The 12 Best Sunscreens to Soothe Sensitive Skin
These skin-friendly formulas help prevent irritation.
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By now, we all know that sunscreen is a non-negotiable part of any and every beauty routine. Everyone should be wearing sunscreen every day, period. However, even natural sunscreen can sometimes be irritating if you have sensitive skin. Many sunscreen formulations contain added fragrances, alcohol, or chemical sun filters that may bother sensitive skin.
Sunscreen is important for everyone, but it may be even more critical for those with more sensitive skin. “Sensitive skin can react more severely to UV radiation, leading to sunburn, irritation, and an increased risk of skin cancer,” says Dr. Rachel Westbay, board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical. “Sensitive skin often has a compromised barrier, making it more prone to irritation and inflammation. Sunscreen acts as an additional protective layer.” She also notes that sun exposure can worsen common skin conditions like rosacea and eczema. Ahead, find our picks for the best sunscreens for sensitive skin, according to dermatologists, ELLE editors, and rave reviewers.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Ultra-Light Face Sunscreen SPF 50
Pros
- Fast-absorbing and soothing to skin
Cons
- Some might not like the liquid formula
This fluid formula absorbs quickly and feels ultra-light on skin. It’s also made with La Roche-Posay’s signature thermal water, which acts as a soothing antioxidant that calms and supports the skin barrier.
Key ingredient: Thermal water
Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.4/5
Our expert says: “This French brand’s sunscreens contain newer sunscreen filters that provide long-lasting UVA protection and which have yet to be approved by the FD, despite their popularity in sunscreens from other countries. La Roche-Posay is one of the few companies with products sold in the U.S. with this type of UVA protection. This particular drugstore-available sunscreen is a favorite of mine because it is 100% mineral with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, is fast-absorbing, provides a matte finish, and does not leave a white cast the way many mineral-only formulations do. It is formulated with their patented Cell-Ox Shield technology, a powerful antioxidant complex to help protect skin from free radicals caused by UV rays.” —Dr. Westbay
Beauty Pie Traceless UVA/UVB SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen + Primer
Pros
- Blends in easily to skin
Cons
- Feels slightly sticky after application
Though it’s a mineral formula, this sunscreen is made to blend into skin without a trace. It’s also formulated with niacinamide to even out skin tone and refine pores, as well as argan oil to moisturize.
Key ingredients: argan oil, niacinamide
Size: 1.69 fl. oz.
Beauty Pie rating: 4.6/5
An ELLE Editor says: “I’m not often blown away by all-mineral sunscreen formulas (they can be hard to blend in or feel greasy), but this one pleasantly surprised me. It rubs in instantly and doesn’t feel heavy at all, and it doesn’t make skin shiny either.” —Katie Berohn, beauty editor
Pros
- Helps soothe and repair skin
Cons
- Pricey
This Paula’s Choice sunscreen is formulated with allantoin and centella asiatica, two ingredients that help calm and repair the skin barrier. It is a lightweight gel formula specifically made for sensitive skin.
Key ingredients: allantoin, centella asiatica
Size: 2 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.6/5
An Amazon reviewer says: “This really works to calm redness in my cheeks. It feels more like nice face lotion than sunscreen, and a little goes a long way. I heard great things about this brand, which seem true.”
Pros
- Moisturizes while it protects
Cons
- Some find it leaves a white cast
If you hate using different sunscreens for your face and body, this formula is perfect for you. Not only is it a multitasker, but it’s also made with vitamin C to brighten skin and help curb fine lines and wrinkles.
Key ingredient: vitamin C
Size: 4 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.5/5
An Amazon reviewer says: “It’s a nice lotion. No white cast, moisturizing, absorbs quickly, and no bad fragrance. My dermatologist recommended it.”
Pros
- Moisturizing and soothing
Cons
- Pricey
Combatting redness can be tricky. This sunscreen, made to soothe sensitive skin, contains ingredients like bisabolol and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-8 to calm redness and alleviate sensitive skin. It’s also moisturizing.
Key ingredients: bisabolol, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-8
Size: 1 fl. oz.
Dermstore rating: 5/5
An ELLE editor says: “This is probably one of the only sunscreens that I would be comfortable putting on my skin after a laser treatment. It’s so calming and hydrating, it feels like a moisturizer.” —Katie Berohn
Pros
- Evens skin tone with niacinamide
Cons
- Some find it a bit sticky
It’s no secret that Korean sunscreen formulas are second-to-none. This sunscreen from Beauty of Joseon doesn’t disappoint. It’s formulated with niacinamide to even skin tone, and rice extract and probiotics to hydrate and calm.
Key ingredients: niacinamide, rice extract, probiotics
Size: 50 mL.
Yes Style rating: 4.7/5
An ELLE editor says: “I’ve been seeing this sunscreen all over TikTok, and just had to pick one up on a trip to Seoul. I can see why it’s so popular. It’s a fluffy, non-scented cream that rubs easily into the skin with barely any need for elbow grease. It’s also so moisturizing, without feeling oily, that I’ve even used it on its own on lazy skincare days. It’s one of most non-sunscreen-y sunscreens I’ve ever used.” —Kathleen Hou, beauty director
Buttah Skin Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
Pros
- Moisturizes skin
Cons
- Some find the formula pills throughout the day
This chemical-, paraben-, and fragrance-free sunscreen is infused with skin-friendly ingredients like allantoin and green tea extract. The tinted formula ensures that it works across all skin tones without leaving a white cast.
Key ingredients: allantoin, green tea extract
Size: 3.4 fl. oz.
