Dermatologists Say These Are the Best Sunscreens for Super Sensitive Skin

This article was medically reviewed by Caroline Chang, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and member of the Prevention Medical Review Board.

By now, you know the importance of applying (and re-applying) sunscreen. Doing so protects your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, which can cause damaging burns, hyperpigmentation, brown spots, premature aging, and skin cancer.

But if you have sensitive skin that’s prone to irritation or breakouts, you may be hesitant to slather sunscreen on your body—especially your face. Certain formulas that contain chemical filters, fragrances, preservatives, or essential oils and other extracts can aggravate a delicate complexion, says Marisa Garshick, M.D., a dermatologist at Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery (MDCS) in New York. This can present as redness, dryness, flaking, or general sensitivity, which could be a simple irritation to the product or a true allergic reaction to a specific ingredient.

Don’t give up hope yet, though. Many sunscreens are specifically formulated for sensitive skin, and it’s possible to find one that looks and feels good on your face and body.

How to choose the best sunscreen for sensitive skin

When in doubt, choose mineral: In general, people with sensitive skin have a bit more luck with a mineral or physical sunscreen compared to products with chemical filters (oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, and homosalate are popular examples in chemical formulations). Instead, look for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide on the label, “which protects by providing a physical shield between the skin and the sun’s harmful rays,” says Blair Murphy-Rose, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City and the Hamptons. By contrast, chemical filters absorb those UV rays and reduce the amount that penetrates the skin. However, both are considered safe to use by the American Academy of Dermatology.

Avoid fragrances: “Some sunscreens may be formulated with certain fragrances to provide a pleasing scent, but this can lead to irritation, redness, and sensitivity for certain people,” says Dr. Garshick. “For this reason, some patients may actually be able to tolerate a chemical filter-containing sunscreen, but not the fragrance or botanical that it is combined with.”

Go oil-free: Having acne-prone skin is no excuse to skip sunscreen, as blemishes and dark marks that are left behind after a breakout will only get darker and more noticeable with sun exposure, says Dr. Garshick. Instead, try an SPF that is oil-free and noncomedogenic, meaning its formula won’t clog the pores. Pay attention to the consistency, as liquids and gel-like formulas often feel lighter on oily skin.

Look for hydrators: If you’re on the opposite end of the spectrum and have dry, eczema-prone skin, let your SPF work double duty. “Some of the sunscreens on the market that target sensitive skin contain ingredients like colloidal oatmeal or ceramides to offer the same type of benefits as traditional moisturizers while protecting you from the sun,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York.

Finally, if you know your skin is finicky, always test a bit of the sunscreen you’d like to try on a separate part of your body before you apply it all over your face. Take a small amount and rub it in on your inner arm, for example. If you don’t have a reaction to it after a day or two, you should be OK to try it. An allergy patch test can also be performed at your dermatologist’s office if you think you’re having a consistent reaction to an ingredient you can’t pin down on your own.

Ready to keep that sensitive skin protected? Whichever you choose, make sure it has a minimum of broad spectrum SPF 30 for top-notch protection. Check out the following expert-approved sunscreens, which should be a solid place to start if you’re constantly irritated by SPF: