Best Sunscreens for Acne-Prone Skin
Image | Product Name | Top Choices | Latest Pricing |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | 1. Civant SPF 50 Sunscreen | Amazing Product | Meladerm's Website |
![]() | 2. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Sunscreen | Our Favorite | Amazon |
![]() | 3. Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen | Great Deal | Amazon |
![]() | 4. MD Solar Sciences Mineral Creme | Amazon |
Protection from the sun is essential for all skin types. However, as with any other product, people who suffer from acne tend to have difficulty finding the right sunscreen. If you have acne-prone skin, the trial-and-error process of finding a sunscreen that suits you can be very frustrating since even the best-rated ones can cause severe flare-ups. One disappointment after another can tempt you to just give up entirely and skip sunscreen altogether, but don’t! Believe it or not, protecting your skin from sun damage will help improve the condition of your acne. You just need some direction in finding the right one.
Benefits of Sunscreen on Acne-Prone Skin
1) Helps retain moisture.
Sun exposure can damage your skin, dry it up, and weaken its ability to hold moisture. That leads to excessively dry skin, which makes you more susceptible to a variety of skin conditions. When you’re prone to acne, that might trigger a response to overcompensate the dryness with excessive oil production. Consequently, you’ll suffer from more frequent and more severe breakouts. By protecting your skin from the sun, you’re also protecting yourself from flare-ups.
2) Minimizes free radical damage.
Apart from drying up your skin, excess exposure to the sun can lead to free radical damage. When your skin cells are exposed to too much UV rays from sunlight, it triggers an inflammatory response. But when you have acne, you’re already battling inflammation in the first place. So, further inflammation could lead to more severe acne flare-ups or even worse skin conditions.
3) Prevents acne scar darkening.
It’s a common myth that exposing acne flare-ups to the sun will help it dry more quickly. Others, on the other hand, believe that getting a tan will help camouflage the appearance of acne scars. But the truth is, sun exposure causes all types of skin to darken. You can’t really select which parts of your face you want to darken and which to keep the same shade. So, as the rest of your face becomes darker, so do your scarring, which just makes everything look worse. It’s a better choice to protect your scars from sun damage to keep it healthy and encourage rejuvenation.
How to Choose a Sunscreen When You Have Acne
These are excellent properties to look for in a sunscreen no matter what skin type you have but most especially when you’re prone to acne:
1) Non-comedogenic
This is perhaps the most important property to look for in a sunblock, especially when you suffer from acne. Many will recommend oil-free products, thinking that’s enough to keep from aggravating acne. But, many non-oil ingredients can cause breakouts. For example, a product containing lanolin could be oil-free but could still cause pores to clog and acne to flare up. So, to really avoid clogging, look for products that are labeled non-comedogenic rather than just oil-free.
2) Type of protection
Generally, there are two types of sunscreens: chemical sunscreens and physical sunscreens. Chemical sunscreens are absorbed by the skin and work by scattering UV rays so as not to cause damage. On the other hand, physical sunscreens sit atop the skin to create a barrier that should filter out both types of UV rays. When you’re prone to acne, you’ll need to choose between the two types carefully. Physical sunscreens are not absorbed by the skin and, therefore, are less likely to cause flareups. But, you’ll need to apply these products generously and more frequently.
3) Broad-spectrum
There are two types of UV rays to protect your skin from: UVA and UVB. UVB mostly affects the epidermis, which is the top layer of the skin. It is the type that is linked to most skin cancers. UVA is also linked to cancer, but to a lesser extent. It affects the dermis, which is the most substantial part of the skin. Early sunscreen formulations were developed to protect only from UVA. So, for ideal protection, choose a broad-spectrum product, which would shield your skin from both UVA and UVB.
4) Sweat-proof
For daily use, you probably won’t need a waterproof sunblock. But, it’s best to choose one that will stay on your skin even when you’re sweating. So, look for formulations that are sweat-proof or water-resistant. This is especially important if you live an active lifestyle. But if you don’t sweat too much throughout the day, you don’t really need to make this property a priority.
Best Sunscreens for Acne-Prone Skin
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Sunscreen
The La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin sunscreen gives you SPF 60 broad-spectrum protection and is infused with antioxidants to further keep free radical damage at a minimum. It is a chemical sunscreen that uses Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, and Octocrylene as its active UV-blocking ingredients. But, it is oil-free, non-comedogenic, paraben-free, and fragrance-free and so it is safe for use by people who are prone to acne. Among its most important benefits is that it goes on matte and has a dry-touch feel. Additionally, it is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen
The Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen offers SPF 50 broad-spectrum protection. It’s a chemical sunblock that uses Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene, and Oxybenzone but was explicitly formulated to minimize the risk of breakouts. Its texture is very light and offers a shine-free finish. Plus, it is oil-free, non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
MD Solar Sciences Mineral Creme
The MD Solar Sciences Mineral Creme provides SPF 50 broad-spectrum UV protection. It is a physical sunblock formulated with Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. To minimize photoaging and free radical damage, it is enriched with antioxidants from vitamin C, cranberry extract, pomegranate extract, and green tea. Additionally, it is non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
Elta MD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen
The Elta MD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen is both a physical and chemical sunscreen formulated with both Zinc Oxide and Octinoxate. It offers SPF 46 broad-spectrum protection and is oil-free, non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, and paraben-free. Although it is not water-resistant, it is especially beneficial for people with acne-prone skin because it contains niacinamide, lactic acid, and hyaluronic acid. Additionally, it is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation, which has deemed it safe and effective for daily use.
Derma-E Sun Protection Mineral Powder
The Derma-E Sun Protection Mineral Powder can be used on its own or as added protection. It is a tinted powder that gives you a matte, flawless look while offering SPF 30 broad-spectrum protection. Its active ingredients include non-nano Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. Additionally, it is infused with green tea, vitamin E, and chamomile to help calm and protect sensitive and inflamed skin. The best part is that it comes in a handy container with a built-in brush, so you can apply it over your makeup and look refreshed at any time.
How to Apply Sunscreen When You Have Acne
- Wash your hands thoroughly.
- Pour about a tablespoon of product onto the palm of one hand.
- Use the fingers on your other hand to apply the product in dots all over your face and neck.
- With both palms, use short and gentle strokes to spread the sunscreen evenly. Pressing hard onto your skin and using long strokes tend to cause acne flare-ups.
- When you have even coverage and the sunblock is no longer visible anywhere on your face and neck, you may wash your hands and allow your face to dry.
After trying product after product, it’s completely understandable for you to be frustrated in your search for a facial sunblock that doesn’t aggravate your acne. But armed with this information on what to look for, how to apply it, as well as the top-rated products among other acne sufferers, you should be able to find the right sunscreen for our acne-prone skin.