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When your skin is easily irritated by what can feel like everything under the sun, the best sunscreens for sensitive skin may be your saving grace. The ever-growing skin-care market is catering more than ever to those with reactive skin, so it's breezier to find a formula that will suit you and your sensitivity while providing top-of-the-line protection from cancer-causing sun exposure.
On this list, you'll find mostly mineral sunscreens—with a handful of chemical-hybrid ones (if that's what you prefer) that tend to be kinder to those with skin sensitivities. Read on for the favorites trusted and recommended by editors and dermatologists that leave skin soothed and, more importantly, protected from the sun (with proper reapplication, of course).
Our Top Sunscreens for Sensitive Skin
- Best Overall: EltaMD UV Skin Recovery Red Color Correcting Green Tint SPF 50, $52
- Best for Redness: SkinCeuticals Clear Daily Soothing UV Defense Cream SPF 50, $54
- Best for Dry Skin: Lightsaver Triplesome Serum SPF 40, $55
- Best Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen, $43
- Best for Deeper Skin Tones: Dr. Few Tinted Mineral Sunscreen, $85
- Best Lightweight: Kate Somerville Hydrakate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops, $46
- Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Vanicream Facial Moisturizer with SPF 30, $15
- Best Tinted: Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50, $58
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- How can I benefit from sunscreen for sensitive skin?
- What's the difference between a chemical and a mineral sunscreen?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: EltaMD UV Skin Recovery Red Color Correcting Green Tint SPF 50
EltaMD
UV Skin Recovery Red Color Correcting Green Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Amazon
Dermstore
Bluemercury
Jesa Marie Calaor applying EltaMD’s UV Skin Recovery SPF 50 Sunscreen
Jesa Marie Calaor
Why it's worth it: A 2025 Best of Beauty Award winner, EltaMD's UV Skin Recovery SPF 50 Sunscreen is like the Swiss Army knife of sunscreens—sensitive-skin-friendly, non-greasy, and redness-neutralizing, thanks to a green tint that works some color-theory magic. That green pigment comes from Centella asiatica (cica), a skin-care staple that counteracts redness and soothes irritation. The amino acid complex—comprising taurine, arginine, and glycine—was refined through over 100 rounds of testing to repair damage and help prevent future irritation and redness. This mineral sunscreen is also packed with ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier and deliver lasting hydration, ensuring your complexion remains calm, protected, and comfortable throughout the day.
Tester feedback from senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor
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“I love how this green sunscreen tones down the redness I typically experience around my nose and on my cheeks. It feels so good—like a moisturizer—and never ever leaves a white cast.” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 12.9% zinc oxide, amino acids, cica, ceramides
- Tinted: yes (color-correcting green tint)
- Who it's for: everyone
- Type: mineral
- Water-resistant: no
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Redness: SkinCeuticals Clear Daily Soothing UV Defense Cream SPF 50
SkinCeuticals
Clear Daily Soothing UV Defense Cream SPF 50
Dermstore
SkinCeuticals
Bluemercury
Allure contributor Marci Robin applying the SkinCeuticals Clear Daily Soothing UV Defense Cream SPF 50
Marci Robin
Why it's worth it: Yes, we want our sunscreen to absorb quickly. Yes, we want serious protection. Yes, we want zero chalky cast. But for redness- or irritation-prone skin, sometimes that’s not enough. Enter SkinCeuticals Clear Daily Soothing UV Defense Cream SPF 50—a featherlight mineral-chemical hybrid that goes beyond basic sun care. Calming powerhouses palmitoyl tripeptide-8 and bisabolol work to dial down flare-ups, while glycerin keeps your complexion comfortably hydrated. For protection, it combines 7% zinc oxide with chemical filters and Netlock technology, ensuring the UV filters spread evenly, so you’re fully shielded from the sun that can trigger and worsen redness.
