10 Best Sunscreens for Sensitive Skin, According to Dermatologists
By Sara Coughlin | Health and Beauty Editor at Self
If you’ve ever embarked on the journey that is finding the best sunscreens for sensitive skin (or even a half-decent one), you probably already know there are some products you need to avoid—fragrance-laden lotions, creams with irritating active ingredients, and sprays that sap moisture. Luckily there are still plenty of options that’ll fit right into your skin care routine. We spoke with board-certified dermatologists about what makes a sunscreen good for sensitive skin types and which products are worth a try.
The best sunscreens for sensitive skin
Below, we’ve selected the best sunscreens for sensitive skin, based on dermatologists’ recommendations and glowing reviews from SELF’s own Healthy Beauty Award testers.
EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 46
Best Overall
Pros: Formulated with sensitive skin in mind, good for acne-prone skin
Cons: On the pricey side
Blair Murphy Rose, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York, tells SELF that EltaMD is a great brand to try, noting that a lot of their sunscreens are made specifically for sensitive skin. “They provide excellent broad-spectrum protection, plus skin-soothing and healing ingredients like niacinamide and vitamin E,” she adds.
Active sun protection ingredients: octinoxate, zinc oxide | Fragrance-free: yes
Blue Lizard Sensitive Face Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30+
Best Drugstore
Pros: Relatively affordable, soothing formula
Cons: Some reviewers notice a white cast
“Blue Lizard Sensitive Sunscreen is a go-to for my babies, and it’s great for adults too,” Dr. Rose says. In addition to hydrating hyaluronic acid, it also contains green tea extract, which can help with redness, inflammation, and irritation.
Active sun protection ingredients: titanium oxide, zinc oxide | Fragrance-free: no added fragrance
E.L.F. Holy Hydration! Sunscreen Face Cream SPF 30
Best for Dry Skin
Pros: Highly moisturizing, relatively affordable
Cons: May feel too thick for some people
For a gentle, ultra-hydrating chemical sunscreen, try E.L.F.’s SELF editor–approved Holy Hydration! Face Cream. It has a nourishing but surprisingly quick-absorbing consistency, which means you can easily slather it on in the morning and head out the door—and still feel well-moisturized by the end of the day.
Active sun protection ingredients: avobenzene, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene | Fragrance-free: no
Bliss Block Star Daily Mineral Sunscreen
Best Lightweight
Pros: Good for oily and acne-prone skin, helps with uneven skin tone
Cons: Contains lavender oil (which may cause irritation for some)
Not only did Bliss’s Block Star Daily Mineral Sunscreen win a 2021 SELF Healthy Beauty Award, but it was also recommended to SELF by Joshua Zeichner, MD, the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. He liked its lightweight mineral formula and very slight tint because it protects the skin and evens out its tone all at once. And people with acne-prone skin will appreciate that the Block Star Daily Mineral Sunscreen also contains rose hip oil, which can help reduce inflammation and the appearance of scars for some people.
Active sun protection ingredients: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide | Fragrance-free: no
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Fluid Mineral Sunscreen
Best Fast-Absorbing
Pros: Lightweight formula, good for oily skin
Cons: Might not be nourishing enough for extra-dry skin
This broad-spectrum sunscreen from La Roche-Posay is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation, and it was previously recommended to SELF by Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City. She noted that the formula has a very thin, liquid consistency that helps it absorb more effectively. Plus it leaves a matte finish, which is a perk if your skin is on the oilier side.
Active sun protection ingredients: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide | Fragrance-free: yes
SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50
Best High-End
Pros: Blends well, a little goes a long way
Cons: On the pricey side
A little goes a long way with this mineral sunscreen from luxe (and derm-approved) brand SkinCeuticals. “It dispenses really easily and it blends in pretty well—plus a small amount shields the whole face,” David Kim, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology in New York City, previously told SELF. The elegant formula also contains the antioxidant vitamin E to soften skin and further protect it from the sun’s rays.
Active sun protection ingredients: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide | Fragrance-free: yes
Elta MD UV Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 50+
Best Stick SPF
Pros: Easy to apply, travel-friendly
Cons: Some reviewers report it feels thick on their skin
If you love the convenience of a solid sunscreen, EltaMD’s UV Stick is a great option (though Dr. Rose cautions that the friction from applying a stick sunscreen can be irritating to some people with sensitive skin). It’s non-comedogenic (meaning it is formulated to reduce the risk of clogged pores and breakouts), fragrance-free, and made with nourishing butters, oils, and waxes to help it glide onto skin easily.
