A great sunscreen will protect your skin effectively while being comfortable to wear, with or without makeup. But the best sunscreens for sensitive skin specifically will do all this without aggravating complexions prone to irritation. Though they may not seem easy to find, at woman&home our beauty team has been sunscreens for years and knows which formulas can be relied upon by sensitive skin, year-round.
Even armed with the knowledge that sunscreens for this skin type do exist, testing a new formula usually feels risky. "People with sensitive skin may find that some sunscreens can cause irritation, stinging, burning, and redness when applied," says advanced aesthetic doctor Dr. Preema Vig. "The use of certain sunscreens can make conditions such as eczema and dermatitis flare up."
Despite this, applying sunscreen daily – come rain or shine, whether indoors or outdoors – is the best way to keep your skin safe, fresh-textured and even-toned. And while many of the best face moisturisers do feature SPF, a dedicated facial sunscreen is undoubtedly a better choice (you are less likely to apply the right amount of moisturiser to achieve the protection on the bottle). Having tested dozens of formulas, ahead are the very best sunscreens for sensitive skin to protect without irritation.
The best sunscreens for sensitive skin, reviewed by our beauty team
RRP: £20 for 50ml | Texture: Fluid
Fragrance-free, tested on sensitive skin, hypoallergenic and with portable, slimline packaging, this La Roche-Posay formula ticks the boxes with ultra-high SPF 50+ protection. "I really struggle to find a high-factor suncream that doesn't make my skin break out in angry red spots," says tester Rachael Martin, who has sensitive skin. "After wearing this every day for a week I haven't seen so much as a blemish.
"I love how quickly it sinks in and that you can't see it once it's on; there's no white cast or oily residue and I found it easy to apply makeup over the top without it smudging or slipping," she adds. "I tested this sunscreen both on an average day and a really sunny one spent outside. I'll be buying it again; I'd choose it over the Avène SPF 50 I used to buy because it's lighter, rubs in more easily and is invisible on the skin."
Pros: Great protection, non-sticky
Cons: Runny consistency can make application difficult
RRP: £13 for 40ml | Texture: Fluid
Super lightweight on the skin, this Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF (which has had a bit of a makeover) is a bit of a high street hero. With high, broad spectrum protection, this fluid is super easy to rub into the skin without leaving behind a greasy feel or being detectable to the eye.
This skincare-focused formula – which features hydrating hyaluronic acid and vitamin E – is also non-comedogenic (a term that means an ingredient or wider formula won't clog pores). This makes it a great choice for blemish-prone skin, too. It's very well-loved among beauty editors and a favourite of our contributing beauty editor Lucy Abbersteen, who regularly recommends it as one of her favourite affordable sunscreens to those looking to add a new one to their skincare routine.
Pros: Affordable, lightweight
Cons: Pretty runny
RRP: £28 for 40ml | Texture: Fluid
A brand that has very sensitive skin at the centre of its product development, this relative newcomer to Ultrasun's product range is an excellent one. With high-factor protection, the formula contains rainbow algae, an ingredient that works to reduce pigmentation; the brand has found that a week of use does so by 27%.
Not only that, though this water-resistant formula isn't super runny, it blends into the skin with ease and feels lightweight and non-greasy once you've applied it. What's more, it's non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores, making it ideal for blemish-prone skin. It's a truly excellent buy.
Pros: Non-comedogenic; high-factor protection
Cons: On the pricey side
RRP: £69 | Texture: Cream
Murad's City Skin Age Defense SPF is an ideal choice for those who to protect their skin from the key causes of damage. Skin is shielded from both UVA and UVB rays, infrared radiation, pollution and blue light, while the lightweight and non-greasy formula sits well under makeup. All this makes it ideal for daily wear.
This mineral formula has a peach tint and our tester didn't find it left a white cast on the skin. It's also free from alcohol and fragrance, making it a great option for sensitive skin types, while PA++++ also offers the highest level of protection from UVA rays alongside the SPF 50. In other words, while it's undoubtedly an expensive option, it packs a punch.
