by Regardless of the type of skin you have, putting on sunscreen should be part of your routine as much as wearing a pair of pants (or like, a dress, if that’s more your jam). As in, you should not always leave home for a day before you do it … otherwise you risk quite serious (albeit very different) consequences. And yes — this rule applies regardless of the type of skin you have — including acne prone skin.
The best sunscreens for acne prone skin at a glance
I know, I know: If you have oily or sensitive skin, the idea of rubbing a layer of oily product on it every morning is incredibly unattractive and you may feel like you are causing one problem while preventing another. But whether you like it or not, you need it. The good news? The right products will prevent sunburn without leaving pimples in place.
“Everyone, regardless of skin type, should wear sunscreen every day,” says Supergoop founder Holly Thaggard, noting that it is unquestionably more It is important for someone with acne prone skin to stick with SPF, because many of the ingredients in topical acne products make your skin more sensitive to the sun. And if you have old acne scars, studies have shown that UVB is the number one enemy, so your best bet is to cover them with something strong and protective. In addition, the use of sunscreen is one of the main tools to fight the development of skin cancer (in a while to stay away from the rays all together) which is more or less the definition of #skingoals.
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How to choose an acne friendly SPF, according to experts
But with all the “sunscreen in mind” in mind, we will admit that some products are better for acne prone skin than others. “Some ingredients in skin care products can clog pores and contribute to acne. I always advise our patients to check their skin care products and use products labeled “noncomedogenic”, also known as “non-pore-blocking”, says David Lortscher, MD. dermatologist and CEO of the special skin care brand, Curology.
Cosmetic chemist Ginger King identifies the inactive key ingredients in sunscreen – so not the actual active ingredients that block the sun – as the usual culprits for clogging pores. “Most likely the inactive ingredients used as film formers cause acne,” he explains. “There are people who may have reactions to sunscreens due to chemical sunscreen. To be an effective sunscreen, many products can be made with heavy film formers. If you have acne and do not keep your face clean, occlusive materials can do it. The safest bet is to use products based on zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and avoid ingredients with wax, scented myrrh, mineral oil, petroleum jelly, [and] lanolin as all of these are heavy and can cause itching ”.
Okay — even if you try everything and you are yet breaks out; The answer is obviously * no * to stop wearing sunscreen. Instead, according to Dendy Engelman, MD, certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon in New York, all you have to do is add an antioxidant-rich base coat before applying SPF.
As antioxidants help prevent free radicals that damage the skin from the environment, they are essential to ensure that your sunscreen really works without further damaging your skin. “Antioxidants, such as vitamin C, are an excellent addition to the sunscreen, as they are known to prevent further damage from UV radiation by combining with free radical scavengers in search of a missing electron, thus neutralizing the damage,” he said. Engelman. This is especially important as we move to warmer, sunnier months and expose our skin to the sun’s harmful rays. “
The best sunscreens for acne prone skin
Best overall
Supergoop, Mattescreen Sunscreen SPF 40 – $ 38.00
Traditional, oily skin + sunscreen = glowing chaos that causes outbreaks. That’s why we recommend this matte sunscreen by Supergoop, which follows all the recommendations of our experts for an acne-friendly sunscreen.
It is a 100 percent metal product that trades chemicals with the titanium dioxide and zinc oxide recommended by King, and there are also no oils, which means your resources are safe from clogging. Last but not least are these antioxidants: Mattescreen is mixed with bamboo extract and wild ginger, which help protect the skin from free radicals. Beautiful.
Runner up
EltaMD, UV Clear Facial Sunscreen SPF 46 – $ 37.00
EltaMD is another brand that dermatologists are not satisfied with. This formula is made especially for people with sensitive or acne prone skin, replacing any suspicious ingredients with * only * the good things our experts mention above. Consider: Zinc oxide that protects against UVA / UVB rays, high purity niacinamide and oil-free ingredients that will not clog you.
The best pharmacy
Cerave, AM SPF 30 Moisturizing Face Lotion – $ 12.00
You do not need to spend money to get a skin approved sunscreen for sensitive skin. Cerave is loved by both skins and beauty lovers for its magical powers that support the skin. Like all branded products, this sunscreen is mixed with tiles to support the skin barrier and restore it to its natural, radiant self. It is oil-free, broad-spectrum and lightweight — basically everything you could want in a daily sunscreen.
The best spree
The best face stick
Sun Bum, Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Face Stick (Pack of 2) – $ 25.00
Do you want a stick that is so soft on the skin that a baby could use it? This mineral stick from Sun Bum is technically designed for children, but this should not discourage you from adding it to your cart. Child-friendly comes from its extremely gentle composition that glides over your cheeks, ears and nose without causing breakage. At $ 25 for two, saving a few for the summer will not make your wallet burst.
The best spray
Blue Lizard, Mineral Sunscreen Sensitive SPF 50+ – $ 20.00
Approved by leather? Control. UVA / UVB mineral inhibitors? Control. Antioxidants for a little extra boost? Check, check and check. This sunscreen spray from the Australian brand of sun care Blue Lizard has all the characteristics of an approved SPF for sensitive skin. In addition to its soft composition, it comes in an easy spray bottle and becomes soft and silky. Just rub it and watch it disappear, leaving no trace of chalk.
Best for dark skin
Sunscreen Tizo, AM Replenish – $ 50.00
Speaking of chalk with chalk… if you have black or brown skin, finding a mineral sunscreen that does not leave a pasty shade behind can look like a Herculean feat. Adeline Kikam, DO, founder of @brownskinderm, has told us in the past that the Tizo AM Replenish sunscreen ($ 50) is the SPF of her choice for its skin-friendly composition. “It feels really great on the skin – it’s very light and soft,” he said. “I like tinted, although I’ve heard that non-tinted is also very good.”
The best waterproof
Coola, Mineral Organic Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 – $ 28.00
What good is a sunscreen if it melts when it gets wet? Coola Organic Spray is waterproof for up to 80 minutes and guarantees that it will keep you safe while splashing and surfing. Expect all the usual suspects that an acne prone sunscreen should have, including zinc oxide and load of herbal substances your skin will just turn brown as long as it is lit.
Best SPF 2 in 1
Unsun Cosmetics, Bronze Goddess Face & Body Highlighter – $ 34.00
If you are looking for an SPF that works as makeup and is gentle enough to keep your skin healthy and happy, look no further than Unsun Cosmetic highlighters, which are pretty much the most radiant sunscreens ever. Between the zinc / titanium dioxide mix, the antioxidant gold mine and its shimmering sheen, and no wonder our beauty editors are fed up with it — whether they go out in the sun or not. Protection has never looked so beautiful.
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