Best Sunscreen for Rosacea

Rosacea is a common skin condition that causes redness, small bumps, and sensitivity on the face. Having this condition can be very frustrating, particularly when it comes to finding skin products that won’t exacerbate it.

In particular, it can be challenging to find the best sunscreen for rosacea…

Because it needs to be a product that will address the symptoms of rosacea and prevent it from getting worse.

In this article, we’ll help you find the best sunscreen for your rosacea symptoms.

There are certain sunscreen products that are particularly good for rosacea. Here are our reviews of the top sunscreens for this condition.​

Best Sunscreens for Rosacea​

1. Vanicream Sunscreen Sport

Vanicream Sunscreen Sport

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This sunscreen is great for those who suffer from rosacea because it is very gentle and does not contain any skin irritants. It does not contain dyes, fragrances, parabens, or chemicals that could make a rosacea flare-up worse.

It also has an SPF of 35 and protects against both UVA and UVB rays, which is necessary for anyone who has rosacea. This sunscreen is particularly good for athletes who have rosacea because it is not greasy and feels very light on the skin.

It also does not run and it is water-resistant for 80 minutes, so it stays in place nicely throughout the day.

This product has a thick consistency, but because it is not greasy or oily, it rubs into the skin effectively. It feels very soft and pleasant on the skin, even if you are applying it to a rosacea-irritated area.

It also does not have any smell at all. Just like any sunscreen, you do need to reapply regularly, and because of the thicker texture, you may run out of this sunscreen fairly quickly if you are using it regularly.

It also does take some time to sink into the skin because of the thicker texture. You may notice a white cast when you first apply the product because it is a physical sunscreen, but as it sinks in this will go away.​

PROS

  • Feels gentle and pleasant when applied
  • Does not run, stays in place even in water
  • Provides good protection for long periods of time
  • No smells or irritating ingredients

CONS

  • Needs to be used in large quantities
  • Takes time to dry on the skin

2. Blue Lizard Sensitive Sunscreen

Blue Lizard Sensitive Sunscreen

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This sunscreen is designed with sensitive skin in mind, so it makes sense that it’s so effective for those that have rosacea. It contains an SPF of 30 and protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

It contains both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are known to be very effective chemical sunscreens. It does not contain chemicals, parabens, or fragrances that are irritating to those with rosacea.

A very interesting feature that this sunscreen has is that the bottle turns blue when there are UVA rays in your environment. This is a great warning to put on more sunscreen to prevent burns.

This sunscreen does not move at all and is very effective for preventing sunburns and sun rash. It does not need to be applied as often as other sunscreens because it is quite waterproof and won’t sweat off.

Of course, if you have rosacea, you should still always apply sunscreen every few hours, but it’s helpful to know that this sunblock will still protect you. It also feels nice and moisturizing on the skin, which many physical sunblocks don’t.

It is very easy to spread and apply all over the body. Because it has moisturizing properties, some do find that it feels a bit greasy if you apply too much.

However, because it is designed for sensitive skin, it is unlikely to clog your pores. It’s important to make sure that you do not get it in your hair, as this will make your hair feel very greasy.​

PROS

  • Very effective, does not need to be applied too often
  • Unique bottle reminds you to put on sunscreen
  • Feels moisturizing, spreads very easily on the skin
  • Highly waterproof

CONS

  • Can feel greasy if over-applied
  • May leave a thin white cast on the skin

3. Cotz Sensitive

Cotz Spf

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This sunscreen provides effective protection for those with sensitive, burn-prone skin. It has a strong SPF of 40 and protects against both UVA and UVB rays. It does not contain fragrances, chemicals, or preservatives that can be very irritating to people with rosacea.

It feels smooth and pleasant on the skin, but isn’t runny or greasy. It is water resistant for up to 40 minutes. It does have a white cast when you first apply it, but this disappears fairly quickly after you rub it in.

Many people particularly like using it on their face, because it works well under makeup.

Many people do find that this sunscreen is difficult to apply because it has a very thick consistency. It may take some time to spread over the skin, and because it has a rich consistency, it may not fully sink into your skin at all in some cases.

