Vanicream Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50+

Best Sunscreen For Very Reactive Skin

Vanicream Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50+

$18 at Amazon$21 at Walmart

Pros

Safe for extremely sensitive skinNon-nano mineral sunscreen won’t absorb into skinSpecifically designed for sensitive skin

Cons

May leave a white castSmall tube

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.

ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+

Best Mineral Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin

ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+

$60 at Amazon

Pros

Mineral protection with zinc oxideLightweightContains other skin-beneficial ingredients

Cons

Some skin tones may see a white castExpensive

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.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel SPF 30

Best Sunscreen for Mildly Sensitive Skin

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel SPF 30

$17 at Amazon$17 at Walmart

Pros

Large bottleClear gel formula leaves no white castContains additional hydrating ingredients

Cons

Chemical sunscreenAdded fragrance may not be good for very sensitive skin

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.

Aveeno Protect + Soothe Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30

Best Sunscreen for Easily Irritated Skin

Aveeno Protect + Soothe Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30

Now 22% Off$11 at Amazon

Pros

100% mineral protectionContains additional soothing ingredients

Cons

May have a white cast on some skin tones

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.

Pipette MIneral Sunscreen SPF 50

Best Sensitive Skin Sunscreen For The Whole Family

Pipette MIneral Sunscreen SPF 50

$15 at iHerb

Pros

Lightweight and fast-absorbingContains additional hydrating ingredientsAllergy tested

Cons

May have a white cast on some skin tones

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.

Paula’s Choice Skin Restoring Moisturizer with SPF 50

Best Face Sunscreen with Niacinamide

Paula’s Choice Skin Restoring Moisturizer with SPF 50

$37 at paulaschoice.com

Pros

Daily moisturizer with sunscreen combines two productsContains niacinamide as well as other skin beneficial ingredientsLightweight

Cons

Chemical sunscreenShea butter may be too heavy for oily or combination skin

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.

Banana Boat Simply Protect Sensitive Sunscreen Spray SPF 50

Best Sunscreen Spray for Sensitive Skin

Banana Boat Simply Protect Sensitive Sunscreen Spray SPF 50

$29 at Amazon$46 at Walmart

Pros

Easy to apply spray formulaChemical and mineral sunscreen combo rubs in easilyFragrance-free

Cons

You still need to rub in a spray

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

Geologie SPF30 Face Sunscreen

Geologie SPF30 Face Sunscreen

$22 at Men’s Health Shop

Pros

Rubs in easilyExtra moisturizing

Cons

Can be pricey

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.

MDSolarSciences Daily Perfecting Moisturizer SPF 30

BEST DAYTIME MOISTURIZER FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

MDSolarSciences Daily Perfecting Moisturizer SPF 30

$76 at Amazon$76 at Skinstore$76 at Dermstore

Pros

Offers lightweight hydration with UVA-UVB protectionBarely leaves a white cast

Cons

Expensive

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.

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer SPF 30

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer SPF 30

$23 at Ulta Beauty$12 at Walmart

Pros

Non comedogenicHas anti-inflammatory ingredients

Cons

Can leave a white cast

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.

What Is the Difference Between Chemical and Mineral Sunscreen?

Chemical sunscreens, like avobenzone and oxybenzone, are absorbed into your skin and create a chemical reaction that converts UV rays to heat which is then dissipated. Mineral sunscreens on the other hand, like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, create a protective barrier on top of your skin that reflects the UV rays before they are absorbed into your skin.

What Is Nano Versus Non-Nano?

You’ll often see the term “non-nano” paired with mineral sunscreens. This refers to the size of the actual mineral sunscreen particles. Nano particles are so microscopic that they they can actually be absorbed into your skin. Non-nano particles, on the other hand, are too large to absorb into your skin and remain on the surface.

Should You Really Use Different Sunscreens on Your Face and Body?

You should wear sunscreen on your face every single day, advises Dr. Finney, which means that you should find a lightweight version you can tolerate either on top of your moisturizer or in place of it (if it has enough moisturizing ingredients in the formula). The skin on your body is slightly thicker, plus you likely won’t wear sunscreen on your body every day (unless you work outside or are exposed to the sun on a daily basis). This is especially important if you have have sensitive skin on your face, which tends to be more reactive in general. You may be able to use a heavier sunscreen on your body than your face can tolerate. “I often tell people to save money on their body sunscreen,” he says, since a higher quality facial sunscreen formula means you’re more likely to wear it every day.

What Causes Skin Reactions in Sunscreen?

It’s fairly rare to have a true allergy to a sunscreen ingredient, but chemical sunscreens are usually the culprit if you have a reaction. This is because they are actually absorbed into your skin unlike mineral sunscreens. There could also be added ingredients in the formula, like Vitamin C or even hyaluronic acid which could cause a reaction in some people. “For must of us, if you just have skin that’s on the drier, more sensitive side, but you’re not really prone to allergies, you don’t need to be as careful in that respect,” says Dr. Finney. But you can err on the side of caution and opt for a lightweight mineral or combination formula.