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An important note on sunscreen safety: The FDA is proposing changes to sunscreen regulations, as some active ingredients can enter the bloodstream. Until it can reach a more robust conclusion on safety, the FDA — and the Good Housekeeping Beauty Lab — urges Americans to continue using mineral and chemical sunscreen to protect against UV damage.
Sensitive skin means something different to everyone. Whether you're faced with eczema, acne, rosacea, dryness, or just plain old irritation, anyone with sensitive skin wants to make sure they're using products that won't inflame skin. People "with sensitive skin are often more sensitive to UV light, so it's extremely important to wear a daily sunscreen to avoid sunburn and rashes," says Anne Chapas, M.D., a dermatologist and director at Union Square Laser Dermatology and instructor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, our Beauty Lab regularly tests and evaluates all types of sunscreens on the market — including lotions, creams, sprays, and formulas for face and body, for kids and more. In order to find out which ones are the best, our experts evaluate these sunscreens in our Lab while real consumer testers (over 1,300 people!) test them in the sun for at least one week. We select testers based on their preferences, and our consumer panel then rates the sunscreens across various criteria, including sun protection efficacy, irritation, scent, absorption, look and feel on skin, and overall satisfaction.
Pro tip: Dermatologists and Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab experts generally recommend mineral and pure zinc-oxide sunscreens for sensitive skin, since they can soothe irritated skin, though many chemical sunscreens have also performed well for not causing irritation in GH Beauty Lab testing.
Based on the GH Beauty Lab's extensive testing and dermatologist recommendations, these are the best sunscreens for sensitive skin, whether you're looking for a spray, chemical-free natural formula, no white cast, and more.
Pros
- SPF 50
- Chemical lotion
- Water resistance: 80 minutes
- Not drying or irritating
Cons
This sunscreen lotion from Hawaiian Tropic earned the overall highest score in the GH Beauty Lab's test of body sunscreens, including perfect scores for not making skin feel dry or irritated. It gets better: Our testers loved this sunscreen's beachy scent (a combination of jasmine and coconut). They also said it absorbed well into their skin without leaving white residue, and that it didn't feel greasy or tacky.
2
Best Overall Face Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin
Vichy LiftActiv Sunscreen Peptide-C Face Moisturizer with SPF 30
Pros
- SPF 30
- Chemical lotion
- Not irritating
Cons
- Not water resistant
A top performer in GH Beauty Lab face sunscreen testing, Vichy's formula ranked at the top for being gentle and making skin feel hydrated. 100% of testers strongly agreed it didn't cause redness, irritation, stinging, or burning. The lotion also scored highest for not being tacky and not leaving a white cast or residue on skin. One tester called it "a perfect product".
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Pros
- SPF 50
- Chemical cream
- Water resistance: 80 minutes
- Gentle, skin-softening formula
Cons
Coola’s SPF cream, made from 70% organic ingredients, including soothing aloe and botanical oils, proved mild enough for even reactive skin and effectively protected against sunburn in GH Beauty Lab testing. The formula earned a perfect score for gentleness, with 100% of testers saying it didn’t sting or irritate. Two called it “the perfect sunscreen” and praised its “hydrating” feel. “Disappears like a light body lotion,” one said. “It didn’t irritate sensitive skin,” another reported.
4
Best Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin to Wear Under Makeup
MDSolarSciences Mineral Crème SPF 50 Face Sunscreen
Pros
- SPF 50
- Mineral zinc oxide and titanium dioxide cream
- Water resistance: 80 minutes
Cons
This GH Beauty Lab test-winning mineral zinc oxide- and titanium dioxide-based face sunscreen from MDSolarSciences won't cause irritation to your skin and has some of the benefits of a makeup primer. Testers appreciated its delicate scent, fast absorption, and matte finish. "It felt like a base coat primer that reduced the appearance of your pores," one tester wrote. Others noted its silky feel and how it didn't leave any white residue behind.
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Pros
- SPF 50
- Mineral zinc oxide lotion
- Water resistance: 80 minutes
- Doesn't irritate skin
Cons
- May leave a sticky film on skin
A bargain mineral sunscreen that can be used on both body and face, Coppertone’s fragrance-free zinc oxide lotion was among the most gentle in GH Beauty Lab testing. 94% of consumer testers reported that it didn’t sting or irritate skin. Unlike other mineral sunscreens, users found it easy to apply and moisturizing; it also rinsed off well and didn’t stain clothing. The formula tallied near-perfect marks for effectively protecting skin from the sun. A caveat: Some said it left a tacky white coating that had to be rubbed in.
Pros
- SPF 30
- Mineral titanium dioxide and zinc oxide liquid lotion
- Water resistance: 40 minutes
- Not irritating
Cons
A top mineral sunscreen in GH Beauty Lab testing, the Bare Republic face SPF aced GH Beauty Lab tests for not inflaming skin. The milky formula scored perfectly for being gentle and nonirritating. Testers raved that the “satiny” liquid went on like a “light,” “dry oil" with “no stinging or bumps.” (Note that the tube has to be shaken before application so the formula won’t separate when dispensed.)
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7
Best Mineral Body Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin
Australian Gold Botanical SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion
Now 30% Off
Pros
- SPF 50
- Mineral zinc oxide and titanium dioxide cream
- Water resistance: 80 minutes
- Non-greasy
Cons
- May leave a white film on skin
In search of a natural sunscreen for sensitive skin? Australian Gold, which uses mineral zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as its active ingredients, was a GH Beauty Lab test winner thanks to its non-oily finish and strong UV protection. Testers said it didn't feel greasy on their skin, and it's gentle enough that it won't feel irritating (some even used it on their babies' skin!). The formula also rated highly for its pleasant scent. "It absorbed easily and did not leave my hands greasy, which is important when I’m playing tennis," one tester said. One caveat: It may leave a white residue on skin.
