The 13 Best Sunscreens for Sensitive Skin in 2023, According to Dermatologists

This oil-free, mineral and chemical combination sunscreen is Dr. Finney’s personal favorite for protecting his own sensitive skin against sun damage. Not only is it specifically designed for sensitive skin, but it also contains moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help soothe dry skin.

Read more: Best Moisturizers With SPF

“Fragrance allergy is more common than sunscreen ingredient allergy, so avoiding fragrance for people with sensitive skin is more important than a specific sunscreen ingredient,” says Dr. Finney. When in doubt, look for options like this that say fragrance-free on the bottle.

A combination moisturizer and sunscreen that pulls double duty in your routine, not only does this sensitive skin-friendly sunscreen offer broad spectrum protection, but it also “has niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and ceramides so you are repairing the skin barrier as well,” says Dr. Finney.

For those with true skin allergies, Dr. Finney recommends this sunscreen containing non-nano zinc oxide, meaning the particles are too large to absorb into the skin. Additionally, all the other ingredients are safe for anyone with extremely sensitive or reactive skin.

Dr. Finney recommends this facial sunscreen because it’s “pure zinc oxide” but also contains DNA repairosomes which help to heal existing sun damage and Vitamin E which is a powerful antioxidant for free radical protection.

This super hydrating gel sunscreen contains hyaluronic acid to help keep your skin hydrated but still not greasy or sticky. It uses chemical sunscreen, but Dr. Finney says could still be good for mildly sensitive skin thanks to the additional hydrating factors.

Not only does this sunscreen check all the sensitive skin boxes (mineral sunscreen, fragrance free), but it also contains aloe and oat extracts to help soothe easily irritated skin. Plus, we love how easily it applies.

Here’s a hack: if you have really sensitive skin, look for products that are designed for babies. They usually contain fewer potentially irritating ingredients than adult products and are hypoallergenic. Plus, if you and your kid can use the same sunscreen, it’s an easy way to cut down on how much stuff you lug around with you.

Looking at what additional ingredients your sunscreen has can be just as important as what it doesn’t have. This daily facial sunscreen contains niacinamide that “helps restore the skin barrier and has anti-inflammatory properties, as well as can block pigment changes,” says Dr. Finney.

This combination chemical and mineral sunscreen is fragrance free and sprays on easily without a white cast like from all-mineral versions. The spray formula makes it easy to ensure you don’t miss a spot (just remember you still need to rub it in).

Read more: Best Sunscreen Sprays

As a sunscreen, this stuff is top-notch—easy to rub in and disappears into your skin in seconds. But there’s also niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to help strengthen and hydrate skin all day long.

Sensitive skin needs moisture around the clock, not just at nighttime. This daytime moisturizer provides continuous hydration alongside SPF 30 protection to prevent sun damage, which can wreak havoc on sensitive skin since it's already compromised. It pairs hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acids and ceramides with antioxidants like vitamin C and rose hips to help brighten.

This sun-protecting moisturizer “is great because it’s non-comedogenic (won’t cause acne breakouts), has anti-inflammatory components such as niacinamide and it has prebiotics to help restore the good bacteria that are important for proper functioning of the skin barrier,” says New York-based dermatologist Shira Wieder, MD.