Best Sunscreens for Acne Prone Skin and Comedones 

Finding a sunscreen is a crucial step in skincare especially for those who are suffering from clogged pores or have acne-prone skin. For them the sun is not just shining but an enemy increasing their breakouts with harmful UV rays and wrong spf worsens the problem. 

In this article I’ll help you to find best sunscreens for acne prone skin and comedones that will not only protect from UV damage but will also safeguard you from breakout triggering or clogged pores. 

As I have also suffered from comedonal acne which runs in my family so I can understand your worry. Changing sunscreen daily can really be a problem for comedones and acne-prone so here I have listed some tested sunscreens. 

How to Pick a Non Comedogenic Sunscreen

Looking for non comedogenic sunscreen or non pore clogging sunscreen is actually a very difficult job because there are no such products with 100% non comedogenic sunscreen or no pore clogging ingredient sunblocks.  

Mostly we search for such products online and there are plenty of websites misleading for pure non comedogenic sunscreens, but actually it’s not true. I am not telling you to stop visiting such websites, these websites can help you with light guides for your skin type and best suiting sunscreens.

As a matter of fact, even if you use clogging ingredients free sunscreens you can still easily get breakouts. That’s why I always choose low risk sunblocks with a combination of less clogging ingredients and concerning reviews from people with the same skin types. 

Best Mineral Sunscreen for Acne Prone Skin

Does mineral sunscreen clog pores? The most frequently asked question. 

Mineral sunscreens does not mean that it will always contain the same ingredients, but yes most of them are formulated with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, giving them their common white cast. 

To help you find mineral sunscreens for acne prone skin and comedones, here are my favourite ones. 

Best Mineral Sunscreen for Sensitive Acne Skin

When I am asked for choosing a mineral sunscreen to treat acne prone but also suiting sensitive skin, here is my choice by Ultra Violette. My journey with Ultra Violette Clean Screen SPF30 started in 2003 when I got peri oral dermatitis. 

This was a good sunscreen that not only protected me from comedones but also avoided triggering dermatitis around my mouth. For this reason, it is a good sunscreen for sensitive skin and perioral dermatitis. 

The thing which irritated me, being honestly I really didn’t like this mineral sunscreen is that it gives a matte finish look during the day. It was glowy at first or when freshly applied it gave a little radiant look but then it was dry. 

The other thing is, it has a little tinted texture which can be a plus point for people with pale tone but if you have darker or medium skin tone that I will advise you not to use it. 

At first everything was alright but later I noticed small comedones on my forehead which I immediately treated with my tretinoin skin routine, but it was really a breakout for me. So I used a different sunscreen for my forehead which was a beneficial strategy. 

Some information on this sunscreen

• Works good for under makeup but with matte finish rather than glowy
• A good non pore clogging sunscreen with tinted experience
• Good sun protection with no tanning or burning to skin
• Does not upset breakouts for me
• With the minimal ingredient list, it most probably does not cause irritation to sensitive skin
• Does not give awful look but slightly pills around face corners
• Not a nice option for reapplying
• Although not as ideal as SPF50 but a very good sunscreen for sensitive skin with SPF30 range

I always have this sunscreen as my safe side sunscreen and use it when my skin is unhappy or not comfortable with strong formulation. My aunt with rosacea loves using it for not causing any irritation to her skin. 

This sunscreen also contains butyloctyl salicylate, a common ingredient in mineral sunscreens working as SPF enhancer. An unregistered chemical filter used in facial sunscreens claiming to be 100% mineral based. 

Best Mineral Korean Sunscreen

I think in all my posts about Korean skincare, Haruharu was a must include brand in the best Korean skincare for acne prone skin. 

Here is another one; Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Mineral Relief Daily Sunscreen.

I came to know this brand when I was working on Korean moisturizers for acne prone skin, they have a wide range of products with essential oils and fragrances and fragrances free range as well. 

The good thing about this product is that it more likely feels like a moisturizer rather than being sticky and awful. It has a very consistent and light texture mineral formulation. I alway rate it in best sunscreens for acne prone skin and comedones.

Haruharu has defined this product with a velvet finish, which I kinda agree with. It is not gel cream but has a traditional cream moisture texture which absorbs into the skin. It is not a lightweight product but also is non-greasy sunscreen making it more loveable. 

I like Korean beauty products for not being too unpleasant to use. They are way more effective for preventing sun damage as compared to western beauty products. Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Mineral Relief Daily Sunscreen is formulated with heart leaf extract, rice bran oil and nicotinamide helping in lightening pimple scars and managing acne.

For these key ingredients I am in love with this korean sunscreen for acne prone skin and comedones.

Some important information for this korean beauty sunscreen

• Free of fragrances and essential oils
• Gives a very balanced appearance, not too much glow nor nor the matte
• Does not irritate eyes
• Provide moisture like texture but nit as an SPF
• Shows a little white cast on darker skin but very transparent and glowy for pale or fair skin types.
• SPF 50+ PA++++

Generally, it has mineral filters and is a very good Korean sunscreen for acne prone with benefits for clog pores.

Best Facial Sunscreens with Chemical Filters

I think chemical sunscreens are much easier to use as they do not cause white casts and very suitable chemical spf for darker or medium deep skin tones as compared to mineral ones. 

They are also more ideal as they do not sediment in the fine lines as mineral formulas do, and are a very good sunscreen base for under makeup. 

I have made a list of them as following categories to help you look for a non comedogenic spf. 

