The Best Sunscreens for Sensory-Sensitive Skin

The Best Sunscreens for Sensory-Sensitive Skin

BY AMBER GIBSON

If you’re like me, you understand the importance of sunscreen but loathe actually putting it on. 

As a kid, I dreaded being slathered with thick, chalky sunscreen before being allowed to go play outside. I felt like a cake being iced with a thick layer of smelly, tacky, inedible fondant frosting. I wanted to crawl out of my skin. I tried to rub off the icky remnants as soon as I could wriggle out of my mom’s grasp. Some days I skipped playing outside altogether to avoid the torture of sunscreen.

A few decades later, my sensory experience is still the same. The difference is that now, there are so many more sunscreens on the market, including lighter, scent-free formulas developed for more sensitive skin that make applying sunscreen a lot less painful. As an adult, I've found the ones that both protect my skin and don't leave me feeling like I’m wearing a birthday cake on my face. 

These are some of my favorites. And if you hate the feel of touching lotion, there’s even this nifty refillable sunscreen applicator that lets you apply your favorite sunscreen with soft bristles, like a paintbrush. It almost feels… kinda nice.

For The Face

Ultraceuticals Ultra UV Protective Daily Moisturising SPF50+ Mineral 

For intense sun days, this dermatologist-developed sunscreen from Australia delivers serious protection and was clinically proven to perform in the harshest sun on earth. It's light, sheer, hypoallergenic, and absorbs quickly on my skin with a soft finish. It's also non-comedogenic, a fancy way of saying it doesn't clog pores, which is also key for me, since some sunscreens can make me break out, but this one never does. I love that it's a 100% mineral-based sunscreen, which is less irritating, and fragrance-free.

OneSkin OS-01 FACE SPF 

I was initially skeptical of this one. Fragrance-free and fast-absorbing, this lightweight mineral sunscreen uses non-nano zinc oxide for broad-spectrum UV protection and includes a trademarked OS-01 Senescence Blocking Peptide™ to reverse existing UV damage. Green tea extract, vitamin C, and acai extract round out the antioxidant team. It might sound too good to be true. But after using this sunscreen consistently for more than a month, my sunspots did noticeably fade a little. Plus, this sunscreen carries the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.

Supergoop! Glow Stick SPF 50 Sunscreen

All of Supergoop’s sunscreens are great, but if you don’t like the feeling of sunscreen all over your fingers, the Glow Stick is perfect. This roll-on sunscreen doesn't tug at the skin and goes on lightly. Its totally clear formula also acts like a highlighter, giving you a subtle radiant glow. The small size and solid format make it convenient to travel with too, since it doesn't count against you as a liquid if you're passing through TSA security.

Thrive SPF30 Daily Defense Sunscreen Balm

This nourishing plant-based mineral sunscreen doubles as my moisturizer, with non-nano zinc oxide blocking UVA/B rays, while also protecting my skin from other environmental stressors. An array of unique regeneratively farmed Costa Rican plants including fierrillo, coralillo, juanilama, and Arabica coffee oil add an anti-inflammatory and healing boost. Plus, it's cruelty-free and reef-safe if you're going in the ocean. The bottle and box are made from 100% recycled materials, and the regenerative business model boosts farmer incomes and improves soil health in Costa Rica.

For The Body

Melan SPF 30 Sunscreen Spray with Vitamin C

I'm a big fan of spray sunscreens since I usually find them easier and more comfortable to apply all over the body compared to lotions. This one is super lightweight and hydrating, with antioxidants from green tea and aloe vera so it’s soothing and never feels itchy. There's a natural subtle citrusy scent from orange, grapefruit, and watermelon, but it's refreshing and not too strong. There's a give-back component too — Founder Brandi Corbello is a melanoma survivor and a portion of each purchase is donated to melanoma research.

MD Solar Sciences Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50

Mineral sunscreens are generally thought to be better for sensitive skin types, but many of them can leave a weird and unflattering white cast upon application. This one thankfully does not, going on smoothly and sheerly, with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide active ingredients. An additional boost of vitamin C and green tea helps protect against environmental damage. I use this one mostly on my body, but it is gentle enough to be used on my face too. Plus, it's been tested on a variety of sensitive skin types, including eczema-prone, rosacea, acne-prone, and melasma.

Suntegrity Unscented Mineral Body Sunscreen SPF 30

If you hate feeling like your skin is slathered, this lightweight sunscreen is for you. It absorbs nicely, leaving no residue behind, and once you rub it in, you can't even feel it on your skin. This award-winning Oncology Spa Solutions-approved sunscreen is consistently top-rated by EWG, SkinSafe, and The Good Face Project. The zinc-oxide mineral base sunscreen is fragrance-free — although it goes on with more of a white cast than some of the others. Plus, it comes in a TSA-friendly 3 oz travel size as well, perfect for weekend getaway beach vacations.

BIO: Amber Gibson is a Chicago-based journalist specializing in travel, food, wine and wellness. Her work appears in Travel + Leisure, Chicago Tribune, The Wall Street Journal, Artful Living and Thrillist.