Tester feedback from contributor Marci Robin
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“If there’s one concern of mine that hasn’t changed in 20 years, it’s sun protection. I’m the only person I know who moved from New York to Florida and got paler. What has changed, however, is my tolerance for chemical sunscreens, which I typically prefer over mineral sunscreens because they don’t leave white casts. But Clear Daily Soothing UV Defense leaves out what I’ve found to be the biggest irritation culprit—avobenzone—and provides its broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection with a hybrid of other chemical and mineral filters: homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, and zinc oxide, among them. It’s formulated to keep skin calm, not to mention hydrated enough to skip a pre-sunscreen moisturizer if you’re not very dry. And even when I apply it very generously (the only way to apply it, if we’re being honest with ourselves), it blends in beautifully and leaves me glowy, not greasy.” —Marci Robin, contributor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 7% zinc oxide, 8% homosalate, 5% octisalate, 5% octocrylene palmitoyl tripeptide-8, bisabolol, glycerin
- Tinted: no
- Who it's for: people with redness-prone skin
- Type: mineral and chemical
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Water-resistant: no
Best for Dry Skin: Lightsaver Triplesome Serum SPF 40
Lightsaver
Triplesome Serum SPF 40
Lightsaver
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Lightsaver Triplesome Serum SPF 40
Sarah Han
Why it's worth it: While Lightsaver Triplesome Serum SPF 40 comes in just two shades, it’s less about perfecting your skin tone and more about delivering a luminous, healthy glow. This dermatologist-formulated mineral sunscreen-serum hybrid pairs 15.7% zinc oxide for SPF 40 protection with the brand’s Triplesome Repair Complex-3 (three DNA-repair enzymes) that help minimize UV damage and oxidative stress. Calming botanicals like centella asiatica, green tea, and panthenol soothe and support your skin barrier, while the silky, weightless texture of the serum effortlessly offsets dryness, whether applied under makeup or worn alone.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“A more lightweight version of the original Lightsaver SPF I love so much? Yeah, I wasn't surprised either when I tried Triplesome Serum and liked it right off the bat. I've said this so many times on-site, but I'm super picky when it comes to mineral sunscreens. It's a given that any good sunscreen melts into your skin quickly and seamlessly, but it's simply a hallmark of Triplesome that I can't stress enough. Ivory blends into my particular skin tone with no issue, but I typically go for the Tinted version because it gives me the perfect no-makeup-makeup coverage but also provides the ideal base (I can skip foundation and/or concealer) to build up my look if I so choose. The lineup of skin-soothing ingredients is the cherry on top of this permanent addition to my SPF rotation.” —Sarah Han, commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 15.7% zinc oxide, triplesome repair complex-3, panthenol, centella asiatica, green tea extract
- Tinted: yes (2 shades)
- Who it's for: people with dry skin
- Type: mineral
- Water-resistant: no
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen
La Roche-Posay
Anthelios 50 Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen
Amazon
Dermstore
Ulta Beauty
Deanna Pai applying La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen
Deanna Pai
Why it's worth it: Shari Marchbein, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, likes La Roche-Posay's Anthelios 50 Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen because it's ultra-sheer and sinks in so fast that you barely feel like you're wearing anything. "It has a subtle mattifying effect that's perfect to wear under makeup," she adds. It's also infused with vitamin E oil to nourish and strengthen the skin barrier. If you're after even more UV protection, opt for La Roche Posay's Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF 60.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
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“I don't typically trust untinted mineral sunscreens, since they almost always leave a white cast on my olive skin. Not this one! It's practically perfect: It doesn't have a weird scent, absorbs quickly, and even seems to control the shine on my nose, leaving my very oily T-zone looking more matte, but not flat or one-dimensional. The tube also holds a ton of product, too, so it can last me through a beach trip and then some.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 6% titanium dioxide, 5% zinc oxide, vitamin E, La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water
- Tinted: no
- Who it's for: all skin types
- Type: mineral
- Water-resistant: yes (40 minutes)
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Deeper Skin Tones: Dr. Few Tinted Mineral Sunscreen
Dr. Few
Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
Dr. Few Skincare
Annie Blay-Tettey applying Dr. Few Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
Annie Blay-Tettey
Why it’s worth it: If you think it’s impossible to find a mineral sunscreen that blends seamlessly into deep skin tones, Dr. Few’s Tinted Mineral Sunscreen (a 2024 Best of Beauty Award winner) is ready to prove you wrong. The creamy formula has a lightweight consistency and tan tint that make sure it looks natural (read: no greasy sheen or white cast). Its hydrating ingredients, including hyaluronic acid and shea butter, will give your skin a smoother, softer feel—you might even want to skip applying moisturizer underneath this. And yes, $85 is a lot, but our tester thinks the elegant consistency and moisturizing feel are worth the price tag.
