You’ve likely heard it time and time again: Don’t skip sunscreen if you want to prevent dark spots, sun damage and signs of aging. But there’s one caveat: thick formulas can congest your pores, which may lead to pimples. Still, wearing sunscreen daily is essential, especially if you use products that treat acne, like retinol, Accutane and alpha-hydroxy acids.
“Many acne medications make your skin sensitive to sunburn,” says Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital. “The right sunscreen can give a mattifying effect and protect the skin without worsening breakouts.”
SKIP AHEAD The best sunscreen for acne-prone skin
I talked to dermatologists about how to buy the best sunscreen for acne-prone skin and their favorite options from brands like EltaMD, Neutrogena and La Roche-Posay. I also rounded up sunscreens NBC Select staff swear by while dealing with breakouts.
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How I picked the best sunscreen for acne-prone skin
If you have acne-prone skin, experts told me to prioritize the following while shopping for sunscreen.
- Formula: The best sunscreens for acne-prone skin have noncomedogenic formulas, meaning they won’t clog pores, says Dr. Robyn Gmyrek, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City. Also look for oil-free and fragrance-free options.
- Ingredients: Pay attention to the active and inactive ingredients in sunscreen, both of which can contribute to breakouts and clogged pores. Those with acne-prone skin should avoid mineral and soybean oils, as well as emollient-rich ingredients like coconut, beeswax, lanolin and cocoa butter, says Dr. Jane Yoo, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon based in New York City. Stay away from silicones and sodium lauryl sulfates, too, says Dr. Patricia Wexler, a board-certified dermatologist at Wexler Dermatology in New York City.
- Type: If you have acne-prone skin, using a mineral sunscreen can help avoid breakouts and exacerbating active pimples, says Yoo. Mineral sunscreen contains zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide, and it sits on top of the skin to act like a shield against UV rays. This makes mineral sunscreen less likely to cause irritation for those with acne-prone skin compared to chemical sunscreen, which contains synthetic ingredients like oxybenzone, avobenzone and octinoxate that the skin absorbs, says Yoo. These chemicals help turn UV rays into heat that’s dissipated from the skin. That doesn’t mean you can’t wear chemical sunscreen if you have acne-prone skin — you can, but look for options that are specifically designed for those who deal with breakouts. Some sunscreens are mineral-based, which means they contain mineral and chemical active ingredients. Overall, as far as acne-prone skin goes, mineral is best, mineral-based is second best and chemical is at the bottom of the list, dermatologists told me.
- Protection level: The face sunscreen you apply daily should have a SPF rating of at least 30 and offer broad-spectrum protection, meaning it shields you from UVA and UVB rays, says Dr. Dina Strachan, a board-certified dermatologist at Aglow Dermatology in New York City. This is in line with the American Academy of Dermatology Association and the Skin Cancer Foundation’s recommendations.
- Water resistance: Wearing a water-resistant sunscreen is especially important if you’re sweating or spending time in water. You can find out whether a sunscreen is water-resistant, and if so, how long it’s water-resistant for, by reading its label.
The best sunscreens for acne-prone skin
All of the sunscreens below have a SPF rating of at least 30 and offer broad-spectrum protection. They're either recommended by dermatologists or NBC Select staff who have acne-prone skin.
Best overall: EltaMD UV Clear Sunscreen SPF 46
- Tinted option available
- Transparent finish
- Safe for sensitive skin
- Chemical active ingredients
- Not water-resistant
EltaMD’s fragrance-free, oil-free sunscreen is a top pick among many of the dermatologists I spoke to, including Zeichner, Yoo and Wexler. It contains zinc oxide, a mineral UV blocker that offers a soothing effect on the skin, says Zeichner. It’s also made with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, two hydrating ingredients.
The sunscreen leaves a transparent finish on skin and is safe for those with acne-prone skin, sensitive skin, rosacea and dark spots, according to the brand. In addition to its clear formula, EltaMD sells a tinted version of this sunscreen, which offers SPF 40 . Cory Fernandez, NBC Select commerce editor, uses it daily.
SPF: 46 | Type: Mineral-based | Water-resistant: No
Best tinted: Tower 28 SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen
- 17 shades available
- Reef-safe
- Buildable coverage
- Not water-resistant
I’ve struggled with cystic acne for my entire adult life and have been using prescription acne medication for about four years. Tower 28’s reef-safe, fragrance-free tinted sunscreen is my go-to for daily UV protection. It offers light to medium coverage, which tones down redness and reduces how noticeable my acne and acne scars are. The SPF has also never irritated my sensitive, combination skin or worsened breakouts.
The sunscreen (from one of our favorite AAPI-owned brands) is made with non-nano zinc oxide and soothing aloe vera, plus it’s approved by the National Eczema Association. It comes in 17 shades and has a natural finish — it’s not too dewy that it makes me look oily, and it’s not too matte either. One tube lasts me months since I only need to use a little sunscreen at a time.
