Our Fave Sunscreens For Acne-Prone Skin (No SPF Breakouts Here!)

Finding your ideal sunscreen is a piece of work on its own – there are a lot of factors to keep in mind: your skin type, your skin sensitivities, and will it leave a ghostly white cast finish? The SPF rating, does it pill? Is it matte or dewy? The list goes on and on.

By now, I’m sure you’re all well-versed on the subject of sunscreen and the importance of wearing it every day (if not, see why here), but for some acne-prone beauties, sunblocks used to come with several complexities in the form of unwanted breakouts and irritation catalyzed by customarily thick, greasy and scented SPFs.

But thanks to good old technology, present-day sunscreen formulations are now WAY more diverse, offering a myriad of skin-friendly SPF varieties that will keep your skin protected without breaking you out. Here are seven non-comedogenic, oil and fragrance-free sunblocks that your skin will love…

1. Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 PA +++, $30

Source: Biossance

This isn’t your average SPF, boo. For starters, its vegan formula uses zinc oxide for lightweight (yet serious) protection against UVA and UVB rays. Water lily and squalane also add a double dose of hydration to soothe and calm your skin if you’ve been out in the sun for too long. We love that it applies smoothly without a greasy feel and wears well under makeup – a must for us!

2. EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, $39

Source: EltaMD

You’ll always find this SPF at the top of derm-approved online lists. It’s a lightweight and oil-free formula that protects and provides acne and rosacea relief. It’s made with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and lactic acid to hydrate, fade spots, lessen redness, and keep excess oils at bay.

3. Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 PA+++, $36

Source: Supergoop!

If you’re looking for a sunscreen that ticks ALL the boxes, Supergoop! is featherlight, scentless, and delivers a flawless ‘now you see me, now you don’t’ finish. It’s an oil-free, water and sweat-resistant blend that’s perfect for fitness-loving huns. It’s infused with frankincense and a meadowfoam seed complex to help soothe skin and boost hydration.

4. Black Girl Sunscreen Make It Matte Sunscreen – SPF 45, $18

Source: Black Girl Sunscreen

Last year, Black Girl Sunscreen added a mattifying formulation to their lineup of cult-fave sun creams – and boy does it not disappoint. When it comes to its white-cast-free finish, it’s literal invisibility-cloak-levels. It’s vegan and reef-safe, and it’s infused with a mix of skin-loving natural ingredients like aloe, squalane, and shea butter to keep your skin cool, calm, and collected.

5. Cetaphil® DermaControl™ Oil Control Moisturizer, $18

Source: Cetaphil

Another gem that delivers round-the-clock hydration and a mattifying finish that lasts thanks to its MicroPearl technology, which helps reduce shine and oiliness, resulting in a velvet-like and more balanced skin texture. It also boasts Oleosome technology to elevate hydration and lessen irritation.

6. EleVen by Venus Williams Unrivaled Sun Serum SPF 35, $50

Source: EleVen by Venus Williams

When one of the greatest sportswomen of all time designs her very own SPF, you 1. gather your coins and 2. listen up. Award-winning and backed by derms, this clean and vegan sun serum is a go-to fave for sunny days. It’s lightweight and quick-absorbing, and it works wonderfully underneath makeup, creating the perfect semi-matte skin canvas.

A few star ingredients it combines include coconut fruit extract, allantoin, and shea butter, which work together to moisturize and soothe, as well as mandarin, vanilla fruit, and ginger lily extracts to nourish and brighten your complexion.

7. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Light Fluid Face Sunscreen SPF 60, $32

Source: La Roche-Posay

Once you try this sunblock, you’ll understand why it’s a multi-award winner. It’s a classic all-rounder – airy, mattifying, fast-absorbing, white-cast-free, non-comedogenic, and water-resistant, and it’s suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive, and it also doesn’t pill underneath foundation.

8. Paula’s Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50, $19

Source: Paula’s Choice

Another industry fave that beauty ed’s love – this is a weightless and silky broad-spectrum for face and body, perfect for those with active lifestyles. It’s antioxidant-rich with vitamin C, A, and aloe to hydrate, protect and relieve irritated skin. It also consists of bentonite to help absorb any excess surface oils.

Now that you’ve found your SPF soulmate, consider pairing it with an SPF-infused lip balm or treatment. Here we round up some of our current favorites that will safeguard your pucker this summer.

Disclaimer: Every product we review has been independently selected and tested without bias by our editorial team. We never take payment to review products, although some brands allow affiliate links, so we may earn a commission if you purchase a product by clicking on one of our links.