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The 11 Best Sunscreens For Sensitive Skin And The Ingredients To Look For
Protect your fragile complexion without causing redness or irritation with these tried and tested formulas
When it comes to skincare, nothing excites this editor more than sunscreen and I've been in pursuit of finding the best SPF for sensitive skin. In general, SPFs formulas have certainly come a long way. Gone are the days of chalky textures and white casts. Korean and Japanese sun creams are the real trailblazers, achieving an invisible finish long before anyone else. Many SPF moisturisers now feel like second skin and boast the added benefits of brightening and hydrating the complexion.
Best suncreens for sensitive skin
It goes without saying that all skin types require SPF all year round, but those with sensitive complexions can often experience irritation with their SPF; whether that's through itching, redness, breakouts, watery eyes or just an overall uncomfortable feeling.
Certain skin types can also go through temporarily heightened sensitivity due to medication, in-clinic treatments or procedures or stronger ingredients in the skincare routine such as tretinoin. While it's tempting to just skip the SPF, sunscreen is still imperative as your skin is much more reactive to the sun in these periods.
How does SPF affect sensitive skin?
According to Dr Jinah Yoo, consultant dermatologist at MAYLIN x Dr Jinah Yoo Dermatology, fragrances, certain preservatives and chemical UV filters can sometimes cause redness and irritation. 'Many often report stinging or sensitivity around the eye area,' she tells ELLE. While these ingredients are completely safe and useful, those with extra sensitive skin might experience a lowered tolerance to them. She also recommends checking for essential oils which can cause a reaction.
What to look for in an SPF for sensitive skin
Even at its most sensitive, my skin is still a fan of chemical UV filters such as avobenzone. But if they don't work for you, try a mineral sunscreen. 'Zinc oxide and titanium oxide-based SPF's provide mineral based broad-spectrum protection, as they sit on top of the skin and reflect UV rays rather than absorbing them like chemical filters, making them less likely to cause irritation compared to chemical sunscreens,' suggests Dr Yoo.
Most complexions tolerate synthetic fragrances just fine, but look out for 'fragrance-free' formulas if yours tend to react poorly to them. 'Calming ingredients such as niacinamide (or vitamin B3) and ceramides can support the skin's natural barrier, too,' says Dr. Yoo. Formulas that contain skin soothers such as cica and green tea extracts alongside cushioning ingredients such as glycerin will also help.
Ahead, the best SPFs for sensitive skin types
How We Test
Next to trialling the formulas on my dry, sensitised skin (due to topical retinoids), we also made sure to test each sunscreen on our friends, colleagues and family members who are prone to sensitivity, rosacea, and reactive skin. We look at how our skin reacted to each formula, whether there were any irritation or breakouts, how the texture feels throughout the day, how it wears under make-up and of course, whether or not it caused any sunburns.
This was the SPF I relied on all throughout my tretinoin journey. It uses chemical UV filters, which my sensitive skin reacted very well to. The featherlight formula wears comfortably, does not pill under make-up and appears completely invisible on my olive complexion. It offers ample moisture without clogging pores and contains snow mushroom alongside tea leaf extracts and ectoin to keep inflammation at bay.
Product specifications
| Type: | Chemical |
|---|---|
| Texture: | Lotion |
| Extra ingredients: | Ectoin, niacinamide |
| Fragrance-free: | Yes |
Emma Lewisham Sunceutical SPF 50 Mineral Glow Serum
Fragile complexions long for radiance, too. Emma Lewisham's formula is packed with plumping peptides to improve the skin texture while zinc oxide provides high UVA and UVB protection. This mineral SPF promises to go on smoothly on all skin tones and impart a gentle, bronzey tint that simply elevates the complexion.
Product specifications
| Type: | Mineral |
|---|---|
| Texture: | Cream-serum |
| Extra ingredients: | Peptides |
| Fragrance-free: | No |
Skin + Me Daily Moisturiser with SPF50 for Sensitive Skin
From the brand that revolutionised personalised skincare comes this sunscreen that's packaged in a useful 'doser' bottle. Each click dispenses the right amount for to deliver ample protection. There are three versions available to cover all skin types; this sensitive formula contains ectoin and glycolipids to bolster compromised complexions so it gets stronger in the long term. Meanwhile, rainbow algae extract deliver brightening benefits.
