The 17 Best Sunscreens for Acne-Prone Skin That Won’t Cause Breakouts

Versed Skin Guards Up is a 2021 Health Beauty Awards winner for the best mineral sunscreen. It’s super absorbent and formulated with derm-approved hydrators like glycerin and hyaluronic acid. It’s also non-nano zinc oxide which is safe for the ocean.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.)

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. 

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.

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.

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.