If you have a skin condition like eczema, you know it can be a struggle to find necessary everyday skincare products like sunscreen. Many contain ingredients that aren’t exactly friendly to sensitive skin and they may even make eczema worse if you’re not careful. Ugh. Don’t worry, though. Armed with the right knowledge, you candefinitely find an SPF that works for you and not against you. I asked a dermatologist to clue us in on the best sunscreens for eczema. Below, you’ll find what to look for, what to avoid, and the best SPFs to shop if you do have it. Keep scrolling!
First, there are a few things you’ll want to avoid if you have eczema, sensitive skin, or are prone to reactions. You’ll want to treat your eczema-prone skin as extremely sensitive. Rebecca Marcus MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Maei MD, says “For those with eczema, choosing a sunscreen that will not irritate already sensitive skin is key. Look for fragrance-free formulas, and when possible, choose mineral-based actives (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) over chemical sunscreens. Hydrating, skin barrier boosting ingredients such as ceramides added to a formula are a plus and will help to repair compromised skin.”
Other ingredients known to trigger sensitive skin are things like alcohol. As Marcus mentioned above, it’s also best to avoid sunscreens with chemical filters like avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, octisalate, and octinoxate as they can be irritating. These types of chemical filters have been linked to triggering allergic contact dermatitis so it’s best to avoid them if you can.
Soothing ingredients like niacinamide and bisabolol are also helpful in calming redness so you’ll want to look for those as well. Marcus also provided a few tips for applying SPF with eczema. “When applying sunscreen to skin that is eczema-prone or actively flaring with eczema, it may be helpful to first apply a layer of skin-barrier-boosting, eczema-friendly cream such as Curel Itch Defense Lotion before applying sunscreen. Ceramides and glycerin will serve to hydrate skin, while petrolatum will form a protective barrier over the skin to help keep irritants out. If you choose this method, make sure to use a mineral based sunscreen, as the active ingredients in physical blockers are meant to sit on top of the skin and physically block UV rays. (Chemical sunscreens, on the other hands, are meant to be absorbed and therefore could be less effective when applied over an occlusive layer).”
Below, you’ll find the best sunscreen recs for eczema. Keep scrolling and find the one for you.
Pros: Contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide filters, ceramides strengthen the skin barrier, oil- and fragrance-free. Cons: Tends to leave a whitecast. This hydrating SPF from CeraVe is great for those with eczema because it contains moisture-barrier strengthening ingredients like ceramides to help build resilience against environmental factors that cause flare ups. It’s also free of potential triggers like chemicals and fragrance. Customer Review: “Leaves a white cast, but still a great product.”
Pros: Designed for sensitive and reaction skin types, SPF 50 sun protection, free of common irritants and chemical filters. Cons: Leaves a bit of whitecast for a few minutes upon application. Vanicream products are designed for those with extremely sensitive skin so you can count on the brand’s SPF to provide protection to those with skin conditioners like eczema. It’s dye-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free, gluten-free, and noncomedogenic. Customer Review: “This is my experience has someone with lupus. I’ve been wearing this sunscreen for over a month. When you first put it on it has a white cast but, when you massage it into your face and it sinks into the skin, within a couple of minutes, it feels great, and it gave me a glowiness that I didn’t have before. I love the texture and thickness of it and the way it feels soft and comforting on my skin. I will definitely continue to use this and recommend it.”
Pros: 100% mineral sunscreen, fragrance-free, provides SPF 50 sun protection, hypoallergenic. Cons: Texture of the product is thick. Sun Bum is known for its incredible variety of drugstore-priced sunscreens, but this one is especially great for those with eczema as it’s designed to be gentle enough for babies and is free of reaction-triggering ingredients. Customer Review: “My oldest son has sensitive skin, and my youngest son has eczema and this sunscreen works very well for them, not irritating at all to their skin. Highly recommend!”