Pros: Great level of protection
Cons: More expensive than others
RRP: £12.99 for 50ml | Texture: Cream
E45 is another brand name that goes hand in hand with sensitive skin. Housed in a handy squeezy tube, this fairly thick cream is easy to rub into the skin and sits nicely – we found it's a particularly good choice for drier complexions.
The formula gets lots of ticks from us, with antioxidant benefits from vitamin E and hydrating hyaluronic acid both in the mix. It's also fragrance-free – which often gets a tick from sensitive complexions – and claims to be suitable for eczema-prone skin, too.
Pros: Reasonably priced, comfortable to wear
Reasons to avoid: Thicker formula won't suit everyone
RRP: £17 | Texture: Cream
CeraVe is another much-loved affordable skincare brand with a legion of loyal fans. Despite having a consistency that initially seems quite thick, it rubs in easily. The broad spectrum SPF moisturiser also features the brand's signature blend of three ceramides, which help support healthy skin barrier function.
As well as the aforementioned ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and vitamin E are also at play to help nourish and support the skin. All things considered, it's no surprise that this is a brand that dermatologists regularly recommend in their clinics.
Reasons to buy: Reasonably priced, dermatologist-recommended brand
Reasons to avoid: Thicker formula won't suit everyone
RRP: £16.50 | Texture: Lightweight cream
Not only does Cetaphil cater to sensitive skin types, it does so at very affordable prices. So it was no great surprise when this product ticked so many of our boxes. It's gentle, fragrance-free, non-pore-clogging and utilises mineral UV filters, which usually pair well with easily irritated skin.
The texture was bang-on for our tester's reactive complexion; a light, cooling cream that felt comfortable, hydrating and softening. In fact, it didn't feel much like a sunscreen at all, probably because it contains skincare ingredients like glycerin, which tackles some signs of sensitivity like tightness and rough skin texture. As its consistency is a little thicker than others on our list, and it feels so gorgeous to slather on, we could imagine getting through the 50ml tube pretty swiftly. But as it's such a great value product, that's not too much of an issue in our book.
Reasons to buy: Hydrating, high-factor SPF
Reasons to avoid: Tube is fairly small
RRP: £15 | Texture: Thick cream
This product spells out its USP; it's a broad-spectrum formula with glycerin, squalene and polyglutamic acid to quench sensitive skin while sprotecting it. Our tester Rachael says, "A brand new name for my bathroom cupboard, this was my first time trying a product from The INKEY List and I wasn't disappointed as far as a product for sensitive skin goes. My skin didn't react at all while I was using this."
"What would stop this product from getting full marks from us is that it's quite thick and took a little longer to apply and rub in compared to products such as the La Roche-Posay sunscreen. It also took a while to sink in, leaving my skin glowing white while the product settled." Though our tester didn't find it wore so well under makeup, we think it would suit someone with very dry skin that absorbs product easily.
Reasons to buy: Gentle on reactive skin
Reasons to avoid: Takes a while to absorb
RRP: £10.99 | Texture: Cream
Those who question how to get rid of acne usually seek formulas that won't break them out, especially when it comes to SPF. This one from Neutrogena is made without oil so you can rest assured it shouldn't exacerbate oily skin or worsen breakouts. We love that it's water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, too, meaning it'll protect your skin during a swim in the pool or the sea or an outdoor workout (though you should always top up your sunscreen after any of these activities, even a water-resistant formula).
The only downside is that this formula requires a lot of rubbing in and can feel heavy on the skin. However, you can use it on your entire body in addition to your face without worrying it'll lead to breakouts in areas that are prone to them (in other words, it's ideal if you experience back acne).