Ulta rating: 3.8/5
An Ulta reviewer says: “It’s thin, not chalky, feels moisturizing but doesn’t stay tacky on the skin, and has a decent ingredient list. I haven’t noticed it causing any skin issues for my breakout-prone, combination to dry skin.”
Eucerin Sensitive Mineral Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 35
Pros
- Adjusts to different skin tones
Cons
- Some find the formula greasy
This sensitive, skin-friendly formula has a tint that works across all skin tones. It’s also infused with antioxidants like vitamin E and vitamin C to help brighten and hydrate skin.
Key ingredients: vitamin E, vitamin C
Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.1/5
Our expert says: “This sunscreen is among the gentlest on the market, using mineral-only protection. It is enriched with an antioxidant complex that provides full spectrum protection, neutralizing free radicals caused by long-way UVA and blue light. Plus, the universal tint adjusts to almost any skin tone for light cosmetic coverage.” —Dr. Josh Zeichner, MD, a dermatologist in New York City
Colorescience Total Protection No-Show Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Pros
- Ultra-sheer formula
Cons
- Pricey
If you’re after a sunscreen so sheer that you can’t even tell it is on your skin, this one from Colorescience fits the bill. Bisabolol and silver ear mushroom extract help hydrate and soothe the skin.
Key ingredients: Bisabolol, silver ear mushroom extract
Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.4/5
Our expert says: “This mineral sunscreen has one of the sheerest of sheer formulations. It’s ultra-lightweight but not drying, fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, and combines non-nano zinc oxide with powerful hydrators. It protects not only from UV light, but also blue light, infrared, free radicals, and pollution, all of which can wreak particular havoc on skin barriers.” —Dr. Westbay
Pros
- Hydrates and exfoliates skin thanks to hyaluronic and lactic acids
Cons
- Pricey
When a sunscreen is made by a dermatologist, you know it’s going to be good. This derm-formulated sunscreen is aloe-based for supreme calming and is also blended with hyaluronic acid and lactic acid, which moisturize and exfoliate skin. Niacinamide also gives skin a brightening boost.
Key ingredients: aloe, hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, niacinamide
Size: 2.22 oz.
MM Skincare rating: 5/5
Our expert says: “This mineral-only sunscreen is a lightweight, daily option for all skin types. It contains lactic and hyaluronic acid to gently even out complexion and niacinamide to brighten. The tinted formulation offers buildable coverage and leaves the complexion hydrated, dewy but not slick.” —Dr. Westbay
ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica Ultralight Emulsion
Pros
- Helps repair already damaged skin with photolyase
Cons
- Pricey
This innovative sunscreen formula not only protects your skin from sun damage but also helps repair previous sun damage. It contains photolyase, an enzyme derived from plankton that helps repair invisible sun damage.
Key ingredients: Photolyase, vitamin E
Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.6/5
An ELLE editor says: “Some sunscreens feel like a straight-up oil slick on your hands. This sunscreen has more of an emulsion-like texture, which will delight skincare obsessives. I like that it leaves behind a powder finish, despite the moisturizing feel of this sunscreen, and that it doesn’t pill under makeup. It’s also great for sensitive skin, without leaving any sort of stinging feeling behind.” —Kathleen Hou
LIGHTSAVER Shade 0 - Activated Non-Tinted Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 33
Pros
- Wears well under makeup
Cons
- Pricey
For a mineral formula, Lightsaver’s sunscreen has a light, gel-like texture and sinks into skin immediately. It never pills under makeup, and the addition of photolyase and niacinamide helps repair the skin and even skin tone.
Key ingredients: Photolyase, niacinamide
Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
Sephora rating: 5/5
An ELLE editor says: “If you have oily skin, this is the one for you. This is the rare mineral sunscreen that doesn’t feel like it’s flooding your skin with oil and moisture. It has a dry, natural finish to the skin, making it one of my favorites for vacation and super-hot days (no need to worry about it dripping down your face, or into your eyes or causing breakouts). Created by dermatologist Dr. David Kim, who was inspired by the ultra-smooth skin feel of Korean sunscreens, this is a mineral sunscreen that’s raising the way they feel on the skin to the next (and better) level.” —Kathleen Hou
What kind of sunscreen is best for sensitive skin?
Sunscreen is important for everyone since unprotected sun exposure can lead to premature aging or skin cancer. That’s why when it comes to sunscreen, the formula that you’ll actually consistently wear is the best formula for you.
“Sunscreens are generally categorized as either mineral or chemical,” says Dr. Zeichner. “Chemical sunscreens contain organic UV filters, which means they are compounds that contain carbon atoms. mineral sunscreens contain oxide or titanium dioxide. They are referred to as inorganic filters since they do not contain any carbon-based compounds. Generally speaking, most dermatologists recommend mineral-based sunscreen for people who have sensitive skin. While both chemical and mineral sunscreens are equally effective, mineral sunscreens, generally speaking, tend to be better tolerated by people with sensitivities. For my patients with sensitive skin, I recommend mineral sunscreens that contain only zinc oxide, or combination of zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide.” Those with sensitive skin might also want to look for calming ingredients like colloidal oatmeal or aloe.
What ingredients should someone with sensitive skin avoid in sunscreen?
Avoid the usual skin irritators, like fragrance and essential oils. “Sensitive skin of all types should avoid sunscreen sprays or gel formulations that tend to contain potentially dehydrating alcohol,” says Westbay.
Meet the experts
Dr. Josh Zeichner is an associate professor of dermatology and the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.
Dr. Rachel Westbay is a dermatologist at Marmur Medical.
Why trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE beauty editor Katie Berohn interviewed dermatologists and tested products to find the best sunscreens for sensitive skin.
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