By now, most of us know how important daily sun protection is, but if you have sensitive skin like I do, you might be wary about trying anything new in case it makes your skin freak out. As Dr. Orit Markowitz, a board-certified dermatologist in New York, explains, "For people with sensitive skin, using any products with preservatives or synthetic ingredients in them can lead to irritation." And since both of those things are commonly found in many sunscreens, the challenge becomes finding a formula that's free of those potential triggers, but still does a good job of protecting your skin. Luckily, we have plenty of options to choose from these days—if anything, there are too many, so I've asked for Dr. Markowitz's help in narrowing things down for us ahead.
The 8 Best Sunscreens for Sensitive Skin
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Meet the Expert
Dr. Orit Markowitz is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of OptiSkin Medical, a dermatology practice and training center for other dermatologists seeking to learn the latest non-invasive skin cancer management protocols. In the past, Dr. Markowitz has served as Director of Pigmented Lesions and Skin Cancer at both Mount Sinai Department of Dermatology and Brooklyn Veterans Hospital of Downstate University Medical Center, as well as Associate Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai and SUNY Downstate University Medical Center. She currently runs a fellowship in non-invasive imaging and early detection at SUNY Downstate Medical Center.
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The Best Sunscreens for Sensitive Skin at a Glance
Best Overall
EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
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Best Water-Resistant
Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen SPF 30+
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Best for Body
Suntegrity Natural Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Unscented Body
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Best for Acne-Prone Skin
SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 35
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Best Multitasker
Isdin Eryfotona Ageless Tinted Ultralight Emulsion Broad Spectrum SPF 50
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How I Chose the Best Sunscreens for Sensitive Skin
I asked Dr. Markowitz and PureWow editors for their top recommendations. I also looked for the highest-rated sunscreens for sensitive skin across major retailers like Amazon and Walmart to round out this list. All of the sunscreens featured use mineral blockers like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, have an SPF of at least 30 and offer broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
Though it's at a higher price point than some drugstore options, this derm and celeb favorite is a "100 percent mineral formula that also includes other great skin restoring ingredients like squalane to keep skin smooth and target dark spots," says Dr. Markowitz. "It's also dye-free, fragrance-fee, oil-free, paraben-free and noncomedogenic, which makes it a great option for sensitive and eczema-prone skin.”
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: zinc oxide, niacinamide
- SPF Level: 46
- Finish: semi-matte
"The Blue Lizard brand in general is one of my favorite mineral sunscreen lines and I find it to be at a great price point. This one is formulated with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and contains no parabens or fragrance. It is also water-resistant which is another great thing to look out for when purchasing a sunscreen," says Markowitz.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
- SPF Level: 30
- Finish: slightly dewy
Unscented and vegan, this sunscreen is free of harsh chemicals, non-greasy and full of antioxidants. With organic ingredients like green tea extract, cucumber extract and pomegranate seed oil, it’s a formula your skin will appreciate from tip to toe. "I've been using this product loyally for several years now on both [my] face & body. It's amazing. [Whenever I've used this], I've never gotten burnt when at [the] beach or playing tennis, etc," says one Amazon reviewer.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: non-nano zinc oxide
- SPF Level: 30
- Finish: semi-matte
Best for Acne-Prone Skin
4. SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 35
SkinMedica
Another go-to for Markowitz, "This is a great mineral option formulated with zinc and titanium. It is paraben free, hypoallergenic, oil free, fragrance free and non-comedogenic, meaning it has been shown to not clog pores." (In short, it's a great choice if you're worried about breakouts.)
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide
- SPF Level: 35
- Finish: natural
This lightweight sunscreen combines zinc oxide with a blend of antioxidants and peptides to tackle existing sun damage and improve skin tone, while protecting against UV damage. The texture is incredibly silky and thinner than most other formulas, which makes it easy to spread evenly over your skin. Bonus: There's a subtle tint to it that evens out any redness around your nose and cheeks.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: zinc oxide, vitamin E, peptide complex
- SPF Level: 50
- Finish: natural
If you're wary of a shiny T-zone, you'll want to check out this matte mineral sunscreen. It has a super sheer texture and is very lightly tinted so it tamps down shine and any redness without pilling on your skin. As its name implies, this formula also wears beautifully as a base underneath makeup.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
- SPF Level: 40
- Finish: sheer matte
At 12 bucks a tube, this soothing sunscreen has green tea, chamomile and aloe vera to hydrate and calm easily triggered skin. The lightweight formula also applies evenly, absorbs quickly and has a non-greasy finish. As one reviewer on iHerb shares, "I was searching for a sunscreen that wouldn't leave a white residue on my skin, while also containing only zinc oxide and avoiding harmful chemical ingredients. This product met those requirements. It does take a little time to fully rub into the skin and eliminate any white residue, but it does an excellent job of moisturizing my skin and protecting me from sunburn. Also, I appreciate that it doesn't feel heavy like some other sunscreens can."
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: zinc oxide
- SPF Level: 30
- Finish: matte
PureWow Assistant Commerce Editor Natalie LaBarbera highly recommends this dermatologist-designed sunscreen for anyone with reactive skin. "I really like the super lightweight feel and mineral-based formula. Also, I was worried the tint would be too dark, but it blends perfectly with my fair skin tone," she says. The multitasking sunscreen can be used as a sunscreen, moisturizer and primer in one, and it has a unique, gel-cream texture to it that's refreshing to the touch.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: non-nano zinc and titanium dioxide
- SPF Level: 30
- Finish: satin
Final Takeaways:
"My number one tip for people with sensitive skin is to stick to mineral sunscreens," Dr. Markowitz tells me. "These are traditionally made with more natural ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium and won't irritate your skin like many of the synthetic ingredients used in chemical formulas. I would then advise patients to take things a step further, because not all mineral sunscreens are 100 percent safe for sensitive skin, as some do contain other ingredients like propylene glycol, lanolin and fragrances that can be irritating. I think it's smart to always read the ingredients listed on the back to make sure."
Frequently Asked Questions
What Ingredients Should People with Sensitive Skin Look for in a Sunscreen?
"I tell my sensitive skin patients to look for a sunscreen that is formulated with zinc oxide or titanium oxide as the the key ingredient," says Dr. Markowitz. "These are the active natural ingredients found in mineral and physical sunscreens that provide UV protection. Zinc oxide works by reflecting light off the surface of the skin and back into the environment wherever the sunscreen is applied and titanium oxide works by blocking absorption of the sun’s UV rays," she explains.
What Ingredients Should People with Sensitive Skin Avoid in Sunscreen?
"Chemical sunscreens contain carbon-containing molecules that absorb light, such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate and avobenzone, and these are things you will want to avoid if you have sensitive skin. Next, I advise my patients to select a sunscreen that has a limited amount of other ingredients. Studies have shown that ingredients like propylene glycol, lanolin, fragrance and even aloe are ingredients that can cause hypersensitivity in sensitive skin patients, so you will want to avoid these as well," adds Markowitz.
Are There Any Misleading Terms to be Aware of When Reading Sunscreen Labels?
"This is something that everyone should be cognizant of when shopping for sunscreen, but I recommend avoiding anything labeled with a SPF greater than 70. SPF 70 and above is typically found in chemical sunscreens and provide less protection than mineral sunscreens and lower SPFs in the 30-70 range," says Dr. Markowitz. Also important to note is the mode of application. As Dr. Markowitz explains: "You can reapply a SPF 100 aerosol every 15 minutes and will likely get less protection than if you were to apply a thick mineral sunscreen every two hours. This is because a lotion tends to stick to the skin and last longer than something that comes in a spray format."
