It is known that sunscreens are important for the health of your skin in summer and it is believed that the higher the SPF rating, the better. However, not much is shared about how some products may cause breakouts if they are unable to cater to your skin type.
Is it possible to find sunscreens that do not cause breakouts? Experts share useful guidelines when shopping for the most suitable SPF for your skin.
Rachel Lee Lozina, a licensed esthetician and owner of Blue Water Spa says that it can be difficult to choose an SPF that works for you when your pores get clogged and you break out. However, you should take extra precautions against the sun if you have acne because sunburns can worsen your already troubled skin.
Here are recommendations for sunscreens for acne-prone skin from experts:
“When you buy sunscreen, look for ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, physical (mineral) agents that sit on the skin’s surface and deflect harmful UV rays. These are less likely to cause irritation or trigger acne breakouts than chemical sunscreen ingredients,” suggests Suneel Chilukuri, director of cosmetic surgery at Refresh Dermatology.
Kristin Gunn, a celebrity esthetician believes in EltaMD’s Clear SPF46 for acne-prone skin. It contains high-purity niacinamide (vitamin B3) that helps reduce the appearance of blemishes and discolouration and protects your skin from UVA and UVB rays using micronised oxide.
Blair Murphy-Rose, a board-certified cosmetic and medical dermatologist agrees with the above esthetician as she recommends the product to her patients with acne-prone or oily skin for sun protection that won’t promote breakouts.
“If you have oily skin, you’ll want to steer clear of sunscreens with heavy oils and emollients like coconut oil, mineral oil, and petrolatum. Also, avoid formulations with alcohol that can trigger excess oil production or irritation. Look out for “comedogenic” ingredients, which can clog pores and lead to breakouts,” claims Vanessa Lee, Celebrity Medical Aesthetic Provider and founder of The Things We Do.
