Save this story Save Story Save this story We get it—you want to protect your skin from damaging UV rays without inciting a full-on breakout. The best noncomedogenic sunscreen formulas allow you to apply daily SPF without having to sacrifice your hard-fought, clear skin. “Noncomedogenic just means that a formula doesn’t have ingredients that will clog pores,” board-certified dermatologist Dara Spearman, MD, tells Vogue . “This is especially important for people with acne-prone skin . Like any beauty product, sunscreen formulas may contain ingredients that cause pore congestion, so be sure to look for labels such as ‘noncomedogenic’ and ‘oil-free.’”
Enter a new wave of lightweight sunscreens that cater to your specific skin-care concerns, formulated with thoughtful ingredients that work harmoniously with even the most sensitive and acne-prone complexions, proving that sun protection and clear skin no longer have to be mutually exclusive. And even though autumn is in full swing, that doesn’t mean you should skip your daily SPF and save it only for bare-faced beach getaways.
Today’s top dermatologists and skin-care aficionados swear by the below SPFs to shield against UVA and UVB damage while keeping pores congestion-free. Scroll on to learn more.
What is a noncomedogenic SPF? How to Pick a Noncomedogenic SPF How to Remove a Noncomedogenic SPF How We Tested Meet the Experts Best Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid Facial Sunscreen Save to wishlist Save to wishlist La Roche-Posay
Chemical or Physical: Mineral (titanium dioxide 11% ) Key Ingredients: Silica, acrylates copolymer, dimethicone, cassia leaf extract, tocopherol SPF Level: SPF 60 Texture: Milky serum Finish: Matte Broad-Spectrum : Yes Size: 1.7 fl. oz. Love It Leave It Lightweight with a semi-matte finish Non-oily skin types may find that the formula isn’t nourishing enough Mineral SPF with particularly high UVA/UVB protection Best for Glowy Skin: Kosas DreamBeam Sunscreen Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Kosas
Chemical or Physical: Mineral Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptides SPF Level: SPF 40 Texture: Lightweight lotion Finish: Radiant Water-Resistant: Yes Broad-Spectrum : Yes Size: 1.3 oz. Love It Leave It Offers a subtle glowy finish Some find that the formula pills a bit when layered under makeup Silicone-free and water-resistant Best Tinted: Ciele Tint & Protect SPF 50+ Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Ciele
Chemical or Physical: Mineral Key Ingredients: Allantoin, bisabolol, niacinamide Shades : 13 SPF Level: SPF 50+ Texture: Serum Finish: Natural Water-Resistant: No Broad-Spectrum : Yes Size: 1.28 oz. Love It Leave It High-level SPF protection Dropper applicator can be a bit messy Natural finish and buildable coverage Best Oil-Free: EltaMD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen Save to wishlist Save to wishlist EltaMD
Chemical or Physical: Chemical Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid SPF Level: SPF 46 Texture: No Finish: Natural Water-Resistant: No Broad-Spectrum : Yes Size: 1.7 oz. Love It Leave It A frequently suggested dermatologist pick Chemical filters can be eye irritating Lightweight and non-greasy Best Mineral: Sofie Pavitt Face Screentime SPF Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Sofie Pavitt Face
Chemical or Physical: Chemical (homosalate, octisalate, avobenzone) Key Ingredients: Ectoin, niacinamide, vitamin E, glycerin SPF Level: SPF 30 Texture: Lotion Finish: Dewy Water-Resistant: No Broad-Spectrum : Yes Size: 1.69 fl. oz. Love It Leave It Completely acne-safe formula with no pore-clogging ingredients Might be a bit too dewy for those with super-oily skin Hydrating formula Best Korean Sunscreen: CosRx Ultra Light Invisible Sunscreen Vogue’s Conçetta Ciarlo uses CosRx’s Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen. Save to wishlist Save to wishlist CosRx
Chemical or Physical: Chemical Key Ingredients: Witch-hazel extract, aloe-leaf water, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide SPF Level: SPF 50 Texture: Gel cream Finish: Natural Water-Resistant: Yes Size: 50 ml. Love It Leave It Has a natural finish that’s neither matte nor shiny Prone to pilling if you apply products too quickly afterward Gentle formula that won’t sting your eyes Those with niacinamide allergies should best avoid Completely noncomedogenic Best for Redness: SkinCeuticals Clear Daily Soothing UV Defense Save to wishlist Save to wishlist SkinCeuticals
Chemical or Physical: Hybrid Key Ingredients: Palmitoyl tripeptide-8, glycerin, bisabolol, hybrid UV filter blend (7% zinc oxide, 8% homosalate, 5% octisalate, 5% octocrylene) SPF Level: SPF 50 Texture: Lightweight lotion Finish: Matte Water-Resistant: No Broad-Spectrum : Yes Size: 1 fl. oz. Love It Leave It High broad-spectrum protection Some find the formula to be a bit emollient Soothing formula Everything You Need to Know What is a noncomedogenic SPF?
Noncomedogenic simply means a product contains no pore-clogging ingredients—this is a key factor for anyone with acne-prone skin, as ingredients that cause pore congestion can incite further breakouts.
However, Spearman explains, the research behind noncomedogenic products isn’t necessarily one size fits all. “Although products may be labeled noncomedogenic, there still could be ingredients that trigger acne in certain individuals. What clogs pores for one person might not affect another,” she says. “More research is required on this topic, so if you’re concerned, always reference the ingredient list to check for pore-clogging ingredients.”
For those less knowledgeable about ingredients, INCIDecoder and Sofie Pavitt offer ingredient checkers that help scan for hidden irritants and pore cloggers.
When picking a noncomedogenic SPF, Spearman suggests always avoiding easy-to-spot ingredients. “Coconut oil, mineral oils, and certain alcohols can all cause breakouts by triggering more oil production. In addition, lanolin, petroleum, and beeswax can be problematic for acne-prone skin,” she explains. While it’s not a hard-and-fast rule, Spearman generally prefers mineral-based sunscreens, since zinc and titanium dioxide are acne-safe—though there are plenty of chemical SPF formulas that also boast noncomedogenic formulas.
A standard cleanser won’t do the trick for removing SPF—whether it’s applied on otherwise bare skin or you wear makeup on top. “I recommend double cleansing to thoroughly remove any SPF from the skin. Start off with an oil-based cleanser or balm to break down SPF, and then follow up with a gentle daily cleanser to thoroughly remove any buildup from the day,” says Spearman. In place of oil cleansers and balms, you can also opt for micellar water for the first step in your double-cleansing routine.
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue ’s vast network of experts, from board-certified doctors to nurse practitioners to aesthetics experts, to gain professional insight into the industry’s standout products—ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate thoughtful edits.
As it relates to acne-safe sunscreens, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: the comedogenicity of ingredients, texture, finish, SPF level, SPF type, and the skin-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Dara Spearman , MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Fort Wayne, Indiana, who specializes in melanoma and skin-cancer care. Y. Claire Chang , MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Union Derm . Discover More Beauty Recommendations From Vogue Shopping The Best Eyebrow Pencils for Older Women Create Natural-Looking Volume and Fullness
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Source: Lifestyle
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