Have rosacea and looking for a good sunscreen to protect your sensitive rosacea-prone skin? Don’t worry, in this guide we’ll explore what to look for in a good sunscreen for rosacea and help you choose the best option for your skin!
What is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a skin condition that causes redness and irritation of the face, including the forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. In short, it causes suffers’ skin to flush and redden more easily than the average person.
Rosacea can also result in additional skin sensitivity and uneven skin texture.
Rosacea is most commonly seen in middle-aged adults with fair skin who blush easily or frequently use blood thinners, such as aspirin. Rosacea is not contagious, but it can be hereditary.
Why Do People With Rosacea Need to Use Sunscreen?
Individuals with rosacea have sensitive skin and are more susceptible to sun damage. UV radiation can further contribute to a roasacea suffer’s inflammation, so it’s essential that individuals with rosacea find a sunscreen that adequatly protects their skin without irritating or inflamming it.
What Types of Sunscreens are Best for Rosacea?
Physical sunscreens, such as those with zinc oxide, are best for rosacea-prone skin, as these ingredients are ideal for soothing and protecting rosacea sufferers.
The downside of zinc oxide and other physical sunscreens is that, since they sit on top of the skin to prevent UV radiation, they don’t absorb directly into the skin very well, and may result in a white cast. However, many zinc oxide-based sunscreens today use nano zinc oxide, which uses nanoparticles to dissolve better and will not leave any kind of white cast on your skin!
Also keep an eye out for sunscreens containing aloe vera, green tea extracts, ginkgo biloba and other natural ingredients that can soothe the sensitive skin of rosacea sufferers. Aslo remember that rosacea sufferers tend to struggle with dry, irritated skin, so any sunscreen that specialized in sensitive skin or moisturizing properties is best. Look for inactive ingredients like glycerin, niacinamide, and dimethicone.
Those with rosacea should avoid chemical sunscreens since they have more potential to cause irritation to the skin. The best sunscreens for rosacea will also not cause further irritation to the inflamed skin. This means you should avoid sunscreens with heavy fragrances or alcohol, which can sting your skin if it’s already irritated.
Look for gentle sunscreens that are oil-free, fragrance-free, paraban-free, alcohol-free, noncomedogenic, and hypoallergenic.
Best Sunscreen for Rosacea: Our Favorites!
1. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Sunscreen For Face
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Sunscreen
$37.99
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Sunscreen For Face SPF 50 is fan favorite pick for rosacea. It’s gentler on the skin than most products, fragrance-free, and paraben-free. The smooth, milky sunscreen generally doesn’t cause flare-ups (even for those with ultra-sensitive skin) and leaves a natural finish.
This sunscreen is soft and dries nicely with its lightweight texture, despite being a zinc-based sunscreen, which often feels heavier on the skin).
2. Elta MD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum
Elta MD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum
$40.00
When you’re living with rosacea, you’re probably dealing with other skin issues as well, like acne. And it can be hard to find a sunscreen that won’t make your breakouts worse. That’s why Elta MD UV Clear Sunscreen is best for acne-prone as well as rocasea-prone skin.
Formulated with zinc oxide and octinoxate (plus niacinamide, lactic acid, and hyaluronic acid), this is one of the best sunscreens on the market for people dealing with pigmented, sensitive, or break-out prone skin. One more thing: It’s hypoallergenic so there are no irritants to deal with (hurrah)!
3. Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Physical Defense SPF 30
Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Physical Defense
$34.00
The Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer is a sensitive-skin-friendly sunscreen that’s rich in zinc oxide, while also boasting antioxidants to protect and soothe fragile skin.
Free of problematic, allergy-triggering ingredients like oxybenzone (a common ingredient in chemical sunscreens), oils, fragrances, and other additives, it’s gentle and soothing for rosacea sufferers.
The consistency is creamy and lightweight, allowing the sunscreen to soften skin while avoiding any oily sensations or the dreaded white cast often associated with zinc-based sunscreens.
4. Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Face Sunscreen
Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch
$14.49
Boasting a composition for 21% zinc oxide coverage, Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch is another good option for people with skin issues like rosacea. The best part? This zinc oxide sunscreen for your face is much more budget-friendly than some of the others on this list!
It’s worth noting that there have been some mixed reviews on the product leaving a white cast (which is par for the course with most zinc-based sunscreens), and some finding it excessively drying, but overall it seems like a solid choice!
5. Blue Lizard Facial Mineral Sunscreen
Blue Lizard Facial Mineral Sunscreen
Price not available
Blue Lizard’s water-gel sunscreen is a lightweight formula that won’t clog your pores or trigger symptoms of rosacea.
This super-hydrating sunscreen with broad spectrum protection actually includes mineral elements (like zinc oxide) alongside chemical ingredients (like octinocate). While this may mean irritation for a select few, we’re optimisic Blue Lizard will be a great option for most users – especially since this sunscreen is paraben-free and fragrance-free. It’s also been formulated speciifcally for facial use and is noncomedognic, so it should be plenty gentle.
The water-gel formula also has the advantage of not leaving any greasy sensation or white cast. The Blue Lizard formula also has some popular additives, such as green tea, caffeine, vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid.
6. Supergood! Unseen Sunscreen
Supergood! Unseen Sunscreen
$38.00
Across the board, one of the best sunscreens for rosacea is Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen. This skin care product provides high SPF protection while still remarkably gentle and moisturizing.
Those with sensitive skin often prefer Supergoop! sunscreen because it’s fragrance, oil, and paraben-free. Many adore this sunscreen for its moisturizing properties plus the fact that is boasts SPF 40+ protection while still going on clear (and not pilling under makeup to boot!
While many other sunscreens are cheaper in price than Supergoop!, you can feel confident that what you’re putting on your face is worth the cost to protect your skin!
FAQ for Choosing a Sunscreen for Rosacea
Does sunscreen help with rosacea?
Sunscreen may not prevent rosacea itself, but it can prevent rosacea from being exacerbated through UV radiation. Plus, a side effect of rosacea is that the skin tends to be ultra-sensitive, which means sunscreen is even more essential. If you have rosacea, the best sunscreen for you is a physical zinc oxide sunscreen that offers UVA and UVB protection.
How do you protect rosacea from the sun?
The best way to protect your rosacea from the sun is to wear a physical sunscreen that offers UVA and UVB protection every day, year-round. Always opt for a gentle, noncomedogenic, and fragrance-free formula that won’t irritate the skin.
Is Neutrogena sunscreen good for rosacea?
If you have rosacea, it’s best to choose a physical zinc oxide sunscreen that’s gentle and won’t cause flare-ups. Neutrogena offers a broad range of sunscreens, many of which are gentle, noncomedogenic formulas for sensitive skin types, such as those with rosacea.
How often should someone with rosacea wear sunscreen?
Since those with rosacea are even more sensitive to the sun that average, rosacea sufferers should always use sunscreen on their face, even when indoors, and should reapply sunscreen frequently during the day.
Rosacea is a skin condition that can be exacerbated by prolonged sun exposure. As such, it’s best to wear sunscreen every day of the year in order to protect your rosacea from UV radiation and other environmental factors. If you have rosacea or sensitive skin, make sure to look for gentle non-comedogenic formulas when shopping for sunscreen.
The best type of sunscreen for people with rosacea is one which offers UVA and UVB protection like zinc oxide lotions because they are less likely to cause flare ups than chemical sunscreens.
What’s your favorite type of sunscreen for rosacea? Let us know in the comments!
