Shopping for the best sunscreens for acne-prone skin is no simple task. This skin type often needs a facial sunscreen that’s lightweight yet simultaneously stable and long-lasting—something that doesn’t melt down your cheeks and forehead the second you sweat or get greasy, but is still gentle enough to not aggravate your complexion even more.
As someone who falls into the acne-prone, greasy, and sensitive trifecta of skin types (I know, I’m #blessed), I’ll be the first to admit that finding that perfect match can feel exhausting. You can’t just saunter into Sephora and choose whichever sunscreen bottle or stick looks best on the shelf. Fortunately Glamour editors have done extensive testing so you don’t have to. We asked leading dermatologists which types of sunscreens they recommend for patients with acne-prone skin—plus exactly what to look for while shopping for them.
The best sunscreens for acne-prone skin
What sunscreen is good for acne-prone skin?
“For oily and/or acne-prone skin, choose noncomedogenic, oil-free, fragrance-free, and lightweight sunscreens,” Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, board-certified cosmetic and medical dermatologist at Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York, tells Glamour. Additionally, the ideal sunscreen for acne-prone and oily skin will have acne-fighting and anti-inflammatory ingredients, like lactic acid and niacinamide, Dr. Murphy-Rose adds.
Azadeh Shirazi, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist at and founder of La Jolla Dermatology in California, stresses niacinamide as a hero ingredient for acne-prone skin, since it helps with regulating oil production and calming inflammation and breakouts.
As for what to avoid? Dr. Shirazi points to thick ingredients like coconut oil, mineral oil, beeswax, and silicones. “These ingredients are more likely to clog pores and flare up acne breakouts, particularly in warmer months. Instead look for hydrating ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid in sunscreens,” she says. “I favor mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide for acne-prone skin, since zinc is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and less likely to cause a reaction disruption of the skin barrier.”
Whether you need SPF to wear under makeup or a lightweight tinted moisturizer with SPF, we’ve got you and your skin covered—and protected from UV rays. Ahead, see dermatologists’ and Glamour editors’ top picks for the best sunscreen for acne-prone skin.
