These 20 Sunscreens Were *Made* for Your Sensitive Skin

If you hate the feeling of thick goopy sunscreen (hi same), you’ll def want to keep this SPF 35 at arm’s reach. The non-irritating serum formula is fast-absorbing and lightweight—plus it’s infused with safflower and prickly pear extract to hydrate your skin and protect it from free radical damage.

While exposure to pollution isn’t linked to skin cancer the way UV is, it’s definitely a precursor to premature aging. Luckily, this mineral sunscreen for sensitive skin shields you from both. The zinc and titanium offer up give SPF 30, while turmeric helps protect your face from pollution and inflammation. 

Behold: The perfect everyday sunscreen for sensitive skin types. This award-winning formula feels lightweight, is non-greasy (it layers perfectly under makeup), and is infused with soothing aloe vera and micro algae to protect skin from daily aggressors.

This sunscreen for sensitive skin is free from potentially irritating fragrances, dyes, harsh preservatives, and formaldehyde. But the best part? It’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, making it a great sunscreen option for days when you’re sweating and running around outside.

This moisturizing sunscreen is perfect for sensitive skin that’s dry or dehydrated. The blend of grape-seed oil, argan oil, hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera hydrates hella-thirsty skin and softens rough patches. It’s the perfect daily moisturizer with SPF for anyone who wants baby-soft skin…with a major dose of sun protection. 

Apply your regular cream-based facial sunscreen in the morning and then layer this powder sunscreen on top throughout the day as a touch-up. It’s non-irritating (thanks to mineral-based ingredients) and zero percent messy or annoying to use.

This sunscreen is actually ideal for anyone with rosacea or any type of inflammation. It uses tiny green pigments to neutralize redness on contact (just like a color corrector), plus SPF 35 to protect from harmful UVA and UVB rays.

If you have dark skin, finding a sunscreen that doesn’t make you look ashy is hard AF. Good thing this brand (which was created by a Black woman) solves that problem. The lightweight cream has a subtle tint that blends into the deepest of skin tones. And if that’s not magical enough, its packed with shea butter, coconut oil and vitamin E for some major moisturization. 

This beloved French brand is famous for its milky melt-into-your-skin sunscreen formulation. And because of its barely-there matte finish, the SPF is ideal for wearing under makeup. Worried about breaking out? Don’t be. This pick is non-comedogenic, which is a fancy way of saying it won’t clog your pores.

Finally, a stick sunscreen for sensitive skin that doesn’t irritate the shit out of your face when you rub it on. The fragrance-free and dye-free formula is made with 21.6 percent zinc oxide for superior sun protection plus vitamin E to nourish and moisturize sensitive skin.

In addition to its mineral UV blockers and soothing niacinamide, this sunscreen for sensitive skin is infused with bronzy, light-reflecting pigments to give skin a subtle glow. It’s also sweat and water resistant for up to 40 minutes, which makes it a great option for days when it’s hot and humid.

Fact: Zinc sunscreen is ideal for sensitive skin. Also fact: zinc sunscreens can leave a less-than-ideal white, ghostly-looking cast on skin. But not this one. The sheer, gentle formula is pretty much invisible (provided you rub it in for a few seconds) and protects skin with SPF 30 and antioxidants. 

PSA: You don’t need to drop all your dollars to get your hands on a sunscreen for sensitive skin that actually works. This top-rated (and derm loved) sunscreen lotion from Aveeno protects skin with SPF 50 and is available at the drugstore for less than $10. A dream!

You really can’t go wrong with any of the sunscreens in EltaMD’s line (derms love them, and derms love skin, so), but this one in particular is the best if you’re dealing with acne. The lightweight, oil-free lotion contains niacinamide (aka vitamin b3), which reduces excess oil and inflammation to help prevent breakouts. Niacinamide also has brightening properties that can help fade dark marks from old breakouts, so you’ll be covered both ways.

This lightweight sunscreen for from Skinmedica is hypoallergenic and oil-free, so it’s ideal for sensitive skin that also happens to be oily. And unlike most mineral sunscreens, this one leaves behind a sheer, matte finish, so your skin won’t look or feel greasy during the day.

This sensitive-skin sunscreen with SPF 40 doubles as a lightweight, skin-smoothing primer. The all-zinc formula has a sheer tint and a mattifying, mousse-like texture that minimizes pores and helps any makeup look better and last longer after you apply it. 

This super-silky, mineral-based sunscreen for sensitive skin has a silicone base that instantly “blurs” fine lines and mattifies skin, leaving you with a soft, smooth finish. And it’s infused with three different antioxidants—green tea, pomegranate, and cranberry fruit extracts—to help defend skin from free radical damage and premature aging down the road.

Love natural beauty products? Then this gentle SPF 30 sunscreen lotion for sensitive skin is for you. It contains a moisturizing blend of organic aloe vera, jojoba oil, and sunflower extract and non-nano zinc oxide (i.e., it won’t penetrate your skin at all) to protect your face from UV damage and redness.