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The best sunscreens for oily, dry, acne-prone & rosacea

by Aaron|April 21, 2022
The Best Sunscreens for Oily, Dry, Acne-Prone and Rosacea Patients

Facial serums, exfoliators, peels and moisturizers are all powerful players to keep in your anti-aging toolkit. But, one of the easiest ways to prevent aging before it starts is to wear sunscreen every day. What isn’t so easy, however, is finding the right sunscreen product to suit your skin type. There is a dizzying array of options out there, and the wrong sunscreen choice can make oily skin feel greasier or make dry, sensitive skin feel even more irritated. We’re here to take the guesswork out of the equation and share some of our go-to sunscreens for different skin types, including:

Before we dive in, here’s a quick refresher on sunscreen formulations: Physical sunscreens contain minerals that sit on top of the skin and deflect UV rays. Zinc and titanium dioxide are the most popular active ingredients in physical sunscreens. Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, sink into the skin. They work by absorbing UV rays and turning them into heat. Common active ingredients in chemical sunscreens include octinoxate, avobenzone and oxybenzone. Many sunscreens are a mix of the two, combining both chemical and physical sunscreens in their formulas.

The best sunscreen for acne-prone skin

EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen-Untinted SPF 46

EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen-Untinted SPF 46

Sunscreen type: Physical (9% zinc oxide) and chemical (7.5% octinoxate)

This formula has earned rave reviews for its residue-free finish (it’s fantastic under makeup), powerful sun protection and non-comedogenic formula that won’t clog pores or aggravate acne. It also boasts some bonus beauty benefits: hyaluronic acid helps draw in and retain moisture, as niacinamide reduces inflammation from existing breakouts and lactic acid smooths skin. If you prefer some sheer coverage, it’s also available in a tinted version.

This sunscreen also happens to be a favorite of board-certified dermatologist and CEO of LovelySkin Dr. Joel Schlessinger. “EltaMD is my personal sunscreen, as well as my family’s favorite. It is important to offer options for facial, body and physical blocks, and EltaMD has them all, offering an elegant and complete list of products,” Dr. Schlessinger says. “I particularly love the EltaMD UV Clear as it is won’t flare acne and goes on beautifully, offering both untinted and tinted formulations.

The best sunscreen for oily skin

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Matte SPF 50

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Matte SPF 50

Sunscreen type: Physical (12% zinc oxide)

If you have oily skin and struggle with sunscreens making your skin appear shiny or greasy, give this mattifying sunscreen a try. It features a mineral-based formula that provides broad-spectrum sun protection and helps absorb oil, leaving your skin with a matte finish. This formula also contains allantoin and bisabolol, two soothing ingredients that can help reduce irritation, leaving your skin feeling calm and refreshed.

The best sunscreen for dry skin

TiZO Ultra Zinc Body & Face Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40

TiZO Ultra Zinc Body & Face Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40

Sunscreen type: Physical (20% zinc oxide)

If your skin tends toward the dry side, using a hydrating sunscreen like this on both your face and body can help keep your skin feeling soft and supple while also protecting it from sun damage. This lightweight formula contains glycerin, which helps draw moisture into your skin, as well as vitamin E to help nourish and calm any irritation from dryness. It also comes in both tinted and untinted formulas.

The best sunscreen for rosacea patients

LovelySkin LUXE Ultra-Replenishing Sunscreen SPF 40

LovelySkin LUXE Ultra-Replenishing Sunscreen SPF 40

Sunscreen type: Physical (8% zinc oxide) and chemical (5% homosalate, 5% octisalate, 5% octocrylene)

“Rosacea flare-ups can sometimes be aggravated by sun exposure,” Dr. Schlessinger says. “So, finding the right sunscreen is especially important for rosacea patients as chemical sunscreens often make rosacea worse as well.” This face sunscreen from LovelySkin’s own LUXE line is safe for rosacea or post-procedure skin. It’s tinted to suit a wide range of skin tones and contains anti-aging ingredients as well, including winter cherry to shield against visible aging and LipochromanⓇ, which helps neutralize free radicals that can cause skin damage.

The best multitasking sunscreen for daily use on face

Revision Skincare Intellishade Tinted Moisturizer SPF 45

Revision Skincare Intellishade Tinted Moisturizer SPF 45

Sunscreen type: Physical (3% zinc oxide, 3.5% titanium dioxide) and chemical (7.5% octinoxate, 5% octisalate)

If you’re looking for a product to help simplify your morning routine and still provide a variety of skin care benefits, this is it. Revision Skincare Intellishade is a tinted moisturizer that provides anti-aging ingredients and solid sun protection all in one. It glides on smoothly with sheer coverage to help reduce the appearance of discoloration and dark spots, resulting in a more even skin tone. It also contains a blend of three peptides to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while guarding against future signs of aging.

The best overall sunscreen for face and body

EltaMD UV Sport SPF 50

EltaMD UV Sport SPF 50

Sunscreen type: Mineral (9% zinc oxide) and chemical (7.5% octinoxate, 5% octisalate)

For an all-over sunscreen that can stand up to activity outdoors—from sports and gardening to swimming—we love this effective formula from EltaMD. This formula is totally fragrance-free and helps bring some much-needed hydration to your skin without leaving a greasy or slippery residue. Plus, because it's waterproof for up to eighty minutes, you won’t have to worry about it running into your eyes during a sweaty workout or dip in the pool.

Speaking of sunscreen, did you know it’s a must for anyone with retinol in their regimen? If you’re wondering if retinol is safe to use in the summer, you can learn more about retinol use and other skin care topics on the LovelySkin Blog.

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About the Author

Aaron serves as Editor at LovelySkin. Since graduating from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2016 with degrees in Creative Writing and English, he has immersed himself in the beauty industry. When he’s not writing about the latest beauty trends, he spends time cuddling his dogs, scouring antique stores, playing tennis and hiking.

Other Posts by Aaron

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