Yahoo Finance This Best-Selling Facial Sunscreen Has Over 4,000 Amazon Reviews
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This Best-Selling Facial Sunscreen Has Over 4,000 Amazon Reviews
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 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 to buy in 2021, whether you're looking for a spray, chemical-free natural formula, no white cast, and more:
amazon - 2/16
1) AntiOxidant+ SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion
Hawaiian Tropic
amazon.com
$9.94
This sunscreen lotion from Hawaiian Tropic earned the overall highest score in our 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.
Hawaiian Tropic - 3/16
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3) Coppertone Pure & Simple SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion, Water Resistant, Hypoallergenic, Dermatologically Tested, Plus 100% Natural Botanicals, Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB Protection,White, 6 Ounce
Coppertone - 5/16
4) Botanical SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion
Australian Gold
walmart.com
$8.68
If you're searching for a mineral sunscreen for sensitive skin, this one from Australian Gold is a great choice because it uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as its active ingredients. Testers said it didn't feel greasy on their skin, and it's still gentle enough so that it won't feel irritating (some even used it on their babies' skin!). Plus, it'll stand up to sweat and saltwater for up to 80 minutes — perfect for outdoor activities and beach trips alike. "It absorbed easily and did not leave my hands greasy, which is important when I’m playing tennis," one tester said. One thing to keep in mind: most mineral sunscreens tend to leave behind some white residue.
Australian Gold - 6/16
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6) SunComfort SPF 50 Sunscreen
Banana Boat
amazon.com
$11.49
Banana Boat's aerosol sunscreen earned top scores all around. Our testers raved about how lightweight it felt and how it immediately soaked into their skin. It has a mild fruity scent (that most testers liked!) but some found it too sweet. Even though it earned high scores on average for not stinging or irritating skin, one person said they felt a burning sensation on freshly-shaven skin.
Banana Boat - 8/16
7) Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50 Sunscreen
MDSolarSciences
amazon.com
$31.20
Here's another sunscreen that earned a perfect score 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!
MDSolarSciences - 9/16
8) SPF 50 Sunscreen
Vanicream
amazon.com
Dr. Chapas recommends Vanicream lotions for people with eczema, so this mineral sunscreen from the brand is a great option for sun protection without irritating sensitive, eczema-prone skin, even though it wasn't a part of our formal test. "My kids have very sensitive skin and their eczema breaks out bad when I use other brands of sunscreen," writes one Amazon reviewer. 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," according to Dr. Sherber.
Vanicream - 10/16
9) Protect + Hydrate SPF 50 Face Sunscreen
Aveeno
amazon.com
$13.16
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.
RELATED: 15 Best Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin, According to Skincare Experts and Dermatologists
Aveeno - 11/16
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11) Organic Body Sunscreen SPF 50
Coola
amazon.com
$28.00
Perfect for anyone who loves fruity fragrances, this lightweight sunscreen is still a great option for people with sensitive skin. Even though it has a guava and mango scent, the formula doesn't contain any synthetic fragrances. Some of our testers even used it on their faces, too, and none of them experienced any irritation in or around their eyes. Plus, it won't rub off on your bathing suit or clothes, so you don't have to worry about pesky stains.
Coola - 13/16
12) Mineral Crème SPF 50 Face Sunscreen
MDSolarSciences
amazon.com
$30.00
This zinc oxide- and titanium dioxide-based face sunscreen won't cause irritation to your skin. Testers appreciated its delicate scent, fast absorption (not an easy feat for mineral sunscreens), 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.
MDSolarSciences - 14/16
13) UV Clear SPF 46 Face Sunscreen
EltaMD
amazon.com
$36.00
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 sunscreen is often recommended for acne-prone skin and it doesn't contain any fragrance. EltaMD is even the sunscreen of choice for a few experts and editors on the Good Housekeeping team.
Elta MD - 15/16
14) Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion
Sun Bum
amazon.com
$15.99
Sun Bum's Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion received a perfect score for not stinging or irritating skin. This sunscreen also scored the highest for its fragrance — it has a light scent 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.
Sun Bum - 16/16
15) Ultra Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
Banana Boat
amazon.com
$6.99
At just $7 for an 8-ounce bottle, this sunscreen is super affordable. You can even use it on your face in a pinch, too— 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.
Banana Boat
No need to worry about it stinging or irritating your skin.
