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Sunscreen is an essential year-round for protecting your skin. As the face is more delicate, many people find they need a sunscreen for the face that’s more sensitive and won’t leave a white cast. Find out what made our list for the 10 best face sunscreens.
Best Face Sunscreen for Travel
Travel Fashion Girl help! A reader asks:
Hey ladies! I’m looking for recommendations for the best face sunscreen for my upcoming Israel and Jordan trip. I have sensitive skin and most sunscreen really bothers my face, clog my pores, and make me break out. I would love your recommendations!
Sunscreen and sunny weather go hand in hand. Whether you’re traveling to the desert across the globe or your local beach, make sure you lather up with enough protection.
While most sunscreens will do for your body, many women require a face sunscreen for sensitive skin. Face sunscreens are formulated specially for the face and delicate skin.
Here, our readers share their recommendations for the best face sunscreen for sensitive skin.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Face Sunscreen
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 50
La Roche-Posay’s mineral face sunscreen offers a high level of sun protection without the oily feel or white cast. This fast-absorbing fluid has a non-whitening texture and matte finish so you can wear it under makeup or on its own.
Not only is this frequently rated as the best face sunscreen, but our readers also rave about it. One reader says, “one bottle goes such a long way. Last summer we could have fried since we were in the Bermuda sun for so many hours, but we didn’t even burn and I am very fair skinned,” while another adds, “I swear by this stuff, too. It’s incredible.”
MDSolarSciences Mineral Crème SPF 50 Sunscreen
This lightweight and silky-smooth crème is naturally derived and has safer Eco-cert zinc oxide, which helps reduce the risk of photo aging and skin cancer. Non-irritating and oil-free, this water-resistant sunscreen won’t clog pores and is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin types.
Featuring a “barely there” formula, this cream leaves a matte finish that is perfect to wear under or over makeup. One reader shares, “I love the matte finish, so I never have to worry about a shiny face.”
Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 45
Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 45
If you have particularly oily skin or hate applying a liquid sunscreen, try a powder one! This one from Peter Thomas Roth provides on-the-go broad spectrum sun protection in a convenient, self-dispensing brush. This no-fuss, no-mess dry sunscreen is perfect for travel and gals on the go.
One reader says, “I always use this powder sunscreen on my travels. It’s much easier than a liquid, plus I don’t have to worry about keeping it sealed in my toiletries.”
Supergoop! Skin Soothing Mineral Sunscreen
Supergoop! Skin Soothing Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40
For a face sunscreen that delivers a delicate touch, look no further than Supergoop! Developed with olive oil polyphenols, rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and known to calm redness, irritation and inflammation, this lightweight, hypoallergenic formula is ideal for even the most sensitive skin types.
A reader shares, “I find that my sensitive skin tolerates Supergoop’s SPF 40 mineral sunscreen. It’s free of parabens and other bad chemicals. It’s been a miracle for my skin!”
Sun Bum Original Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion
Sun Bum Original Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 30
Sun Bum is another brand of sunscreen free of parabens and other chemicals many of us like to avoid. Enriched with vitamin E, this sunscreen helps neutralize free radicals and moisturize skin. This sunscreen is also hypoallergenic and designed for even the most sensitive skin.
A reader shares, “we live in Hawaii and are constantly in the sun. We use Sun Bum because it doesn’t make the adults break out, the kids’ skin doesn’t react, and it’s paraben free. I’m a huge fan and it comes in the perfect little tub for travel. Love it!”
Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Mineral Sunscreen
Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
If your skin is sensitive, consider trying a sunscreen for babies. Formulated specifically for baby’s delicate skin, this dermatologist-tested sunscreen is free of fragrance, parabens, phthalates, dyes, and irritating chemicals.
One reader says, “I asked my dermatologist for a sunscreen recommendation recently and she suggested the Neutrogena Pure and Free baby sunscreen. It’s great for delicate skin with a lot of sun protection.”
Coola Suncare Mineral Face SPF 30 Sunscreen
Coola Mineral Face Matte SPF 30
Coola is one of the best natural sunscreen brands on the market. Free of skin-irritating chemicals, this non-greasy sunscreen simultaneously provides physical UV protection while giving skin a matte appearance. Designed for daily use, it won’t clog pores or leave a shiny finish. There’s also a tinted version for those who want to even out their skin tone.
One reader says, “If you want a natural mineral sunscreen, I love Coola’s face sunscreen. It’s water resistant and has a matte finish,” while another adds, “I like Coola. It is a little pricey but it’s worth it because it’s not sticky or smelly and has natural ingredients.”
Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen
Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen SPF 30
Australia is known for its intense summer heat, so it makes sense that so many readers swear by this Australian brand of sunscreen. Along with providing great coverage, it’s formulated with dermatologists to protect sensitive skin from the sun. It’s also mineral based without any skin irritating ingredients or parabens.
A reader says, “I swear by Blue Lizard. I have used several from this line and haven’t had problems. I have very dry, sensitive skin, and many sunscreens will cause breakouts (even Neutrogena), but not this one!”
City Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 25
Clinique City Block Face Protector SPF 25
When you want to keep things simple, reach for the Clinique City Block face protector, which is a daily, no-fuss, lightweight sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum sun protection in a sheer formula. Wear alone or use as a makeup primer, the oil-free finish absorbs excess oil and keeps perspiration at bay.
One reader says, “I use the Clinique City Block SPF 25 every day. I prefer the this SPF level over the higher amounts. They have very different ingredients and this one works better for my skin.”
Aveeno Natural Protection Oil-Free Mineral Sunscreen Lotion
Aveeno Natural Protection Sunscreen SPF 50
This 100% mineral sunscreen is specially created for sensitive skin, featuring a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and oil-free formula. It contains Active Naturals Oat that soothes skin, plus zinc oxide for ultimate sun protection.
Several readers love this because it doesn’t irritate their face. One reader says, “I love Aveeno sunscreen for my super sensitive skin.”
What are your top picks for the best face sunscreen for travel? Comment below!
For more travel beauty tips, please read:
- The Best Tinted Sunscreen
- 18 Solid Toiletries for Carryon Travel
- The Ultimate Guide to Travel Toiletries
- Create Your Own Mini Emergency Beauty Kit
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I’ve never come across blue lizard sunscreen! Australians are used to a variety of sunscreens, but I’ve never come across this one, anywhere. I’ll keep my eye out for this one.
Hi Jennifer, thank you for your comment! 🙂
the neutrogena sunscreen you posted above also comes in a solid form! it has saved me lots of hassle on many trips. it’s also great because it doesn’t have chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate which have been proven to harm reefs. love this blog, keep up the good work!
Hi Nicole, thank you for sharing your great advice about the Neutrogena sunscreen! Thank you so much for your lovely comment, so pleased you love the blog!!! 🙂
I like the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen Stick. It looks like a stick of deodorant and because it’s solid, I don’t have to worry about it leaking out in my luggage or getting all gloppy over my clothes. I didn’t get sunburnt at all when I was in Arizona!
Hi Carrie, thank you for sharing your recommendation for sunscreen!! 🙂