Tester feedback from associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey
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“I came across the Dr. Few Tinted Mineral SPF when one of my coworkers handed it to me in the office and asked me to try it out for our Best of Beauty Awards (Spoiler: It won). I was immediately intrigued by the heavy black bottle—it felt luxurious. When I finally applied it all over my face, the peach-tinted cream melted into my skin quickly, and after a few seconds of rubbing it in, became completely invisible. Not only that, but it also left my face feeling soft and supple—likely due to the jojoba oil and sodium hyaluronate which hydrate and smooth the skin. Now I reach for it almost every morning, though I’ve started using it more sparingly, considering that it is a hefty $85. (It’s worth every penny though.)” —Annie Blay-Tettey, associate beauty editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 25% zinc oxide, shea butter, jojoba seed oil, hyaluronic acid, soothing bisabolol
- Tinted: yes (universal tint)
- Who it's for: deep skin tones
- Type: mineral
- Water-resistant: no
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Lightweight: Kate Somerville HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops
Kate Somerville
HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops
Amazon
Nordstrom
Dermstore
Jessica Cruel applying the Kate Somerville HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops
Jessica Cruel
Why it's worth it: If you've yet to find a sunscreen that makes you excited to re-apply (and re-apply), drop what you're doing and pick up a bottle of the Kate Somerville Hydrakate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops. Powered by ectoin—a soothing, free-radical-defending skin-care ingredient found in bacteria (the good kind our bodies need). Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, previously explained: "Ectoin helps protect cellular integrity in extreme weather conditions." By binding with water molecules, ectoin "surrounds cells, enzymes, proteins, and other biomolecules by forming protective, nourishing, and stabilizing hydration shells around them," cosmetic chemist Krupa Koestline noted. This Best of Beauty-winning sunscreen leaves behind zero white cast and is lightly tinted to leave behind a glowy finish. Make sure you give the bottle a hearty shake before applying.
Tester feedback from editor in chief Jessica Cruel
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"As a woman with brown skin, I usually run away from mineral sunscreen. Zinc? Ahhh! That's a surefire way to look purple. This lightly tinted formula changed my mind. It's got a watery consistency and blends seamlessly without leaving my skin looking dusty." —Jessica Cruel, editor in chief
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 24.5% non-nano zinc oxide, ectoin
- Tinted: yes (universal tint)
- Who it's for: people with dry skin
- Type: mineral
- Water-resistant: yes (80 minutes)
- Fragrance-free: no
More sunscreens for sensitive skin we love:
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Vanicream Facial Moisturizer with SPF 30
Vanicream
Facial Moisturizer with SPF 30
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: Dye-free, fragrance-free, lanolin-free, and grease-free, yet packed with everything your sensitive skin actually needs. Vanicream Facial Moisturizer SPF 30 pulls double duty as both sunscreen and daily moisturizer, so you can skip a separate hydrator without feeling deprived. It blends in easily, making it an effortless one-and-done step under makeup or on bare skin. “It’s non-comedogenic, so it’s safer for acne-prone skin to avoid clogged pores and breakouts, plus ceramides help keep your complexion hydrated,” says Gloria Lin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group based in New York City.
