For a product that has so many wonderful qualities — protecting us from sun damage! preventing fine lines and hyperpigmentation! — sunscreen sure does come with a lot of bummer side effects. Bad formulas can be heavy or ashy or get stuck in your eyebrows, but nothing feels quite as insulting as when your SPF breaks you out. You were trying to do something good for your skin, after all.
According to dermatologist Jennifer M. Segal, MD, two things can cause sunscreen-related pimples: Clogged pores from comedogenic ingredients or a sensitivity to chemical UV-blocking agents. In other words, mineral sunscreens can sit on top of your skin and gunk up pores, while chemical ones might irritate vulnerable skin.
Until now. Thanks to some forward-thinking formula innovations, sunscreen’s reputation is starting to change. “Traditionally, mineral blocks have been very thick, but newer micronized formulations of zinc and titanium dioxide are smooth, cosmetically elegant, and very light,” says Dr. Segal.
Ahead, we’ve rounded up 25 tried-and-true mineral and chemical sunscreens to protect your skin without having to deal with flare-ups.
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Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Mineral Milk Sunscreen
This mineral SPF fluid has the slightest tint to help it disappear into all skin tones and has ingredients like chamomile and squalane to soothe and hydrate.
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Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Mineral Milk Sunscreen SPF 30, $, available at Sephora
Zitsticka Megashade Breakout-Proof Face Serum SPF 50
I’m a major fan of Zitsticka’s products (especially its patches and hydrogel sheet masks), and Megashade is right up there in the top three. (It’s so good, even my skin care-hating partner routinely steals it.) It hydrates without leaving you looking like an oil slick and offers an impressive SPF 50 factor.
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ZitSticka Megashade Breakout-proof SPF 50 Serum, $, available at Ulta
Innisfree Daily UV Defense Invisible Broad Spectrum SPF 36 Sunscreen
This sunscreen from K-beauty brand Innisfree has all the great stuff we love in any skin-care product — healthy ingredients, non-clogging formulas, gorgeous textures — at an under-$20 price. Sold!
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Innisfree Daily UV Defense Invisible Broad Spectrum SPF 36 Sunscr, $, available at Sephora
Neogen Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen
When they say “airy,” they mean it. This K-beauty formula is so silky and light, you’ll genuinely look forward to applying it every day.
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Neogen Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen, $, available at Soko Glam
EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
A favorite of derms for patients with blemish-prone complexions, this beloved SPF shields UV rays without irritating or aggravating delicate skin.
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EltaMD EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, $, available at DermStore
Tula Mineral Magic Sunscreen
A common gripe with mineral sunscreens is that they tend to look ashy on dark skin. One option I personally swear by is Tula’s Mineral Magic formula, which has a beige tint that doesn’t leave a dull cast on tan, dark, or deep skin.
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Tula Mineral Sunscreen Fluid Broad Spectrum SPF 30, $, available at Tula
Renée Rouleau Weightless Protection SPF 30
Celebrity aesthetician Renée Rouleau is among the most highly sought-after experts for achieving radiant, clear skin, and she’s distilled her decades of know-how into a range of products, including the lightweight, non-comedogenic formula seen here.
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Renée Rouleau Weightless Protection SPF 30, $, available at Renée Rouleau
Dermalogica Clear Start Clearing Defense Moisturizer SPF 30
Think of Clear Start as the Skipper to Dermalogica’s Barbie. Featuring innovative formulas focused on acne-prone complexions, the brand is a perfect place to look for all your skin solutions under one roof. Unsurprisingly, the brand’s Clearing Defense SPF 30 addresses everything from midday shine to pollution, in addition to the whole protecting-your-face-from-UV-rays thing.
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Dermalogica Clear Start Clearing Defense Moisturizer SPF 30, $, available at Ulta
EleVen By Venus Williams Unrivaled Sun Serum SPF 40
This hydrating sunscreen serum is made to hold its own against sweat and oil (it bears the name of tennis legend Venus Williams, after all) so you can apply with confidence.
Eleven by Venus Williams Unrivaled Sun Serum SPF 40, $, available at Credo Beauty
Pipette Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50
If it’s gentle enough for bébé, it’s gentle enough for even the most breakout-prone complexions.
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Pipette Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50, $, available at Ulta
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light SPF 60 Sunscreen
This sunscreen has a cult following for a very good reason. It is fast-absorbing, finishes like a matte dream, and feels essentially non-existent as soon as it sinks in.
