What sunscreen should I use for oily skin?

What else should you look for?

Sunscreen helps prevent sun damage that can lead to wrinkles, age spots and skin cancer.2

How should you apply it?

1. 1Apply sunscreen before going outdoors.
2. 2Apply enough to maintain its SPF, then reapply every two hours.
3. 3Seek shade and wear sun protective clothing, such as a wide brimmed hat, for additional protection.

Parched skin produces more sebum, so hydration belongs in an oily skin routine. A moisturizer with broad spectrum sunscreen and SPF 30 or higher can combine hydration and sun protection.25

What sunscreen is best for acne prone skin?

Look for sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, and avoid fragrance or oils. These are the specific sunscreen ingredient choices recommended to help prevent acne breakouts.2

Is gel sunscreen good for oily skin?

A gel sunscreen can be a reasonable option if it meets the same protection standard: broad spectrum, SPF 30 or higher, and water resistant. Gel is a texture choice, not a second SPF rating.1

Does sunscreen make oily skin worse?

Some people with oily skin find that sunscreen causes breakouts, so the oil free and noncomedogenic labels are starting points, not a promise about how a formula will suit you. Patch test a new sunscreen before using it over your whole face. If a rash or other skin problem lingers or worsens, contact a dermatologist.35

What does SPF tell you?

SPF mainly rates UVB protection, the radiation most responsible for sunburn. Broad spectrum matters because sunscreen is used to protect against both UVA and UVB radiation. UVA contributes to skin aging and skin cancer.4

SPF 30 is listed as providing about 97 percent UVB protection, compared with about 98 percent for SPF 50 plus. Those figures assume applying about 2 milligrams of sunscreen per square centimetre; applying less can reduce the protection achieved.4

Should I use sunscreen on cloudy days?

Daily sunscreen use is recommended when the forecast UV index reaches 3 or higher. UVA rays can penetrate clouds and glass, so a bright, cloudless afternoon is not the only time sunscreen is useful.4

Should I choose mineral sunscreen?

For acne prevention, dermatologists recommend sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and avoiding fragrance or oils. These are mineral filters, and mineral sunscreens provide broad spectrum UVA and UVB coverage. Chemical sunscreen filters also absorb UV radiation, while mineral filters primarily absorb it too.24

Can makeup replace sunscreen?

If you wear makeup, choose oil free, water based products; a matte label can help reduce shine. Makeup can be a secondary sunscreen, but sun protection is not its main function, so choose a sunscreen whose main job is sun protection.24

No sunscreen blocks all UV radiation, so the old name sunblock had a more ambitious job description than the product can fill.4