Reasons to buy: Water-resistant, doesn't clog pores
Reasons to avoid: Feels a little heavy
How we tested the best sunscreens for sensitive skin
A selection of the best sunscreens for sensitive skin that we tested for this guide from (left to right) Milani, Cetaphil, Hawaiian Tropic, MONAT, SkinCeuticals and La Roche-Posay
Sensitive skin varies hugely in terms of what might "set it off", meaning finding the best sunscreens for sensitive skin isn't a one size fits all situation. With this in mind, we put dozens of formulas to the test with at least one full day of work each on multiple testers with various types of sensitivity. While assessing each formula, they paid close attention to the following factors.
- Ingredients and formulation: For example, skincare ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, or non-comedogenic properties
- Type of UV filters used: Mineral, chemical or a combination of both
- Level of protection: The SPF rating and broad spectrum protection (covering both UVA and UVB)
- Consistency and feel of the formula
- Ease of application
- How it interacted with the skin and any makeup applied over the top
- Packaging
- Price and value for money
Each one of the sunscreens in our guide made the cut because it impressed our testers based on the above criteria. We therefore deem them reliable, enjoyable to use, shout-out worthy sunscreens for sensitive skin.
How to choose a sunscreen for sensitive skin
Once you know what to look for, there are several things to consider when it comes to picking the best sunscreen for your sensitive skin, specifically. The following list covers these key factors, according to the experts.
- Chemical vs physical: There are two types of sunscreens: chemical and physical. Very generally speaking, chemical-based sunscreens use chemicals like octinoxate, avobenzone and oxybenzone to absorb the rays of the sun and convert them into heat. Physical sunscreens work by bouncing away the sun's UV rays from the skin's surface. "I would recommend seeking physical sunscreens," explains Dr Vig. "They are a gentler option and contain ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are less likely to cause irritation as chemical sunscreens do."
- Consider fragrance-free: "Fragrance is a blanket term for essential oils and perfumes, so it’s difficult to discern exactly what ingredients are being included and how your skin may react," notes Cindy Ha, lead aesthetician at Fairmont Spa Century Plaza. Perfume in skincare can also cause allergic contact dermatitis, which manifests as red, blotchy, scaly patches that are itchy. Of course, it is possible that something else entirely may cause irritation in a non-fragranced skincare product, which is why it's always worth doing a patch test before slathering a new product all over your skin to check for any signs of a reaction.
- Be mindful of sensitising ingredients: We're stating the obvious here, but if you know that certain skincare ingredients are triggers for your skin to react badly, ensure that any potential new sunscreen doesn't contain them by checking the ingredients list before checking out.
Do you need to wear sunscreen every day?
Absolutely. Firstly, sunscreen will protect your skin from UV damage and burning, which increases your risk of skin cancer. But not only that, UV radiation also causes photoageing (accelerated skin ageing), so applying sunscreen 365 days a year will help to shield your skin and prevent this, too. Look for a broad spectrum sunscreen as this term means it will protect the skin from both UVA and UVB rays.
Does sunscreen expire?
All beauty products have a shelf life so, yes, sunscreen does expire. In fact, it's all the more important here as, if the UV filters are past their best, your skin won't be protected from the sun's damaging rays.
One of two symbols on the product packaging (both of which are visible below) indicates how long a skincare product lasts. An open box containing a number and the letter M – e.g. "12M" – means the product should be used within 12 months of opening. In this case, it's sensible to write the day you opened it somewhere on the packaging so you don't forget.
The back of a La Roche-Posay skincare product showing both expiry symbols and a use-by date
The other symbol to take note of is a black and white egg timer, which indicates the product has a max shelf life of 30 months. It will therefore also have a use-by date on the packaging; both symbols and a use by date are visible on the above product as an example.
If the use by date is on the external packaging, such as a cardboard box, but not the bottle, be sure to write it on the actual product to remind you when it's time to dispose of any remaining sunscreen and buy a new one. But as sunscreen should be applied daily, it's unlikely to get to that point!
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