
If you spend a lot of time doing watersports or swimming, you’ll know that the water reflects UV back at the skin twice making broad-spectrum sunscreen even more essential. This Dry Touch sunscreen from La Roche-Posay has a thick consistency that’s light and airy and soaks in well. This wouldn’t be our first choice for wearing beneath makeup as it does cause some pilling, but for water activity it’s ideal. You can see exactly where it’s been applied and it’s water resistant for up to 80 minutes. It’s also recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation so you can rest assured your skin is protected effectively before hitting the beach or pool.
Best Lightweight: Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++
If you’re looking for a cruelty-free sunscreen that’s also lightweight, then this one from Beauty of Joseon is our recommended pick. It contains 30% rice extract and grain fermented extracts to help moisturize and soothe the skin, but during testing, we also found that its texture absorbed and spread easily across the skin. It also didn’t go cakey or settle into fine lines which is always a bonus. It just needs a bit of time to dry before you go in with your BB cream or foundation.
Best Liquid: Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Mineral Milk Sunscreen
This mineral sunscreen from Summer Fridays is lightweight and easy to spread across the face and neck. During testing, we found its consistency to be very similar to Chanel’s Vitalumiere which goes on effortlessly while drying to a matte finish. It also has a milky texture and color that looks and feels invisible when layered beneath makeup. Word of warning: this dries quickly but you should have enough time to blend it into your face to ensure an even layer of protection.
Best Splurge: Dr. Rossi Derm MD The Day Formula
We tested Dr. Rossi Derm MD’s The Day Formula in our Lab, at home, and on our daily run to really put it through its paces. We chose it as our favorite choice for when you want to splurge due to its gorgeous matte finish and easy application. The texture of this cream absorbs easily and evenly and we didn’t find that it pilled or streaked – even when working up a sweat. The formula also contains niacinamide and titanium dioxide to help combat signs of photo-aging and prevent future damage.
Best Vegan: Cocokind Silk SPF
This hybrid chemical and mineral sunscreen feels amazing on the skin with a creamy, light consistency that’s owed to banana blossom (an ingredient rich in hydrating polysaccharides that help to support the skin barrier). It also absorbs quickly and leaves a healthy glow on the skin that looks beautiful alone or worn beneath makeup. During testing, we really enjoyed how soothing it felt upon application and its subtle scent that’s pleasant but not overwhelming for more sensitive noses. If you’re very active or like to swim, however, this sunscreen won’t be suitable as it’s not water or sweat resistant.
Best Cruelty-Free: Kinship Self Reflect Sport Sunscreen SPF 60
This mineral sunscreen from Kinship was chosen as our favorite cruelty-free formula due to its ability to be gentle to both our skin and the environment. It contains reef-safe mineral properties and left our most sensitive Lab testers with no irritation or dryness. What’s more, it has a really hydrating consistency and texture that makes it pleasurable to use while leaving a slightly blurred, matte finish. What’s more, it protects the skin using Non-Nano Zinc Oxide 22.4% that’s super gentle yet effective, plus the probiotic Kinbiome™ that promotes clear skin.
Best Multi-Tasking: Iris & Romeo Weekend Skin SPF 50 + Vitamin C + Glow
With SPF50+ protection, added vitamin C, and a hydrating, glowy finish, there’s so much to love about this sunscreen from Iris & Romeo. We tested it in our Lab to see how well it absorbed into the skin and left our skin feeling, and we’re pleased to report that it passed with flying colors. Not only does it contain serum-grade active ingredients such as vitamin C and niacinamide to neutralize free radicals, but it also sinks into the skin quickly and easily. We were also pleased to discover that it’s also water resistant – even though it doesn’t highlight this point on the packaging.
Final Verdict
The best sunscreen for acne-prone skin is EltaMD’s UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, a mineral-chemical hybrid boasting an invisible, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic formula. Coming in a very close second is Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 that has a unique texture that we totally fell in love with. However, CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 Face Lotion is an excellent budget-friendly option.
How We Tested
A large number of the sunscreens in our roundup was tested in our Manhattan-based lab and at home so that we could see how they fared in real life. Testing was undertaken by a wide range of women of different ethnicities, aged between 25 to 54. We tested formulas suited for acne and blemish-prone skin, while considering additional concerns such as dryness, sensitivity, and dullness. We also included sunscreens that were recommended by our experts or have received hundreds of five-star reviews online.
What to Look For in a Sunscreen for Acne-Prone Skin
Oil-Free Ingredients
Sounds obvious, but choosing an oil-free formulation is one of the easiest ways to make sure it won’t exacerbate or cause breakouts. Our favorite is Dermalogica Oil Free Matte Sunscreen SPF 30, though La Roche-Posay Anthelios Light Fluid Sunscreen SPF 60 is a great option if you want something with a higher SPF.
Non-Comedogenic Formula
This indicates that it is not supposed to clog pores, another key factor for those prone to acne or even just blackheads and whiteheads. ZitSticka MegaShade SPF 50 Sunscreen and Glossier Invisible Shield Daily Sunscreen are a couple of the best non-comedogenic options for acne-prone skin.
Broad-Spectrum Sun Protection
This is less about the oily skin side of things and more about the sunscreen part of things. You want to make sure the product you pick can shield your skin from both UVA and UVB rays, which usually means an SPF of at least 30. We suggest our Best Overall pick, the EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46);3 a “broad-spectrum” indication is proof that it does.
FAQ
What types of sunscreen are best for acne-prone skin?
To avoid clogged pores, Dr. Viera says, “It is best to look for oil-free or non-comedogenic products.” She also suggests looking for a mineral formula to avoid irritation, though everyone’s skin is different, even among the acne-prone camp.
Some mineral sunscreens can leave a white cast or a greasy residue, but there are many sheer, mattifying formulas on the market. Additionally, you can find mineral-chemical hybrids, which provide SPF protection from minerals such as zinc or titanium dioxide, as well as organic chemical compounds, like avobenzone, oxybenzone, and octocrylene.
What ingredients should you avoid in sunscreens for acne-prone skin?
Even if you have acne-prone skin, you should still use sunscreen—it is all about finding the right product for your skin type. According to Dr. Viera, oil-free formulas are ideal for those with acne-prone skin, but a small amount of plant-based oil may not be an issue for some people. “Chemical filters in the sunscreen, such as oxybenzone and octocrylene, [and] certain fragrances can also be irritating and may induce skin allergies,” she adds.