Pros
- SPF 50
- Chemical spray
- Water resistance: 80 minutes
- Easy application
Banana Boat's easy-applying aerosol spray sunscreen earned top scores all around in GH Beauty Lab testing. Our testers raved about how lightweight it felt and how it immediately soaked into their skin. The formula earned high scores on average for not stinging or irritating skin, though one person said they felt a burning sensation on freshly-shaven skin. It has a mild fruity scent (that most testers liked!) but some found it too sweet.
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9
Best Dermatologist-Recommended Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin
MDSolarSciences Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50 Sunscreen
Pros
- SPF 50
- Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide cream
- Water resistance: 80 minutes
Cons
From the dermatologist-recommended brand MDSolarSciences, this SPF cream earned a perfect score in GH Beauty Lab testing for not causing any stinging or irritation. Even though it's a fragrance-free formula, it still has a pleasant scent. Testers loved its creamy texture, with one person saying that "it made my skin feel soft without being oily." It's a mineral sunscreen, so there's a chance that it may leave white residue on your skin — shake the tube before applying to avoid separation!
Pros
- SPF 35
- Mineral zinc oxide and chemical cream
- Water resistance: 80 minutes
Cons
Dr. Chapas recommends Vanicream lotions for people with eczema, so this fragrance-free mineral sunscreen from the brand is a great option for sun protection without irritating sensitive, eczema-prone skin. "My child gets bad eczema from sunscreen in the summer," a LovelySkin reviewer says. "We’ve tried a bunch of different ones, and this is the only one that doesn’t make him break out. I buy it in bulk!" It's especially important for anyone with eczema to use sunscreen, because "getting a sunburn will worsen skin inflammation and can cause eczema to flare," Dr. Sherber explains
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11
Best Face Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin with No White Cast
Aveeno Protect + Hydrate SPF 50 Face Sunscreen
Pros
- SPF 50
- Chemical lotion
- Water resistance: 80 minutes
- No residue
Cons
Aveeno's creamy sunscreen will protect the skin on your face without any irritation. One tester said it "gave a slight glow to my skin but didn't appear oily." This one earned a perfect score for not leaving any white residue behind. Our study also found it won't interfere with your makeup application (yes, you should be wearing sunscreen on a daily basis, even under your makeup). Plus, most testers were pleased with its light, tropical scent.
12
Best Chemical-Free Face Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin
Sun Bum Mineral SPF 30 Non-Tinted Sunscreen Face Lotion
Now 20% Off
Pros
- SPF 30
- Mineral titanium dioxide and zinc oxide lotion
- Water resistance: 40 minutes
Cons
- May leave a white cast on skin
Free of chemical sunscreen active ingredients, this mineral zinc oxide and titanium dioxide-based Sun Bum lotion made with naturally-derived active ingredients also contains no artificial fragrances. It earned a near-perfect score for not causing skin redness or irritation. "This product feels silky on my skin and looks so natural," a tester noted.
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Pros
- SPF 46
- Mineral zinc oxide lotion
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Not water-resistant
- Pricey
Although this sunscreen wasn't a part of our formal test, it's still a popular pick found in tons of dermatologists' offices. Plus, it's the best-selling facial sunscreen on Amazon! This smooth, lightweight formula is often recommended for acne-prone skin and it doesn't contain any fragrance, which is a common skin irritant. EltaMD is even the sunscreen of choice for a few experts and editors on the Good Housekeeping team.
Pros
- SPF 50
- Chemical lotion
- Water resistance: 80 minutes
- Great scent
Cons
- May not absorb fast
A new cult classic, Sun Bum's SPF lotion received a perfect score in GH Beauty Lab testing for not stinging or irritating skin, despite its tropical scent. The sunscreen also scored high for its fragrance, a light aroma that'll remind you of bananas and the beach. Just note that some testers found it didn't absorb into their skin as well as some of the other sunscreens.
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Pros
- SPF 50
- Chemical lotion
- Water resistance: 80 minutes
- Fast-absorbing
Cons
At just $7 for an 8-ounce bottle, this GH Beauty Lab test-winning Banana Boat sunscreen is super affordable and can be used on both face and body. 100% of testers who applied it to their face said they didn't experience irritation around their eyes. It absorbs quickly and it won't leave behind white residue on your skin or rub off on clothing, either. Testers also loved its creamy formula, so it ranked the highest for texture. Plus, the bottle itself makes it easy to apply. "The way the bottle is shaped allowed for wet hands to hold it without it slipping," wrote one tester.
Amina Lake Abdelrahman
Amina is a product review writer and editor who worked as an editorial assistant in the Good Housekeeping Institute from 2018 to 2020, writing original content based on GH Lab experts' product testing and analysis. Amina graduated from Montclair State University with a B.A. in communication studies and journalism.
Sabina Wizemann
Beauty Lab Director
Sabina (she/her) is the director of the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has overseen skincare, haircare and makeup testing since 2012. She also reviews applications, substantiates claims and evaluates products for the GH Seal and the Beauty Awards and Sustainability Awards programs. She has a B.S. in chemistry from Ithaca College and more than 16 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical and personal care industries.