SPF: 30 | Type: Mineral | Water-resistant: No
Best moisturizer with SPF: CeraVe Am Facial Moisturizing Lotion with SPF
- Doubles as a moisturizer
- Pump dispenser
- Clear finish
- Chemical active ingredients
- Not water-resistant
Certain acne medications can be drying, so using a sunscreen that doubles as a moisturizer helps combat flakey, dull skin and cut down on your skin care routine. Strachan recommends CeraVe’s moisturizing SPF for daily use. It’s made with ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, and is oil-free and fragrance-free. The sunscreen offers a clear finish.
SPF: 30 | Type: Mineral-based | Water-resistant: No
Best matte: Supergoop! Mineral Unseen Sunscreen
- Lightweight
- Sheer, matte finish
- Doubles as a primer
- Light smell
I give my skin a break from makeup a few days a week, and instead of applying my tinted sunscreen, I use this one from Supergoop. It’s so lightweight that I forget I’m wearing it and it has a matte finish.
The sunscreen is white when it comes out of the tube, but it’s blendable and becomes totally sheer as I rub it into my skin. It also has a light smell due to the zinc oxide and titanium dioxide it’s made with — the smell goes away quickly, in my experience, and its formula is fragrance-free overall. While I don’t wear makeup on top of this sunscreen, it doubles as a grippy primer.
SPF: 40 | Type: Mineral | Water-resistant: 40 min.
Best powder: Brush on Block Translucent Mineral Powder Sunscreen SPF 30
- Tinted option available
- Refillable
- Doubles as a scalp sunscreen
- Nothing to note at this time
SPF powder is a great option for those with acne-prone, oily skin, says Dr. Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist. “It absorbs excess oil, so it serves a dual purpose as a finishing powder, actually extending the life of your makeup and providing sun protection,” she says. This SPF from Brush on Block is available as a translucent powder or in a Touch of Tan shade. The built-in brush has a twist-open feature that ensures powder is only released when you want to use it. The brush is also refillable — when it runs out of powder, you can purchase refills online. In addition to a face sunscreen, Brush on Block’s powder makes a great scalp sunscreen.
SPF: 30 | Type: Mineral | Water-resistant: Up to 80 min.
Best mineral: Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen
- Matte finish
- Serum-like texture
- Moisturizing
- Rub in to reduce white cast
Cetaphil’s mineral sunscreen is another one of Strachan’s favorites for acne-prone skin. It’s a basic, no-frills option you can wear on its own or under makeup. The reef-safe, fragrance-free sunscreen is made with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. It offers a lightweight matte finish — the brand describes the SPF’s texture as serum-like. The sunscreen also has vitamin E in its formula to moisturize skin.
SPF: 50 | Type: Mineral | Water-resistant: 80 min.
Best for dark skin tones: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Light Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF 60
- High SPF rating
- Oil-free
- No white cast
- Chemical formula
Ashley Morris, NBC Select associate SEO reporter, says this sunscreen doesn’t make her acne-prone skin greasy.
“The texture is so lightweight that it blends in well without giving me any added shine,” she says. “It also gives me a chance to use some of my more dewy moisturizers underneath.” The formula contains silica, a powder that absorbs excess oil. Morris also appreciates that the bottle is a portable-size so she can bring it with her for constant reapplication.
SPF: 60 | Type: Chemical | Water-resistant: 80 min.
Best drugstore SPF: Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen SPF 50
- Three SPF ratings available
- Matte finish
- Oil-free
- Chemical formula
Zeichner recommends this chemical sunscreen from Neutrogena because it’s specifically formulated for acne-prone skin. It’s made with avobenzone, an organic sunscreen filter that’s “extremely” effective in providing broad-spectrum UV protection, he says. The sunscreen has a matte finish, and it’s oil-free and fragrance-free.
SPF: 30, 50 and 55 | Type: Chemical | Water-resistant: Up to 80 min.
Best for oily skin: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60
- High SPF rating
- Oil-free
- Reduces shine
- Chemical formula
“This sunscreen keeps skin dry, even in heat and humidity, making it great for oily, acne-prone skin,” says Wexler. It’s made with perlite and silica, lightweight powders that help absorb excess oil on skin and reduce shine, according to La Roche-Posay. The oil-free, fragrance-free sunscreen has a non-greasy, dry touch texture.
SPF: 60 | Type: Chemical | Water-resistant: Up to 80 min.
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Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Joshua Zeichner is the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology and an associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.
- Dr. Hadley King is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York.
- Dr. Patricia Wexler is a board-certified dermatologist at Wexler Dermatology in New York City.
- Dr. Robyn Gmyrek is a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City.
- Dr. Jane Yoo is a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon based in New York City.
- Dr. Dina Strachan is a board-certified dermatologist at Aglow Dermatology in New York City.
Why trust NBC Select?
Zoe Malin is an associate updates editor at NBC Select who writes about skin care, including articles on ingrown hair, razor burn, tinted sunscreen and sunburns. For this article, she interviewed six experts about the best sunscreen for acne-prone skin. Using their guidance, Malin put together a list of products dermatologists recommend and those NBC Select staff have tested.
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