If you have acne prone skin, you know the struggle of applying sunscreen only to break out in pimples almost immediately. Instead of protecting your skin, it irritates and inflames it, damaging your skin barrier and worsening your acne. So what’s the deal? Many ingredients used in common sunscreens don’t play well with sensitive skin. While other skin types can handle the active ingredients found in sunscreens, they wreak havoc on sensitive, acne prone skin. Daily sun protection is crucial for a healthy complexion, so finding the right sunscreen should be top priority. Wondering the best SPF for acne prone skin? Here’s what you need to know.
SPF & Breakouts: What’s the Deal?
Sun protection is imperative for skin health. Continuous sun exposure over the years can lead to sun damage, including fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, inflammation and redness, loss of elasticity, dry skin and uneven texture. Using daily sunscreen is one of the best things you can do to ensure your skin looks and feels its best and to prevent skin aging.
However, sunscreen is also one of the most common culprits for breakouts for sensitive skin. A number of the active ingredients used in popular sunscreens are irritating for acne prone skin, leading to inflammation, redness and breakouts. Acne occurs when hair follicles get clogged with oil, bacteria and dead skin cells. Using products that won’t clog your pores is crucial to keeping acne at bay and achieving healthy skin.
Finding the right sunscreen for your skin is very important. Not only does it protect your complexion, it also plays a role in managing and preventing further irritation and damage to the skin. SPF helps prevent UV rays from exacerbating acne, prevents post-acne hyperpigmentation, reduces inflammation and prevents scarring.
How to Prevent Breakouts When Wearing Sunscreen
- Check for non-comedogenic ingredients. This means that sunscreen is made with ingredients that won’t clog your pores.
- Opt for oil-free sunscreen. These formulas are less likely to contribute to oil build up and breakouts.
- Patch test your sunscreen. Before using a new sunscreen product, apply a small amount to an area of skin a few days in a row to check for any reactions.
- Choose a mineral formula. In terms of active ingredients, look for a mineral formula with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. They’re less likely to clog pores or cause irritation. They’re natural ingredients that block out both UVA and UVB rays.
- Look for calming, anti-inflammatory ingredients. These include vitamin E, colloidal oatmeal, aloe vera, green tea, and niacinamide. They help reduce redness and soothe irritation.
- Wash and exfoliate your face. Use a gentle cleanser to remove sunscreen at the end of the day and make sure to exfoliate regularly to prevent the buildup of dead skin cells that can clog pores.
9 Sunscreen Ingredients to Avoid if You Have Acne
- Oils like coconut oil, mineral oil and soybean oil
- Butters such as cocoa butter
- Waxes like beeswax and lanolin
- Silicones
- Chemical filters including oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, octocrylene and avobenzone
- Fragrance and essential oils
- Drying alcohols like isopropyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol
- Artificial preservatives, dyes and other chemicals
- Retinyl palmitate (vitamin A palmitate)
What’s the Best SPF for Acne Prone Skin?
1. EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 Face Sunscreen
This lightweight, oil-free sunscreen was made with acne prone skin in mind. It’s formulated with zinc oxide, helping to prevent breakouts while protecting the skin from UV rays. Niacinamide helps calm the skin, making it a go-to product for those with sensitive skin types prone to breakouts, rosacea and discolouration.
2. LANEIGE Hydro UV Defence Sunscreen SPF 50+
This is a moisture-based Korean sunscreen that provides UVA and UVB protection and helps soothe and hydrate the skin. It’s lightweight, doesn’t feel greasy and won’t leave a white cast on the skin. The formula contains hydro-ionized mineral water to retain moisture and centella asiatica to soothe the skin.
3. Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Sunscreen for Face SPF 60
Formulated with prebiotic oat, this sunscreen nourishes your skin, helping to keep it soft and healthy. It protects the skin from sunburn and signs of premature aging, providing broad spectrum UVA and UVB sun protection. Made without oils, parabens, phthalate, oxybenzone or dyes, it’s ideal for sensitive skin and provides water and sweat resistance for up to 80 minutes.
4. Kosas DreamBeam Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40
This sunscreen is hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and safe for sensitive skin. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, ceramides and peptides, it shields your skin from harmful UV rays while plumping, smoothing and firming your skin. Wear it on its own or as a lightweight makeup base- the subtle peachy pink tint corrects discolouration and redness, leaving your complexion hydrated and glowy.
5. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 30
Neutrogena’s mineral sunscreen is lightweight, fragrance free, and fast absorbing to leave the skin feeling nourished and clean. It’s ideal for sensitive skin and made with antioxidant vitamin E as well as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for powerful protection against UV rays. Use it daily to keep your skin protected for all your outdoor activities.
6. Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield SPF 50
This mineral formula SPF uses zinc oxide, iron oxide, antioxidants, and a patented Enviroscreen technology to protect against UV rays, blue light, pollution and infrared radiation. It’s a lightweight skin tint that comes in four different shades made with tone-adapting pigments that offer medium, buildable coverage with a natural finish. Enriched with antioxidants and hydrating ingredients, it’s a go-to skin protecting product.
If you struggle with acne prone skin and finding sunscreens that don’t break you out, try out these products for sensitive skin.
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