These 10 Dermatologist-Recommended Sunscreens for Rosacea Will Protect Your Skin All Summer Long

Our top pick for the best sunscreen for people with rosacea and sensitive skin is Blue Lizard sunscreen, thanks to its skin-friendly, gentle formula. “This one is a go-to in my practice. The mineral formula is gentle, and I love that it turns blue in UV light — it’s a great visual reminder for reapplication. It’s fragrance-free and holds up well, even in heat or humidity,” explains Dr. Kopelman. Kopelman is referring to the sunscreen bottle’s cap, which turns blue when exposed to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.

I tested this sunscreen and found it very soothing. It didn’t aggravate my rosacea, nor did it trigger any acne. I have combination skin and had no issue; however, others have noted that it’s not ideal for oily skin. The only downside of this product is that the texture is a bit thick, and it took me a little while to rub it into my skin without leaving a white residue. I also suffer from dry eyes and ocular rosacea, and while it didn’t make my eyes burn like many sunscreens do, I did experience mild discomfort when I sweated and some of the product got into my eyes. That said, it’s rare for me not to suffer any eye discomfort from sunscreen, and it wasn’t enough to deter me from using this soothing product in the future. It’s also under $15, making it a solid budget-friendly sunscreen.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Sunscreen is our pick for the best mineral formulation with a cosmetic finish, thanks to its gentle effect on rosacea-prone skin and its smooth appearance under makeup. “It contains antioxidants and has a nice cosmetic finish for a mineral sunscreen, which is something my patients always ask for. It wears well under makeup and doesn’t leave a heavy white cast,” Kopelman says.

The foundation’s mineral formulation is less likely to irritate rosacea-prone skin. It’s tinted, super liquidy, and lightweight, blending effortlessly into the skin to leave a beautiful finish that’s perfect under makeup.

Dupati also recommends this sunscreen. “CeraVe Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 offers great value for [the] price. The mineral aspect of the sunscreen is gentle on rosacea-prone skin and packs a punch with such a high SPF,” he says. 

The only potential drawbacks are that it’s not water resistant and requires extra blending, although that’s not uncommon for mineral sunscreens. That said, CeraVe also makes a tinted version of its mineral sunscreen for those worried about a residual whitish cast. Tester LT used this version, noting that “it leaves skin feeling hydrated and moisturized.”

Our choice for the best tinted sunscreen for rosacea is PCA Skin Sheer Tint, due to its nonirritating mineral formula and tinted, smooth finish on the skin. “I’ve used and recommended this brand, especially for patients looking for medical-grade skin care. Their sunscreens tend to have calming ingredients and elegant textures that don’t flare rosacea,” says Kopelman.

It’s also water resistant for up to 80 minutes, making it perfect for hot summer days at the beach. Because this sunscreen is tinted, it can help neutralize any redness in the skin caused by rosacea. Our tester, Amy Fischer, RDN, CDN, enjoyed using this thick yet lightweight and smooth sunscreen. “It is easy to apply and absorbs quickly with no white cast. It’s not patchy either — it just blends very well,” she explains. While the sunscreen looked great on her skin and was comparable to a makeup foundation, she found it a bit too drying for daily use. She found it easier to use on more humid days. This product is also one of the priciest on our list, but it may be worth the splurge if you want a makeup-like sunscreen and don’t have super dry skin.

Our top pick for the best sunscreen for rosacea- and acne-prone skin is Hero Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen, due to its mineral formula and green tint that support both skin types. “I’ve found this works well for patients who have both rosacea and acne. It’s mineral-based, noncomedogenic, and lightweight — plus it has a green tint to help neutralize redness, which my rosacea patients really appreciate,” says Kopelman. “Noncomedogenic” means the sunscreen is specifically formulated not to clog pores.

Fischer, who also tested this product, says she loved how the sunscreen protected her skin without causing any breakouts or dryness. “I liked that it made my skin look dewy and not dry like a lot of sunscreens can. I also love that it has zero fragrance in it,” she says. She wishes that the texture were just a bit smoother and easier to apply, although she says it won’t deter her from using it in the future. She also says it works well as a makeup primer. This sunscreen has an SPF of 30, which is lower than some on our list — however, it meets dermatologists’ recommendations for an SPF suitable for rosacea. It’s not water resistant and will require reapplication. This is one of the more affordable sunscreens on our list, making it a great budget-friendly option.

It’s noncomedogenic and won’t clog pores in the skin or the meibomian glands of the eyes. It’s also lightweight and less likely to irritate the eyes than thicker sunscreens, and it is tinted to mask redness.

Our tester, Olivia Campbell, says that she loved its “coverage, texture, and results” and that it was her favorite of the three sunscreens she tried. She says her skin felt smoother and softer after using it, and her pores appeared smaller. Unlike most other sunscreens on this list, it isn’t a 100 percent mineral formula, since it contains a chemical filter called octinoxate, and while this sunscreen is generally tolerated by very people with sensitive skin, you may want to do patch testing to rule out an allergic reaction. Also, it’s not water resistant, so it will need to be reapplied.

Our top choice for the best sunscreen for people with rosacea and oily skin is Supergoop! Mineral Mattescreen, due to its gentle, nongreasy texture and 100 percent mineral formula. “This is a good option for patients who are dealing with both oiliness and rosacea. I appreciate the matte finish — it helps with shine without drying the skin out,” explains Kopelman. In addition to being a mineral formula, it has added perks, such as bamboo and butterfly ginger extracts, which the company claims serve as a blue light filter.

It’s noncomedogenic, so it won’t clog pores, and the slight tint helps to cover up redness. It’s also vegan, cruelty-free, and water resistant for up to 40 minutes.

“I liked that it did not sink into fine lines and wrinkles — thereby highlighting them — like many other tinted/coverage products do,” says Campbell, who tested this product as well. The sunscreen delivered matte results as promised, and she did not get a sunburn while wearing it. However, she felt as though it dried out her skin a bit and took a while to absorb.

Our tester, Nicole Bonaccorso, liked that the consistency of this sunscreen felt more like a moisturizer. She tested it for 10 days, and it protected her well against the sun. However, she noted that 10 days probably isn’t enough time to determine whether it repaired any existing sun damage to her skin. This is also one of the priciest options on our list.

Marschall, who also tested this product, notes that it provided sun protection without irritating her skin, although she wasn’t a fan of its texture or scent. She adds that she is sensitive to certain textures and therefore may be more bothered than some. She used the product for 10 days, which wasn’t long enough for her to see any anti-aging results. Some rosacea sufferers may also prefer a sunscreen with an SPF above 30.

Our top pick for the best moisturizing sunscreen for people with rosacea is Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen, due to its gentle 100 percent mineral formula and skin-nourishing ingredients. “I love this for patients whose rosacea is tied to dryness or barrier disruption. The squalane base is nourishing and soothing, and the mineral filters make it a safe, calming option,” explains Kopelman. Squalane is a plant-derived hydrator that supports the skin barrier by mimicking the skin’s natural oils. This sunscreen is also noncomedogenic, so it won’t clog pores. 

I tested this product, and it’s now become one of my favorite sunscreens ever. It did not aggravate my rosacea, and it made my skin look dewy and healthy without being oily. I have combination skin plus rosacea and ocular rosacea, and it didn’t irritate my skin or eyes, which is a major plus. It’s SPF 30, which is a lower SPF than some people with rosacea like to use, although I didn’t get any sunburn while wearing it, despite being outside all day.