Best Korean Sunscreen for Oily Skin

In the skincare world, I think oily acne prone skin is the most increasing issue day by day. So, if you are looking for some chemical sunscreen for oily acne prone skin, I would recommend you to use Skin1004 Hyalu-cica Water Fit Sun Serum. The popularity of this sunscreen has a very valid reason. It has a very lovely formula, as it prevents breakout-prones. A non-greasy facial sunscreen that has a pale cream texture penetrating quickly into the skin. As it is named, it is a hydrating sun serum with hyaluronic acid, glycerin and nicotinamide to keep the skin moisturized, hydrated and brightened.

Some detail on this K beauty sunscreen

• SPF 50+ PA++++
• No white observed 
• Absorbs a little speedy being not for my taste
• Hydrating
• A non glowy finish making it great for combo or oily skin tones
• Good sunscreen base for under makeup
• Fragrance and essential oil free
• Not stingy to my eyes which is very great

A very good Korean sunscreen to be used, as it doesn’t clog pores.

Best All Round Acne Friendly Sunscreen

Although here I will be discussing good sunscreens for acne prone skin and comedones, there is no such thing like acne friendly sunscreen, a cream that can fairly combat acne.  But I can say that this can be something that will not cause those irritating and annoying skin colored blemishes. 

We all have different skin textures, lifestyle, hormones, makeup and skincare products, means everyone has different chemistry with products they use and have different results to breakouts so it is almost impossible to term something as 100% acne friendly sunscreen. 

So, keeping all these things in mind, I would suggest Purito Soft Touch sunscreen, a great candidate for breakouts and clog pores. 

Purito changed its packaging in 2024 with the same ingredients in the products with no clear details on their website, which was kinda weird for me so I am now in contact with them for clarification. 

Many people have different opinions for this sunscreen but for me it is a bit dewy at first but then becomes matte as time passes. 

Some information on the Purito Soft Touch sunscreen:

• No white cast noticed
• Not stingy to my eyes
• A good under makeup base
• Doesn’t pill in my experience
• Good sunscreen to use with retinoids
• Gives moisture at first but dries out in couple of hours

I have used it for around 2 months and loved it but then i observed some random redness spot, making me doubt about this product but I am not sure. This might be because I have a very sensitive skin even for Korean beauty filters.

Best Cheap Sunscreen for Acne Prone Skin

I think The Superdrug B. Protect Defence Sun Cream is a product that should be viral without any biases. It is so underrated, even though it has very good value with almost zero white cast. For me it is the only facial sunscreen with no white cast in this list. 

This Defence Sun Cream has a translucent gel texture, making it very easy to spread over the skin without any pilling. The only pitfall for it, is being a little bit sticky, but not with classic sticky sunscreen appearance. 

It stings my eyes a  little with time. 

Some other informational notes on this sunscreen:

• Gives a dewy glow appearance
• Good for under makeup use
• I think it is not suitable for oily skins, but perfect for dry ones.
• One bottle can be used for longer because of its larger size.

Best Chemical Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin

SOS Serum SPF50 Sun Cream is one of those creams that got intense praise in comments. People got obsessed with this product. 

It is a very underrated brand on social media, not many influencers review it. Their whole range is very good with few ingredients and simple formulation. 

It has a more moisture-like texture, not being dewy or matte and very comfortable to use. It does not get oily all over the day but sometimes it does pill may be because of silicones. 

The silicones are easy to go for most people but it causes breakouts on my cheeks. This product is very suitable for those with sensitive skin such as rosacea. 

Some notes on this sunscreen

• Suits as under makeup for silicone based products
• When using this you might not need a moisturizer
• A great option for perioral dermatitis
• Mineral based product, contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide with a number of chemical filters. 

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Above are reviews by people who used it and loved it.

Best Glowy Sunscreen for Acne Prone Skin

Sun Bum Face SPF50 is the best glowy sunscreen for acne prone skin and comedones. 

People who like shiny looks would love it, but it is not a good option for oily skin. 

It has a kinda classic western sunscreen formula ready to wear at the beach with a high quality broad spectrum protection.

Some notes on this sunscreen:

• Sting eyes, I don’t use it around my eyes, for that i have mineral sunscreen.
• Work well as under makeup depending on your style. 

Best Sunscreen for Perioral Dermatitis

I know how difficult it is to deal with perioral dermatitis. 

Out of all the above sunscreens for acne prone skin and comedones, if you are looking for best face sunscreen for perioral dermatitis,I would suggest the SOS Serum SPF and UltraViolette to treat your perioral dermatitis. 

This is because these are fragrance and essential oil free SPF with mineral bases containing either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide base.

What is the Best SPF for Closed Comedones?

After all your struggle, if you are still looking for the best non-comedogenic sunscreen, then it is better to accept the truth. There are no such guaranteed sunscreens that do not clog pores. 

Some products have zero pore clogging ingredients, but when mixed with other factors they still clog. 

Even if you are looking for the best oil free sunscreens, unfortunately there is no product for being 100% oil free. 

If you are new to sunscreen then start from low risk options. That doesn’t mean it is purely non-comedogenic. So, if someone says it is the best non-comedogenic sunscreens then do not go for it, because that person does not even know the flaw in non-comedogenic sunscreen. 

Conclusion

Choosing a right suitable sunscreen is crucial for fighting acne-prone without damaging skin barriers with increased breakouts or clogged pores. Lightweight, oil free and no comedogenic formulas with broad spectrum protection are best choices. Mineral sunscreens are less stingy while chemical filter sunscreen can cause irritation specially on oily skin type. So, when looking for the best sunscreens for acne prone skin and comedones, you should keep these points clear in your mind.