17 Best Sunscreen for Acne-Prone Skin, According to Dermatologists

Shopping for the best sunscreen for acne-prone skin is no simple task. You can’t just saunter into Sephora and choose whichever sunscreen bottle or stick looks best on the shelf, since this skin type often needs a facial sunscreen that’s lightweight, yet simultaneously stable and long-lasting; something that doesn’t melt down your cheeks and forehead the second you sweat or get greasy, but is still gentle enough to not aggravate the skin even more.

As someone who falls into the acne-prone, greasy, and sensitive trifecta of skin types (I know, I’m #blessed), I’ll be the first to admit that finding that perfect match can feel exhausting. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be—at least not anymore. Glamour editors have done extensive testing so you don’t have to, and we asked leading dermatologists which types of sunscreen they recommend for patients with acne-prone skin—plus exactly what to look for while shopping for them.

Best Sunscreen for Acne-Prone Skin 2023

• Best Overall: EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, $43
• Best Tinted Sunscreen: Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF, $49
• Best Drugstore SPF: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion Sunscreen, $16
• Best Matte Finish: Supergoop! 100% Mineral Mattescreen Sunscreen SPF 40, $38
• Best for Dark Skin Tones: Live Tinted Hueguard 3-in-1 Broad Spectrum Mineral SPF 30 Primer, $32

“For oily and/or acne-prone skin, choose noncomedogenic, oil-free, fragrance-free, and lightweight sunscreens,” Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, board-certified cosmetic and medical dermatologist at Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York, tells Glamour. Additionally, the ideal sunscreen for acne-prone and oily skin will have acne-fighting and anti-inflammatory ingredients, like lactic acid and niacinamide, Murphy-Rose adds.

Azadeh Shirazi, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist at and founder of La Jolla Dermatology in California, stresses niacinamide as a hero ingredient for acne-prone skin, since it helps with regulating oil production and calming inflammation and breakouts.

As for what to avoid? Dr. Shirazi points to thick ingredients like coconut oil, mineral oil, beeswax, and silicones. “These ingredients are more likely to clog pores and flare up acne breakouts, particularly in warmer months. Instead look for hydrating ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid in sunscreens,” she says. “I favor mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide for acne-prone skin, since zinc is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and less likely to cause a reaction disruption of the skin barrier.”

Now that you’re caught up on all things acne and SPF, shop the best sunscreen for acne-prone skin ahead.