These Dermatologist-Approved Sunscreens Are Great for Sensitive Skin

LOOK, WE get it: wearing sunscreen in general is never very fun. But if you have sensitive skin, sunscreen may cause more issues than just that goopy, greasy feeling or chalky white cast. In some cases, the ingredients in sunscreen can irritate sensitive skin or even cause allergic reactions. If that is you, we get it, though it in no circumstance means that you should forgo wearing facial sunscreen at all. It just means you may need to switch up what kind you use.

In general, “we tend to overreact about the true allergic potential [of sunscreen],” says dermatologist Robert Finney, MD, “but chemical sunscreens have a slightly higher incidence of allergies.” For reactive or sensitive skin, Dr. Finney recommends using mineral sunscreens instead, since they sit on top of the skin instead of being absorbed into it, which helps minimize the risk of reactions. He also recommends looking for fragrance-free and non-comedogenic options (meaning they won’t clog your pores causing breakouts). The most important thing when it comes to sunscreen is finding one that you can tolerate wearing every day (especially on your face), which may take some trial and error. As for where to start, use this list as your jumping off point.

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