Active sun protection ingredient: zinc oxide | Fragrance-free: yes
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50
Best Tinted
Pros: Lightweight, easy to layer
Cons: Thin consistency—might not feel as moisturizing as some would like
Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic in New York City, previously recommended this oil-free, sensitive-skin-friendly tinted sunscreen to SELF. It blends well, and—according to reviewers—it doesn’t cake, so you can wear it alone or under makeup.
Active sun protection ingredient: titanium dioxide | Fragrance-free: yes
Éminence No.0 Translucent Sun Defense Minerals
Best Powder
Pros: Good for oily skin, travel-friendly
Cons: Pricey, not a true alternative to facial sunscreen lotion
A powder sunscreen like this hypoallergenic, water-resistant option from Eminence makes it easy to reapply your SPF. And if you deal with oiliness, it’ll help your skin feel matte and less greasy throughout the day. It’s important to note that it can be tricky to tell if you’ve applied enough product when using a powder, and that powders tend to rub off faster than other types of sunblock, so dermatologists don’t consider powders a full replacement for regular old lotion SPF.
Active sun protection ingredient: zinc oxide | Fragrance-free: no
Versed Guards Up Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF 35
Best for Avoiding a White Cast
Pros: Blends well, good for dry skin
Cons: Some reviewers notice pilling
The Guards Up Daily Mineral Sunscreen from Versed won a 2021 Healthy Beauty Award, in part for its non-irritating active ingredient (zinc oxide), but also for its added moisturizers like glycerin, vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid. Plus our testers with darker skin tones found that it blended in easily, without leaving a white cast. If your skin is both dry and sensitive, give this quick-blending sunscreen a try.
Active sun protection ingredient: zinc oxide | Fragrance-free: no added fragrance.
What should you look for in a sunscreen that’s suitable for sensitive skin?
If you have sensitive skin, it’s not uncommon to struggle with finding a sunscreen that’s both effective and non-irritating, Divya Shokeen, MD, a board-certified medical, surgical, cosmetic dermatologist, and founder of Ocean Skin & Vein Institute in Manhattan Beach, California, tells SELF. Paying close attention to a product’s ingredient list and formula can make your search a little easier.
Ingredients
Chemical sunscreens (which prevent sunburns by absorbing and dissipating the heat from the sun’s ultraviolet, or UV, rays) contain active ingredients like oxybenzone or octinoxate that can be harsh on the skin, explains Dr. Shokeen. They may cause stinging, redness, and other signs of an allergic reaction, especially among people with certain skin conditions, including rosacea and eczema.
Alternatively there are mineral sunscreens, which Dr. Shokeen recommends for sensitive skin. Also known as physical sunscreens, these products actually block UV rays from penetrating the skin when applied properly, as SELF previously reported. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the two most common active ingredients in mineral sunscreens, and they’re considered non-irritating.
That said, you don’t have to count out all chemical options if that’s your preferred type. Dr. Shokeen says it helps to look for products with the active ingredient avobenzone, which is generally gentler and less likely to irritate sensitive skin than oxybenzone or octinoxate.
Finally, watch out for added fragrance, Dr. Rose says. Ingredients under the fragrance umbrella are common allergens or irritants that can cause or exacerbate a bad reaction to a new skin care product, and they go by many names. While you can look for products that are fragrance-free, this labeling can sometimes be misleading. A fragrance-free product can get away with having ingredients like certain essential oils if they’re not defined as a scent, so make sure to scan the ingredients label carefully for potential irritants.
Formula
The formulation of a sunscreen can also contribute to how it affects your skin, says Dr. Rose. Specifically, she notes that sprays usually contain more alcohol than heavier products like lotions, which can make them more drying and potentially more irritating. Creams, especially ones that contain added moisturizing ingredients like ceramides and oils, will feel gentler and more soothing on sensitive skin, according to Dr. Rose.
Even once you find a sunscreen that ticks these boxes and appeals to your personal preferences, it’s still a good idea to patch test it, Shari Sperling, DO, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Sperling Dermatology in Florham Park, New Jersey, tells SELF. Just rub a quarter-size thin layer on the inside of your forearm, reapply at least once (follow the reapplication instructions on the product’s label), and watch for reactions like itching, swelling, inflammation, or a rash, which can indicate it’s not the right formula for you.