Editor's tip
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The addition of glycerin in this SPF keeps your skin feeling soft and comfy without a greasy feel.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 19.5% zinc oxide, ceramides, glycerin
- Tinted: yes (universal tint)
- Who it's for: people with dry or acne-prone skin
- Type: mineral
- Water-resistant: yes (40 minutes)
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Tinted: Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50
Colorescience
Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50
Amazon
Nordstrom
Dermstore
Why it's worth it: Tinted mineral sunscreens are notoriously hard to get right, since zinc oxide is white, iron oxides can skew undertones, and the formula still has to melt in smoothly without sacrificing SPF power. Yet, Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50 nails it with a 100 percent mineral formula featuring technology that helps it adjust to your skin tone. “No tinted sunscreen is truly one-shade-fits-all, but these six flexible hues—from fair to deep—come impressively close,” says Geeta Yadav, MD, board-certified dermatologist based in Toronto, Canada. And while the adaptable tint is what hooks you first, the texture seals the deal. “The featherlight lotion morphs from white to tint as you blend, leaving a soft, demi-matte finish,” says Dr. Yadav.
Editors tip
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For effortless and mess-free reapplication, try Colorscience Brush-On Sunscreen Mineral Powder. “It’s perfect for touch-ups over makeup because it mattifies without caking, and the built-in brush makes it ridiculously easy to stash in your bag,” says Dr. Lin.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 12% zinc oxide, niacinamide, bisabolol
- Tinted: yes (6 shades)
- Who it's for: people who want a makeup-sunscreen hybrid
- Type: mineral
- Water-resistant: yes (40 minutes)
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I benefit from sunscreen for sensitive skin?
As we mentioned, it can be challenging for people with sensitive skin to find a sunscreen that won't agitate due to common irritants from chemical sun blockers. If that sounds like you, you'll want to try a gentler mineral sunscreen.
Even if you're not sensitive to every chemical in a chemical sunscreen, discerning which irritates your skin is complicated. "Even if you identify which [kind of] product it is, you don't know which chemical it is [because] formulas typically contain up to four [photoprotective chemicals]," says board-certified dermatologist Corey L. Hartman, MD, based in Birmingham, Alabama. Thus, a mineral sunscreen with no chemicals rids you of the root issue.
Another consideration is "to avoid mineral sunscreens that have parabens, phthalates, and added fragrances, as these can cause irritation, redness, and inflammation of the skin," Dr. Lamm notes. The lesson: Always read the ingredient list, especially as some sunscreens are hybrid formulas and contain physical and chemical UV filters.
What's the difference between a chemical and a mineral sunscreen?
"Physical sunscreens (a.k.a. mineral) work by reflecting the UV rays off skin," he says. Conversely, Dr. Lamm explains that chemical-filter sun protection products work by absorbing the sun's rays that hit your skin rather than bouncing them off.
Mineral-based products utilize, well, mineral filters like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are usually gentler than chemical options. "Mineral sunscreens also typically do not irritate the eyes like chemical sunscreens," he says. Plus, they're photostable, so they don't need to be applied as regularly as chemical sunscreens, according to New York City-based, board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD.
That's not to say people with sensitive skin can never use chemical sunscreen—it just may involve more trial and error to discern which (if any) ingredients spur adverse reactions. More important than anything, though, is to use any sunscreen—period. "My recommendation is to find a sunscreen you love, chemical or physical, and use it every single day," says Muneeb Shah, MD, a Wilmington, North Carolina-based, board-certified dermatologist. "Whichever sunscreen you love, as long as the SPF is [at least] 30, is the sunscreen for you."
Meet the experts
- Corey L. Hartman, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology based in Birmingham, Alabama
- Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Idriss Skincare based in New York City
- Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Gloria Lin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group based in New York City
- Shari Marchbein, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Muneeb Shah, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Wilmington, North Carolina
- Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology based in Toronto, Canada
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best sunscreens for sensitive skin, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, protection, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors — along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.