Pros: Provides SPF 50 sun protection to sensitive skin, water resistant up to 40 minutes, 100% mineral filters, contains soothing ingredients like bisabolol, allantoin, and niacinamide to calm skin. Cons: Tends to leave a whitecast on darker skin tones. Avène’s SPF works well for sensitive, eczema-prone skin as it contains only mineral UVA and UVB filter and calming ingredients like bisabolol, allantoin, and niacinamide. it also contains a multi-defense shield to boost antioxidant protection up to 200%. Customer Review: “(Normal/combination sensitive skin that is prone to clogging and I bought the untinted version). I did a lot of research and tried a lot of SPFs and I think this is one of the best available in the US. It’s a thin, hydrating texture that is dewy without being overly greasy and the ingredients are safe for acne-prone or sensitive skin. Amazing for everyday use!”
Pros: Provides all-mineral sun protection, contains innovative DNA “repairsomes” which repair existing sun damage, lightweight and great for everyday use. Cons: Expensive. ISDIN’s SPF is unique because it contains innovative enzymes in the formula that repair existing sun damage while protecting against future damage. It also contains only mineral filters and bisabolol to soothe any redness or irritation. Customer Review: “I very much like the feel of this mineral sunscreen. It’s a bit runny but in a good way. Not sticky either—almost dry as it sinks in. The high SPF with 40 minutes of water resistance is also a plus. I use almost daily.”
Pros: Mineral-only filters, gentle on sensitive and reactive skin, California poppy in the formula soothes skin. Cons: Only provides SPF 30 sun protection. Beautycounter’s sunscreen is gentle on sensitive and reactive skin. It’s formulated with non-nano zinc oxide filters and California poppy to soothe skin without leaving a residue. Customer Review: “Best sunscreen hands down! Love that I know all ingredients are safe for my family in this sunscreen, don’t have to worry about what we are putting on our skin! It is also the best mineral sunscreen I have tried in terms of application—easy to rub in, soaks in well, and doesn’t leave you feeling super greasy!”
Pros: Packed with vitamin C and natural antioxidants, mineral-only filters. Cons: Expensive, leaves a bit of a chalky residue. This mineral crème from MD Solar Sciences makes a great primer for makeup, contains mineral-only filters, and provides a matte finish. It’s also free of alcohol and fragrance—two ingredients those with eczema might want to avoid. Customer Review: I initially didn’t think I would like this since it does have a silicone primer texture. The first time I put it on, it felt strange, but after a few times of use I got used to it. I usually find all mineral sunscreens very drying on my already dry skin, so I don’t love them, but this one is actually moisturizing. I didn’t feel like it dried out my skin. There is definitely a small cast, but I feel like it is better than most. I have very fair skin so I can’t tell on me that well, but I could tell that it wasn’t completely transparent. Overall, my favorite sunscreens are combination ones or Korean ones, but this one was very pleasant to use and my skin didn’t feel dry after application, which is a huge plus for me. I will definitely repurchase if I want to use a full mineral sunscreen.”
Pros: Designed for sensitive skin, SPF 50 sun protection, chemical filter-free. Cons: Contains a few ingredients known to be comedogenic—may not be suitable for acne-prone skin. Blue Lizard’s budget-friendly option is Marcus’s pick for those with eczema. It provides SPF 50 protection, is free of chemical filters, and hydrates the skin. Customer Review: “This sunscreen works wonders for me! I am extremely prone to sweating very easily, and have tried dozens of sunscreens over the years. This is the first one I can apply and actually have it stick and not run off in the first few minutes. No other sunscreen I have tried has been able to stay put like this has. If you are prone to sweating easy or a lot, and other sunscreens fail you, try this!”
Pros: Oil-free, designed for sensitive skin, contains 12 biocompatible actives that build collagen and protect against free radicals, supports the skin’s moisture-barrier with CoQ10 and niacinamide. Cons: Expensive. Solara Suncare’s sunscreen milk is packed with skincare ingredients great for sensitive, ractive, or eczema-prone skin. It contains only mineral filters along with barrier-supporting niacinamide and CoQ10 and collagen-building proteins. Customer Review: “I wear Guardian Angel on my face, neck, and chest every day. It is so light and smooth that it goes on easily. I’m on my second bottle and will continue using it every day.”