Product specifications
| Type: | Chemical |
|---|---|
| Texture: | Cream |
| Extra ingredients: | Ectoin, glycolipids, rainbow algae extract |
| Fragrance-free: | Yes |
Dermalogica Biolumin-C Heat Aging Protector SPF50
Streamline your skincare routine with this active-packed, nourishing SPF. It contains stabilised vitamin C to maximise the protective benefits of sunscreen (and delays new formation of sun spots and fine lines) while delivering brightening effects over time.
There's also vitamin E and hydrators such as glycerin and jojoba alongside soothers such as allantoin so you can simply apply right after cleansing. No more fussing around with multiple steps in the morning. It does contain some citrus oils, so do approach with care if you have a known sensitivity to them.
Product specifications
| Type: | Chemical |
|---|---|
| Texture: | Nourishing cream |
| Extra ingredients: | Vitamin E, vitamin C |
| Fragrance-free: | Yes, but contains citrus oils |
Skin expert and cosmetic dermatologist Dr Sam Bunting has formulated her SPF to be kind on all skin types including acne-prone and yes, sensitive ones. This plush skin tint goes on smoothly and leaves behind the gentlest hint of coverage to make your skin appear extra fresh. A mineral formula, it promises to feel incredibly lightweight and free from a white cast. There's an untinted version, too.
Product specifications
| Type: | Mineral |
|---|---|
| Texture: | Light cream |
| Added ingredients: | Squalane, shea butter |
| Fragrance-free: | Yes |
Ultra Violette Supreme Screen Hydrating Facial Skinscreen SPF 50+
For complexions that are feeling extra parched, try Ultra Violette's Supreme Screen which promises to leave the skin feeling velvety soft. Despite the plush texture, it still plays well under make-up, and contains moisturising squalane for added hydration.
Product specifications
| Type: | Chemical |
|---|---|
| Texture: | Cream |
| Added ingredients: | Squalane, glycerin |
| Fragrance-free: | Yes |
Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF 50+ Sensitive Advanced Face & Body Serum
It's nice to indulge in a luxurious sunscreen, but considering how it is the single most important product for your skin's health, it's important to highlight that you don't have to (nor should you need to) spend a fortune on SPF.
If you experience sensitivity on both your face and on the neck down, try this SPF50 silky serum-cream. The milky texture does not get greasy, and it contains ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier.
Product specifications
| Type: | Chemical |
|---|---|
| Texture: | Serum-cream |
| Extra ingredients: | Ceramide, rice bran |
| Fragrance-free: | Yes |
As experts in sensitive skin, Pai's formulas go through rigorous clinical testing to ensure it performs on fragile complexions. This illuminating sunscreen uses zinc oxide to protect against harmful rays while imparting a luminous finish.
Product specifications
| Type: | Mineral |
|---|---|
| Texture: | Light cream |
| Extra ingredients: | Shea butter, jojoba oil, cotton extract |
| Fragrance-free: | Yes |
Formulated for those with sun allergies or post-procedure/hypersensitive skin, Into Repair works by encouraging the skin to increase its tolerance to sun rays while protecting against fine lines using antioxidants. It's unscented, too.
Product specifications
| Type: | Chemical |
|---|---|
| Texture: | Cream |
| Extra ingredients: | Peptides, madecassic acid, wheat protein |
| Fragrance-free: | Yes |
Clarins Invisible Sun Care Stick SPF 50
Beauty editors and their friends stock pile this transparent orange SPF stick all year-round for fear that it might go out of stock.
Safe to say, this sheer sunscreen works all complexions, including young ones, mature ones and those prone to redness. The gentle formula glides easily under the eyes without stinging them and can easily be used for touch-ups throughout the day.
Product specifications
| Type: | Chemical |
|---|---|
| Texture: | Invisible gel |
| Extra ingredients: | Argan oil, cocoa extract |
| Fragrance-free: | No |
La Roche-Posay's Toleriane range is a sensitive skin essential, so it stands to reason that the SPF30 is perfect for those affected by rosacea and experience skin flare-ups. The scent-free formula contains probiotics to calm redness and is lightweight enough for all skin types.
Product specifications
| Type: | Chemical |
|---|---|
| Texture: | Lightweight cream |
| Extra ingredients: | Probiotics, inulin |
| Fragrance-free: | Yes |
Medina Azaldin is the beauty editor of ELLE and Harper's Bazaar UK, working across print and digital features. She has more than seven years journalism experience and has previously written for Red and Good Hoousekeeping. When she's not demystifying the latest skincare ingredient, sniffing out the next big perfume trend or uncovering the science behind wellness practices, you'll most likely find her in Hatchards Piccadilly or watching a crime series with her cats. Oh, and she's a competitive cheerleader, too.
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