The Best Sunscreens For People With Rosacea

Best Sunscreens for Rosacea

We independently select and review the products we recommend. If you make a purchase using our affiliate links below, we may earn a commission.

Besides causing premature signs of aging like dark spots and wrinkles, it’s no secret that sun exposure is a major trigger for rosacea. It can worsen redness and sensitivity. That’s why sunscreens are among the most important products to include in a skincare routine for rosacea.

Personally, incorporating a nice-feeling sunscreen into my daily routine was the best thing I’ve ever done for my rosacea. And I know that if you haven’t found something that works for your skin, things might get a bit frustrating.

That’s why I put together my favorite sunscreens that I can comfortably use on my rosacea skin. Hopefully, one will work for your skin too.

Best Sunscreens For Rosacea

Below are gentle sunscreens you can comfortably use on rosacea skin.

1. La Roche Posay Anthelios Mineral Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 50

La Roche Posay Anthelios Mineral Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 50 - Best Sunscreens For Rosacea

Ask any dermatologist and this is the first sunscreen they recommend. Loved by dermatologists, and formulated for sensitive skin, this is overall an amazing sunscreen for people with rosacea. It’s water-resistant. It offers a satisfying level of protection and comes with an antioxidant-rich botanical extract to amplify your protection against free radicals. It’s also free of alcohol, fragrance, and oil and is among dermatologists’ top recommendations for rosacea sufferers. No uncomfortable feeling on the skin, no white residue whatsoever! And it’s perfect under makeup too.

SPF: Mineral SPF 50
Other Ingredients: Vitamin E, candle tree extract
Formula: Fragrance-free, oil-free
Size: 1.7 oz/50 ml

2. CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen Face Sheer Tint SPF 30

Cerave Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 30 - Best Drugstore Sunscreen For Rosacea

This is a very moisturizing mineral sunscreen formulated with the signature blend of hydration boosters. Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and niacinamide support the skin barrier while SPF 30 protects against UV. It’s light, non-comedogenic, and blends easily. The formula is free of fragrance and alcohol and incredibly sensitive-skin-friendly. It has a sheer tint to it to prevent white residue and has a nice, subtle, glowy finish. Plus, it’s super budget-friendly!

SPF: Mineral SPF 30
Other Ingredients: Niacinamide, ceramides, hyaluronic acid
Formula: Fragrance-free, oil-free
Size: 1.7 oz/50 ml

3. Supergoop! Mattescreen SPF 40

Supergoop! Mattescreen SPF 40 - Best Sunscreens For Rosacea Acne

This mineral sunscreen is perfect for people with rosacea who happen to also deal with oily and acne-prone skin. Because of the matte finish of the product, you don’t need to worry about greasy-looking or sticky-feeling skin. The mineral formula is easy to blend and leaves no white cast on the skin. It’s not drying for the skin and works great as a primer too by blurring out pores. It’s non-comedogenic and free of alcohol and fragrance.

SPF: Mineral SPF 40
Other Ingredients: Bamboo extract, ginger extract
Formula: Oil-free, fragrance-free
Size: 1.5 oz/45 ml
Good To Know: Cruelty-free, vegan

4. Versed Guards Up Daily Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 35

Versed Guards Up Daily Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 35

This is one of the most affordable sunscreens you can safely use when you have rosacea. It’s formulated with zinc oxide and without fragrance, alcohol, or oils. It’s non-comedogenic and has a natural finish with a moisturizing formula. It hydrates with hyaluronic acid and soothes the skin with aloe too.

SPF: Mineral SPF 35
Other Ingredients: Moringa extract, hyaluronic acid
Formula: Fragrance-free, oil-free
Size: 1.7 oz/50 ml
Good To Know: Cruelty-free, vegan

5. Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30

Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30 - Best Korean Sunscreen For Rosacea

This is the sunscreen that should be on your radar this summer, especially if you have oily skin. The green-tinted base doesn’t just provide skincare benefits but also cosmetic benefits. It’ll replace your matte foundation. The tint cancels out any facial redness on the skin. This is quite thick and can be difficult to spread. But work it into the skin and you’ll see that the result is totally worth it. Plus, it’s formulated with Centella Asiatica, which is super soothing for rosacea skin.

SPF: Mineral SPF 30
Other Ingredients: Centella Asiatica, niacinamide, vitamin B5
Formula: Scented
Size: 1.7 oz/50 ml

Related: Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30 Review

6. EltaMD UV Pure Broad-Spectrum SPF 47

EltaMD UV Pure Broad-Spectrum SPF 47 - Best Face Sunscreens For Rosacea

If you prefer something you can use both on the face and the body, this one is perfect. It’s formulated with both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and it’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Its minimal, non-irritating formula contains vitamin C to enhance your sun protection. It’s the perfect sun protection to manage rosacea flares as well as to prevent premature aging.

SPF: Mineral SPF 47
Other Ingredients: Vitamin C
Formula: Fragrance-free, oil-free
Size: 4 oz/114 gr

7. Lancome UV Expert Aquagel Defense 50 Sunscreen

Lancome UV Expert Aquagel Defense 50 Sunscreen - Best Sunscreens For Rosacea

This is a chemical sunscreen I can swear by. Sure, Lancome isn’t a brand dermatologists rave about when rosacea is concerned. But there’s no denying that we all love a good multi-tasker. This one is gentle on the skin, protects with high SPF, and also deeply moisturizes. The dewy finish formula blends easily, disappears into the skin, and works well under makeup too. I have ocular rosacea and I can even use this around my eyes. I’ve not experienced any flares or irritation, whatsoever!

SPF: Chemical SPF 50
Other Ingredients: Vitamin E, moringa extract
Formula: Contains fragrance, oil-free
Size: 1 oz/30 ml

These are my tried and true sunscreens that I can use for my rosacea skin. Remember, proper sun protection prevents rosacea flare-ups caused by sun exposure but also prevents signs of aging like hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles. So wear sunscreen regularly and remember to reapply it every 2 hours. Also, consider tinted moisturizers for rosacea that also contain SPF to get some coverage and neutralize redness as well. If you haven’t found what you’re looking for here, below are things to keep in mind when choosing an SPF for rosacea.

How to Choose Sunscreens For Rosacea

Type of SPF

National Rosacea Society suggests choosing mineral/physical sunscreens, which tend to be gentler on the skin. So go for mineral sunscreens, which usually contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide instead of chemical sunscreens, which usually contain oxybenzone or avobenzone.

That being said, I can say from my personal experience that not all chemical sunscreens are bad. As long as the overall formulation is gentle, there’s no reason for you to avoid chemical sunscreens. They’re invisible on the skin, more aesthetically pleasing, and apply well under makeup.

Formulation

Your skincare rules apply. So avoid sunscreens that contain alcohol, fragrance, or common skincare irritants. Try to make sure your product is minimal to reduce any potential irritation.

Other Ingredients

Sunscreens that contain antioxidants can provide extra protection as well. In fact, a study published in 2021 suggests that the addition of anti-inflammatory ingredients like licorice extract and emollient ingredients (moisturizing) into the SPF formula can help with rosacea flares too.

Read Next: Best Anti-Aging Products For People with Rosacea

Scroll to Top