The 10 Best Sunscreens for Rosacea-Prone Skin of 2025
Meet the Expert
- Dr. Connie Yang - Board-certified dermatologist, fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, and member of Dermstore’s Medical Advisory Board
Key Ingredients in Sunscreen for Rosacea
The secret to making sunscreen work well for rosacea-prone skin is to use products with ingredients that are safe and tolerable for it. That means gentle, non-irritating, and non-stinging ingredients take precedence so that the skin is not compromised. Minerals, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, are often safe sun-protecting ingredients for rosacea-prone skin. According to dermatologist Dr. Connie Yang, MD, mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide are best since these ingredients tend to be less irritating than chemical sunscreens.
Tinted pigments are also helpful since they help neutralize any redness in the skin. “Tinted formulations can provide added protection against blue light,” Dr. Yang adds. And, of course, soothing, anti-inflammatory agents like chamomile, aloe vera, green tea, and niacinamide are also beneficial to this skin type, helping to comfort and nourish it.
How to Choose the Right Sunscreen for Rosacea
When choosing the right sunscreen for rosacea-prone skin, there are many dos and plenty of don’ts. Formulations that contain alcohol, fragrance, and irritating chemicals can compromise this skin type and cause a rosacea flare-up, so make sure to read the ingredient label carefully and understand what is in sunscreen before putting it on your skin.
Sunscreens made with sensitive skin in mind and those that are mineral-based are always best since they are usually free of irritants that can disrupt the skin’s balance. Still, whatever sunscreen you ultimately choose should work with your lifestyle and never upset your skin; otherwise, it’s not the right one for you.
Shop the Best Sunscreens for Rosacea
1. Dune Suncare The Mineral Melt - Invisible Mineral Suncare For Face - SPF 30
$29.95
This doctor-developed ultra sheer mineral sunscreen packs serious sun protection with skincare benefits to protect your skin all day long. Perfect for all skin tones and never leaving behind a white cast, this clean SPF helps to hydrate the skin without clogging the pores.
Active Ingredients: Vitamin E, carrot extract, sunflower extract, rock rose extract, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide
Type: Mineral
Beauty Insider Tip: The sunscreen’s proprietary formula uses a special micro-dispersion technology so that the formula remains thin and absorbs fast
2. SkinCeuticals Clear Daily Soothing UV Defense Cream SPF 50
9 reviews
$54.00
This transparent sunscreen protects the skin from UV rays and helps hydrate and soothe it, especially if the skin is sensitive or easily irritated and reddened. The blend of mineral and chemical skin protectants allows for a light yet never greasy feel on the skin and no heavy residue, either.
Active Ingredients: Peptides, bisabolol, zinc oxide, glycerin
Type: Mineral and chemical
SPF: 50
Beauty Insider Tip: The size of the bottle is TSA-approved, making this sunscreen a must-pack on your next vacation.
3. EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
5216 reviews
RRP: $44.00Current price: $37.40
We like this lightweight, oil-free sunscreen for protecting the skin without compromising its health. Perfect for use on sensitive skin types, this fragrance-free SPF defends against UVA and UVB rays while hydrating the skin and relying on lactic acid to refine the pores and reduce shine.
Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, octinoxate, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E
Type: Mineral
SPF: 46
Beauty Insider Tip: Available in a tinted and non-tinted version to meet your skin’s needs.
Related Article: Reviewed: EltaMD UV Clear Sunscreen Collection
4. SENTÉ Even Tone Mineral SPF
4 reviews
$75.00
Treat your skin to this mineral-tinted sunscreen and keep it optimally protected against sun damage, inflammation, and hyperpigmentation. Powered by zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and a skin-repairing molecule, the formula boosts the skin’s ability to respond to inflammation while promoting repair from the inside out.
Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, antioxidants, heparan sulfate analog, iron oxides
SPF: 36
Beauty Insider Tip: Always use this as the very last step in your skincare routine.
5. Eminence Organic Skin Care Bright Skin Moisturizer SPF 40
12 reviews
$65.00
More than your average moisturizer, this one packs mineral-based sun protection along with natural skin brighteners to help even out the skin’s tone while preventing sunburns. After sticking to a routine that incorporates the cream, dark spots seem to fade away, and the skin’s moisture content improves.
Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, African potato, tara tree extract, Swiss Alpine plant extracts, licorice root, stone crop
Type: Mineral
SPF: 40
Beauty Insider Tip: For the best results, prep the skin and hydrate it before warming up a pea-sized amount of the SPF in the hands. Then, apply it to the forehead, nose, and cheeks first, working it into the rest of the face, cheeks, and chest.
6. Avène Mineral Sunscreen Multi-Defense Fluid SPF 50+
$36.00
This super lightweight, all-mineral sunscreen protects with an SPF of 50 and no resident. Its mineral filters and other skin-friendly ingredients offer a soothing and calming effect on easily irritated and sensitive skin.
Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, vitamin E, bisabolol, allantoin, niacinamide
Type: Mineral
SPF: 50
Beauty Insider Tip: The quick-to-absorb formula offers water resistance for up to 40 minutes.
7. MDSolarSciences Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50
2 reviews
$46.00
Think of this super-hydrating sunscreen as the ultimate skin fix from head to toe. Not only does it offer a luxurious application that feels comforting on contact, but it also helps to restore the skin’s barrier with ceramides. The sheer coverage is invisible but powerful in what it offers.
Active Ingredients: Vitamin C, green tea, zinc oxide
Type: Mineral
SPF: 50
Beauty Insider Tip: Reapply the sunscreen every two hours to stay well-protected.
8. Colorescience Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Face Shield SPF 50
431 reviews
$49.00
This all-mineral sunscreen protects the skin from harmful UV rays while providing flawless coverage. The sheer formula is water and sweat-resistant and works for all skin types and tones while enhancing the skin’s natural beauty.
Active Ingredients: Niacinamide, lipochroman, Phytomoist, InfraGuard, Vital ET
Type: Mineral
SPF: 50
Beauty Insider Tip: Mix and match this Colorscience sunscreen with others in the collection for a custom look.
9. Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen Mineral SPF 40
$40.00
One of our favorite everyday sunscreens, this weightless formula glides on like a dream and blends in seamlessly. Safe for all skin types, even the most sensitive ones, the SPF also doubles as a makeup primer, leaving your skin prepped and protected–a win-win!
Active Ingredients: Bamboo extracts, zinc oxide
Type: Mineral
SPF: 40
Beauty Insider Tip: Allow 30 seconds for the product to fully absorb before applying makeup.
10. ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica Mineral Broad-Spectrum Face Sunscreen SPF 50+
16 reviews
$73.00
This lightweight, great-for-everyday-use sunscreen stands apart from the rest because it contains special, naturally occurring enzyme-based DNA Repairsomes that repair signs of sun damage on the skin’s surface. Use it daily to protect your skin from UV rays while simultaneously undoing the signs of past damage for your best skin ever.
Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, DNA Repairsomes
Type: Mineral
SPF: 50
Beauty Insider Tip: Shake the bottle well and apply about two finger lengths of sunscreen to the face and neck.
FAQs
Does Zinc Oxide in Sunscreen Help Rosacea?
Zinc oxide is beneficial in protecting rosacea-prone skin but any type of sunscreen use is better than going bare face. As Dr. Yang explains, UV exposure can cause flare-ups of rosacea and damage the skin barrier, so protecting the skin with sunscreen can minimize redness and heat-related irritation. “Broken capillaries are common in rosacea-prone skin and can worsen with sun exposure. Sunscreen helps protect the skin from UV-induced vascular damage.”
How Often Should You Apply Sunscreen for Rosacea?
According to Dr. Yang, rosacea-prone skin should be protected with sunscreen every two hours to limit potential UV damage and inflammation.
What Do Dermatologists Recommend for Sunscreen for Rosacea?
Most dermatologists, including Dr. Yang, suggest using a broad-spectrum sunscreen that works for their skin type. “People with rosacea tend to have more sensitive skin, so I recommend mineral sunscreen. Mineral sunscreens are zinc and titanium-based and less irritating than some of the chemical filters on the market.”
What Should You Avoid in Sunscreen for Rosacea?
Those with rosacea should avoid certain types of sunscreen and commonly found ingredients. Mineral-based sunscreens are always better than chemical ones since some chemicals, as well as fragrances, alcohol, and parabens, can cause the skin to become desensitized, irritated, red, itchy, and inflamed. To make sure a sunscreen isn’t irritating to your skin, always patch test it before applying it all over your face.
The Bottom Line
Most dermatologists, including Dr. Yang, suggest using a broad-spectrum sunscreen that works for their skin type. “People with rosacea tend to have more sensitive skin, so I recommend mineral sunscreen. Mineral sunscreens are zinc and titanium-based and less irritating than some of the chemical filters on the market.”
The Bottom Line
Navigating the world of skincare for rosacea-prone skin can be tricky, but the proper guidance and knowledge of which products are safe and which should be avoided can help you keep rosacea-prone skin under control. That’s especially true of sunscreens. The best sunscreen for rosacea-prone skin is one that takes this easily instigated condition into consideration so that the skin remains calm, soothed, and non-irritated, ultimately leaving you happy and your skin healthy.
Elise Minton Tabin is an award-winning beauty journalist, editor, and beauty expert with more than 16 years of experience. She previously held the title of Executive Beauty Editor at NewBeauty magazine, where she reported on beauty, plastic surgery, anti-aging, health and wellness. She was also instrumental in the launch of the beauty supplement brand Hush & Hush. A self-professed beauty junkie and retinol and sunscreen pusher, Elise knows what’s new, what works and who’s the best to go for every procedure under the sun. Follow Elise on Facebook, Instagram, and on her beauty blog, elisetabin.com
