Sunscreen for Acne Prone Skin: How to Choose the Best SPF Product

One of the best things you can do for acne-prone skin is to protect it from the sun. There’s a dangerous misconception that sunbathing can “dry out” pimples and get rid of them. The truth is sun exposure can make your acne worse by dehydrating your skin and sending your oil glands into overdrive. If you have pimples, here’s what you should look for in sunscreen for acne-prone skin.

When you’re choosing sunscreen for acne-prone skin, the most important consideration is that it works. Sunscreen is your skin’s best defense against the sun’s ultraviolet rays, which can cause sunburn, premature skin aging, and skin cancer. If it doesn’t do that, then it won’t matter if it’s for your skin type. These are the three essentials you should be looking for in a sunscreen product, according to the American Academy of Dermatology:

It should be at least SPF 30, which blocks 97% of UVB rays. SPF 50 will protect you by about 98% percent. The number shows how long the sun’s rays can burn your skin. Sunscreen with an SPF of 30 means it would take 30 times longer for your skin to burn than if you didn’t wear sunscreen.

It should protect your skin against both UVB and UVA rays. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, UVA rays have a longer wavelength and are associated with premature skin aging, while UVB rays have a shorter wavelength and are associated with sunburn.

Try to find a sunscreen that’s water-resistant, which means you don’t have to reapply it too often even if you sweat. Usually, water-resistant sunscreens would have a rating of 40 or 80, indicating that you should reapply after 40 or 80 minutes of swimming or sweating.

Some people don’t like applying sunscreen because it makes them break out. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, look for a sunscreen that has “non-comedogenic” or “won’t clog pores” on the label. It will likely prevent breakouts. Ideally, it should also be fragrance-free. Also, it shouldn't contain ingredients, such as shea butter or coconut oil, that are too rich for oily skin. If you’re not a fan of the slick texture of sunscreen, try a non-sticky, water-based, or gel formula. 

Try using POND'S UV Bright Sunscreen. It is a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects the skin against UVA and UVB rays. It’s also non-sticky and is absorbed quickly by the skin. It evens out the skin tone and helps fade acne scars while protecting your skin from sun damage.

Skin that has breakouts is more sensitive and easily irritated. You may think that staying under the sun would speed up the healing of pimples, but it aggravates them. Stay protected from harmful UV rays with the right sunscreen for acne-prone skin.