Not all sunscreens are created equally, and when it comes to choosing the right sunscreen that will both protect your skin and work with your unique skin type, its important to take the time to understand what your needs are. “Sensitive skin can be difficult to work with because many ingredients that seem like they would be harmless can often cause irritation,” says Dr. Parks, a board-certified Dermatologist and the founder of DermWarehouse. Nevertheless, there are sunscreens on the market that can be great for sensitive skin. Plus, SPF can help protect sensitive skin from irritation caused by UV radiation.
What Causes Sensitive Skin?
“Sensitive skin is characterized by a heightened reaction to certain products or environmental factors,” says Dr. Parks. “Common symptoms include redness, itching, burning, dryness, and a general feeling of discomfort,” he says. If you often feel as if your skin is irritated but don’t have blemishes, it can be a surefire sign that you have sensitive skin. Finding the right products, in this case, will help to alleviate some of those symptoms and protect your skin from suffering from more irritation later on.
“Sensitive skin can be caused by a variety of factors, such as genetics, skin conditions, environmental factors like pollution or changes in the weather, or even the products you use,” says Dr. Parks.
DermWarehouse CEO Stefanie Parks points out that products with active ingredients, such as retinoids, can often cause increased sensitivity. “We often remind our customers who purchase retinoids to layer their product in between moisturizers or other soothing ingredients like hyaluronic acid. This can help prevent some of that irritation and increased sensitivity you may experience when using specific active ingredients,” she says.
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How to Help Sensitive Skin
With sensitive skin, often times less is more. “Layering too many products or frequently using active ingredients can often worsen symptoms associated with sensitive skin,” says Dr. Parks. The good news is, though, that SPF is a great way to protect your sensitive skin from harmful UV radiation which can also trigger periods of sensitivity.
“If you have sensitive skin, the last thing you want is to forget to put on sunscreen,” says Stefanie Parks. “UV radiation can cause skin damage which comes with its own irritation, often worsening symptoms for those with sensitive skin,” she says.
Other ingredients to avoid include things like alcohol and fragrance, which can be commonly found in some topical SPFs on the market. Skincare and makeup products with fragrances or alcohol can dry out the skin, causing irritation among people with sensitivity. When combined with active ingredients, this can often become even worse. “Preservatives and oxybenzone are two other ingredients that are common in SPFs that can irritate sensitive skin, so it’s best to look for mineral-based sunscreens that won’t trigger that sensitivity,” says Stefani.
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Best Sunscreens for Sensitive Skin
“Opt for SPF products with no fragrance or color to them,” says Stefanie. “Elta MD has some of the most popular SPFs on the market, and some of the most popular at DermWarehouse,” she says. The Elta MD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF contains no added fragrance or alcohol, and includes hyaluronic acid to nourish sensitiv skin while protecting it from UV radiation.
Elta MD offers a wide range of products across the line that are ideal for different needs and lifestyles, but all carry similar values in delivering high quality products that won’t irritate sensitive skin. “This sunscreen offers broad-spectrum protection with an SPF of 46, making it ideal for daily use,” says Dr. Parks. “It contains zinc oxide and octinoxate, providing both physical and chemical protection. Additionally, it’s formulated with niacinamide, which helps to calm and soothe irritated skin. It’s also fragrance-free, oil-free, and non-comedogenic, making it a great choice for sensitive skin prone to breakouts,” he says.
“Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic SPFs will also prevent worsening sensitivity,” says Dr. Parks. Elta MD SPFs fall into that category, as well as other popular products such as the Jan Marini Physical Protectant SPF 45 or the Toleraine Double Repair Moisturizer UV from La Roche-Posay, as well as the Anthelios line from La Roche-Posay. “This broad-spectrum sunscreen is known for its lightweight, non-greasy texture that absorbs quickly into the skin,” says Stefanie. “The Anthelios line is one of our most popular at DermWarehouse, especially among darker skin tones because it doesn’t leave a whitecast,” she says.
To better protect your skin from the sun, apply a generous amount of SPF regularly throughout the day. Most sunscreens wear off after a couple of hours, so its important to reapply—especially if you’re outside getting exposure to UV radiation. Regular SPF use can even help sensitive skin, as UV radiation can worsen sensitivity and irritate existing blemishes and breakouts.