It does leave a slight shine on the skin as well, but it isn’t overpowering. It is very concentrated, so you don’t need a lot to cover a large area of your body. Therefore, one bottle will last a long time, providing good value.​

PROS

  • Strong SPF that doesn’t move
  • Works well under makeup
  • Has a nice consistency that feels pleasant on the skin
  • Lasts for a long time
  • Not irritating to skin with rosacea

CONS

  • Very difficult to spread out
  • Does not sink in on some parts of the body
  • Slight shine lingers on the skin

4. EltaMD Broad Spectrum

EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum

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This sunscreen is designed specifically for faces with sensitive skin.

It comes with a convenient pump that makes it easy to apply. It has a very strong SPF of 46 that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

It also contains hyaluronic acid, which is a skincare ingredient that helps your face maintain an even, appealing texture.

This sunscreen does not contain any oil, so it does not feel greasy when you apply it. It feels light on the skin and can be worn under makeup.

This sunscreen comes in tinted and non-tinted formulas for daily wear. Both products do leave a slight white cast, but this will dissipate as you rub the product in. Rosacea sufferers find that this produce is very helpful for acne.

PROS

  • High SPF
  • Contains ingredients that keep the skin healthy
  • Comes in both tinted and non-tinted formulas

CONS

  • Leaves a white cast initially
  • Not ideal for use on the body

What is Rosacea?

girl normal skin in field

First, let’s take a deeper look at what exactly rosacea is.

It is a chronic condition that typically occurs after the age of 30, although it is possible to experience it earlier than this. It generally occurs on the face, but can also be found on the neck and chest.

The first symptom most people notice is redness and sensitivity on prominent areas of the face, such as the cheeks, nose, or forehead

Many people also experience small red bumps or even pus-filled pimples that are similar to traditional acne.

Over time if the rosacea is not managed, the skin will start to swell and blood vessels will become more prominent. Irritation in the blood vessels around the eye is very common.

How is Rosacea Treated?​

It is important to start treating rosacea right away to prevent it from persisting or getting worse.

Although rosacea is a chronic condition that will continue to flare up throughout your life, there are things you can do to minimize the symptoms and reduce irritation on your skin.

Rosacea patients are typically prescribed an oral or topical treatment to reduce redness or irritation. It is also necessary to maintain a very gentle skin care routine that will not make symptoms worse.

If you have rosacea, it is very important to see a dermatologist instead of trying to treat it on your own.​

What Should Rosacea Patients Look For In a Sunscreen?​

Sunscreen is very important for rosacea patients. Skin with rosacea is prone to burn, so it is very important to have that protection against the sun.

However, it is also very important that the sunscreen does not irritate the face. You will need a sunscreen that has an SPF of 15 or higher and protects against both UVA and UVB rays.​

It is also very important that you use a physical sunscreen instead of a chemical one.

There are two ways to protect your skin against the sun:

PHYSICAL: A physical sunscreen, which provides a physical barrier between the sun’s rays and your skin.

CHEMICAL: And a chemical sunscreen, which uses a specific formulation of ingredients to prevent burns and sun damage.

The chemicals in the latter type of sunscreen are usually too damaging to use on skin with rosacea. Instead, you should look for a physical sunscreen that contains zinc or titanium dioxide, which are strong physical sunscreens.​

It is also helpful if the formula is designed specifically for sensitive skin.

Many companies make sunscreens now that are formulated with gentle minerals and organic ingredients that are not irritating.

You’ll want to avoid highly fragranced sunscreens, as these are generally quite irritating for those with rosacea.

Generally, the simpler the ingredients list is, the less irritating the sunscreen will be.

You should also avoid sunscreens with parabens or other chemical preservatives, as these are not only bad for the skin but can also have negative long-term consequences for your health.

How Else Can I Prevent Sun-Induced Rosacea Flare-Ups?​

Rosacea patients need to be extremely careful with their sun exposure…

It is very important to wear sunscreen every day, even if you are only going outside for just a few minutes. It is also very important to protect your body and face by wearing hats and sunglasses, which protect your scalp and eyes.

When you can, avoid going outside in the middle of the day, which is when the sun is strongest and most likely to burn.

You should also reapply sunscreen frequently when you do go outside, and avoid spending more than a few hours outside at a time

If you get into water or sweat heavily at all while you are outside, you should reapply your sunscreen just in case.

Conclusion

If you suffer from rosacea, there are many products out there that can help keep your skin in good shape. These sunscreens are all very effective from protecting your sensitive skin from burns.