Best sunscreen for oily and sensitive skin

Or leave behind unsightly white residue.

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Many people with acne-prone skin can attest to the difficulty of trusting new skin-care products. The best sunscreen for acne-prone skin needs to be formulated with ingredients that don’t irritate the skin, clog pores, or leave a greasy residue. Since people with acne-prone skin are typically more sensitive to changes in their skin-care routine, some ingredients that clog pores lead to even more breakouts. Whether you’re actively breaking out or trying to heal recently popped blemishes, it’s important to have a group of tried-and-true skin-care essentials to choose from—and that includes a high-quality sunscreen.

When it comes to protecting your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays and preventing your dark spots from getting even darker, sunscreen is king. And yes, even on the cloudiest of days sunscreen should be applied. If your skin is sensitive, you probably need a sun protection solution that doesn’t irritate active breakouts or encourage new pimples to come to the surface. Below, we’ve rounded up a few must-have sunscreens that are made with acne-prone skin in mind. Shop the best sunscreen for acne-prone skin from trusted brands like EltaMD, La Roche-Posay, Sunday Riley, and more. Find your next acne-prone skin-friendly SPF right here.

All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

• Dermstore

  EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46

  This non-comedogenic BIPOC-friendly sunscreen is formulated with transparent zinc oxide, which means it won’t show a white cast on the skin. It’s also packed with acne-fighting ingredients like niacinamide, which helps repair damage and soothe inflammation, and lactic acid, which helps clearing pores.

• Supergoop!

  Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen

  This sheer, clear sunscreen is ideal for acne-prone skin since it’s completely oil-free. It’s both water- and sweat-resistant so you can wear it on a beach day or day hike without having to reapply for up to 40 minutes. And it’s a great option for wearing as a primer under makeup because it doesn’t leave pesky white streaks behind. 

• Target

  Versed Guards Up Daily Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 35

• La Roche-Posay

  La Roche-Posay Anthelios Light Fluid Face Sunscreen SPF 60

  La Roche-Posay is a French pharmacy skin-care brand beloved by derms everywhere. Acne-prone skin can be very sensitive, and the Anthelios Light Fluid Face Sunscreen SPF 60 is lightweight and gentle enough to protect the skin without aggravating any active breakouts. It boasts antioxidants like senna alata, which help to protect the skin against damaging free radicals that can accelerate skin aging.

• Neutrogena

  Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion Sunscreen SPF 50

  If you’re looking for a great drugstore option, we love the water-gel texture of this sunscreen. It hydrates the skin without leaving it feeling greasy or heavy, and it layers beautifully underneath makeup. The moisturizing formula contains no oxybenzone or oil and uses avobenzone to shield your skin from the sun’s harmful rays without clogging your pores.

• Sephora

  Paula's Choice Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50

  Paula’s Choice is always a safe bet for acne-prone skin. This particular sunscreen contains a blend of antioxidants, providing anti-aging benefits alongside broad-spectrum sun protection. The fluid formula leaves a matte, shine-free finish to the skin that’s never slick or greasy, which is what makes it so popular with oily skin types.

• Sephora

  Sunday Riley Light Hearted Daily Face Sunscreen SPF 30

  Sunday Riley nailed it when they developed the brand’s first sunscreen, which debuted earlier this year. The breathable, lightweight formula is a blend of both mineral and chemical sunscreens, providing complete sun protection without any white cast. The addition of turmeric rounds out the unique formulation, which is rich in antioxidants and contains calming compounds to soothe red, sensitive skin.

• Target

  Mele No Shade Sunscreen Oil for Melanin Rich Skin SPF 30

  Made with melanin-rich skin in mind, this clear sunscreen oil absorbs quickly and easily. It’s made without alcohol, mineral oil, or parabens, so it doesn’t irritate sensitive, acne-prone skin. If you suffer from dry skin around your breakouts and it becomes more noticeable underneath makeup, this sheer oil effectively hydrates while preventing your skin from sun damage, which can cause hyperpigmentation if left unprotected.

• Biossance

  Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen

  If you struggle with finding a sunscreen that doesn’t exacerbate your acneic skin, this mineral sunscreen from Biossance is an excellent option. It uses 100% non-nano zinc to provide broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection for even the most sensitive skin. The super sheer formula blends into the skin seamlessly, leaving behind a soft, dewy finish.

• Amazon

  Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion SPF 60

  This is another drugstore find that is great for sensitive skin due to its oil-free, non-comedogenic formula. The weightless sun-safe solution contains prebiotic oat to provide 24-hour hydration, as well as broad-spectrum SPF 60 protection. Great for long days at the beach or pool, this multi-tasking sunscreen is also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

• Peter Thomas Roth

  Peter Thomas Roth Max Clear Invisible Priming Sunscreen SPF 45

  Sunscreen, makeup, and acne-prone don’t always go well together, which is what makes this sunscreen so special. Part sunscreen, part makeup primer, it blurs pores to create a soft-focus, almost matte finish to the skin with ​​SPF 45 protection. The clear color is truly invisible on the skin, no harsh rubbing is required.

• Credo

  Le Prunier Plumscreen SPF 31

  Ideal for acne-prone, extremely sensitive, or allergy-prone skin, this mineral sunscreen is made with 4.7% non-nano zinc oxide for silky sheer sun protection. The star of the nourishing formula is plums, which are naturally abundant in essential antioxidants, nourishing omega fatty acids 6 and 9, and powerful polyphenols—all of which provide protection against environmental stressors and seal in moisture.

• Ulta

  Black Girl Sunscreen Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30

  It’s no secret that at SELF we’re big fans of Black Girl Sunscreen—a sunscreen brand created with skin color in mind—as we awarded the brand with a Healthy Beauty Award for best sunscreen for darker skin tones. This sheer sunscreen doesn’t leave a white cast and keeps skin hydrated without any residual grease. (The T-zone oil struggle is real.)

• Target

  Bliss Block Star Daily Mineral Sunscreen

  Here’s another 2021 SELF Beauty Award–winning invisible mineral sunscreen SPF. It’s oil-free and formulated for all skin types, including acne-prone skin, so you can expect a matte finish and zero clogged pores. 

• Ulta

  Tula Mineral Magic Oil-Free Mineral Sunscreen

  Tula’s mineral SPF is formulated with pre and probiotics to balance the skin microbiome. It’s an excellent pick for anyone with dark spots or acne thanks to smoothing extracts like peach and willowherb.

• Murad

  Murad Correct & Protect Serum Broad Spectrum SPF 45

  This SPF is formulated with ingredients that target breakouts and discoloration like niacinamide and moisturizing ingredients like glycerin. Plus it’s lightweight and does not leave behind a white cast.

• Ulta

  Dermalogica Prisma Protect SPF 30

  This moisturizer with added SPF from Dermalogica makes it easy to take care of your skin without thinking about it. When applied, this two-in-one moisturizer and SPF is more iridescent than shiny. 

Cristina Montemayor is a beauty journalist and writer living in Austin, TX. Her work has appeared in Men’s Health, Brides, and Very Good Light, among many others. She’s particularly interested in how beauty standards change over time and ways to make the beauty industry more equitable for people and the... Read more

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