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La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF 60, $, available at La Roche-Posay
Habit N°38 Facial Sunscreen Mist with SPF 38
For midday refreshes, a mist formula is ideal for quick, hands-free reapplication. Our affiliate director swears by Habit’s stuff, which “smells amazing” and offers a veil of SPF protection while refreshing and setting your makeup.
Shop Habit
Habit N°38 Facial Sunscreen Mist with SPF 38, $, available at Sephora
Glossier Invisible Shield Priming SPF 50
Glossier’s Invsible Shield sunscreen is now available in a higher SPF 50 version. It does exactly what it says on the tin and sinks in fast without leaving behind a greasy, chalky residue. It’s also non-comedogenic (less likely to clog your pores).
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Glossier Invisible Shield Priming SPF 50, $, available at Sephora
Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF 50
This pricey pick is worth its weight in gold if dropping extra dough for a high-performance hybrid SPF is a priority for you. Infused with ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, it’s perfect for acneic complexions that need a little T.L.C.
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Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50, $, available at Tatcha
SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50
Dry, combination, oily, acne-prone — this liquid sunscreen is a heavy-hitter for every skin type, tone, and texture. With a formidable SPF 50 for maximum protection, the formula leaves behind a natural-looking glow that’s neither dewy nor totally matte — and never, ever greasy.
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SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen, $, available at DermStore
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen
This sunscreen with SPF 40 not only goes on completely invisible on all skin tones, but it also helps control shine and prime the skin for a velvety-smooth makeup application.
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Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen Invisible Broad Spectrum SPF 40 PA +++, $, available at Sephora
Paula’s Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50
The satiny finish of this sunscreen (and added skin-care benefits) make this formula ideal for anyone looking for an overachieving sunscreen that won’t feel heavy on skin.
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Paula’s Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50, $, available at DermStore
Glossier Invisible Shield
Pinky promise, Glossier’s clear water-gel formula is one that you’ll actually look forward to using. Between the unique, serum-like texture and no-cast finish, it checks all of the boxes.
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Glossier Invisible Shield Water-Gel Transparent Face Sunscreen, $, available at Sephora
CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
On the hunt for a new day cream? You can’t go wrong with this formula. It’s sheer, has SPF 30, and plays well under makeup.
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CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 30, $, available at Ulta
Dr. Brandt Liquid Sun Shield Daily Brightening Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
This ultra-lightweight (albeit pricey) sunscreen is ideal for breakout-prone complexions that don’t agree with heavy formulas.
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Dr. Brandt Daily Brightening Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 50, $, available at Sephora
Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
Both oil-free and non-comedogenic (which means it won’t clog your pores), this sunscreen was specifically formulated for acne-prone skin — finally! Plus, it leaves a soft matte finish, making it suitable for wearing alone or under makeup.
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Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen with SPF 50, $, available at Walmart
Bliss Block Star Invisible Daily Sunscreen
Even the most avid sunscreen-hater can find something to love about this SPF 30 formula. The all-mineral coverage blends into skin so completely that you’d forget it’s even there, if not for the complexion-perfecting universal tint.
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Bliss Block Star Mineral Daily Sunscreen, $, available at Walmart
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
This zinc-based sunscreen is the only one our beauty writer wore all summer (and into fall!). It’s fast-absorbing and non-greasy, yet hydrating enough to use without a separate moisturizer.
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Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30, $, available at Sephora
Avène Solaire UV Mineral Multi-Defense Sunscreen SPF 50+
This French-girl fave is a staple in Parisian pharmacies, and for good reason: It’s a mild formula that won’t irritate sensitive skin, comes in both sheer and tinted options, and has a subtle mattifying effect.
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Avène Solaire UV Mineral Multi-Defense Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50, $, available at Ulta
Clinique Pep Start Daily UV Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 50
A sunscreen that doesn’t irritate sensitive skin or clog pores? That’s a winner in our books. Add a subtle tint, and it’s the only thing you need on rushed mornings.
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Clinique Pep Start Daily UV Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 50, $, available at Ulta
It Cosmetics CC+ Cream with SPF 50+ Matte
With a name like Your Skin But Better, it’s hard to resist snatching up this tube. Based on the rave reviews on every corner of the internet, you’ll be glad you did. The full-coverage CC covers pigmentation (like acne scars, the bane of any breakout-prone person’s existence) and protects your face from UVA and UVB rays. We love a good quick fix that also has long-term benefits — especially when it means we don’t have to sacrifice a clear complexion in order to get it.
Shop It Cosmetics
It Cosmetics CC Cream Full Coverage Foundation with SPF 50+, $, available at It Cosmetics
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