Sunscreen For Sensitive Skin: Our Guide to Keeping Your Skin Safe And Soothed

Lady in straw sunhat and orange bikini at the beach

With sunny days finally gracing us, you might be finding it difficult to find a suitable sunscreen to protect your sensitive skin without causing a reaction, skin flareup, or breakout. With so many sunscreens on the market containing harsh chemicals and fragrances that can trigger a reaction, it can be hard to find one that works with your skin, soothing irritation while keeping your skin safe and shielded throughout these warmer months.

With this in mind, we’re sharing some of our favourite sensitive skin-friendly sunscreens, including what we think is the best SPF for sensitive skin and the best sunscreen for face, leaving your skin calm, soothed and perfectly protected.

Sunscreen Advice For Sensitive Skin

Looking for the right SPF for your skin type can be incredibly tricky, but we’re sharing some of the best things to look out for when investing in a new sunscreen to ensure your skin stays glowy and sun-kissed without fear of a skin flareup.

Lady sunbathing on the beach
  • The first thing you need to look out for is that your sunscreen is gentle and fragrance-free. Harsh chemicals and fragrances can be irritating on sensitive skin, exacerbating any underlying sensitivity and triggering breakouts.
  • Another thing to keep in mind is what type of sunscreen you’re using. Typically there are two types, mineral and chemical, chemical-based SPFs can be harsh on sensitive skin, so in an ideal world, you should aim for a mineral-based SPF. Often containing titanium dioxide or zinc dioxide, these skin-soothing sunscreens are gentle and effective.
  • Sunscreens enriched with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and aloe vera are also great to look out for. Nourishing and hydrating they soothe and moisturise your skin, preventing it from drying out.
  • The final thing to look for in a sensitive skin sunscreen is that it’s non-comedogenic or oil-free. Lightweight and effective, these formulas prevent clogged pores, minimising breakouts to keep your skin spot-free, calm, and radiant.

Armed with all this information, we’ve rounded up some of the best sensitive skin sunscreens, from SPF sprays to facial sunsticks to keep you safe and soothed in the sun. Let’s delve in and find out more.

lady in black and white bikini sunbathing at the beach

Best Sunscreen For Sensitive Skin

Beauty of Joseon Rice Sunscreen With Rice Water & Prebiotic Complex SPF50+

Enriched with 30% rice extract, vitamins E, C, and B, amino acids, and minerals, this lightweight, organic sunscreen is gentle and effective. Absorbing quickly without leaving any white cast, this high-protection SPF shields sensitive skin from the sun, deeply hydrating, nourishing, and boosting your skin, leaving it healthy and glowing.

Heliocare 360 A-R Emulsion

Specifically formulated for sensitive and redness-prone skin, this Heliocare SPF is infused with an innovative anti-redness system, physavie, rosabora, and glutathione that soothe and prevent redness, restoring your skin barrier while nourishing and shielding your skin.

Alcohol-free, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic, this silky SPF also contains pigment to even your complexion and blur imperfections, leaving your skin smooth, balanced, and protected, with its SPF50+ formula.

tanned hans with blue nail polish applying lotion to legs

Ultrasun Face SPF50+

Lightweight and high-protecting this sensitive skin-friendly sunscreen reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improving cellular renewal to plump and rejuvenate your skin.

Boosting skin hydration and reducing uneven skin tone and pigmentation, this antioxidant-enriched SPF defends against free radical damage, reducing the visibility of the early signs of ageing to leave your skin smooth and youthful.

COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50 PA+++

Infused with aloe arborescence leaf extract, this soothing daily sunblock absorbs quickly into sensitive skin, the lightweight formula protecting without grease or residue.

Ultra-hydrating, this moisturising sunscreen is perfect for soothing and protecting sensitive skin, the aloe-rich formula calming any irritation on your face.

lady applying sunscreen to her legs at the beach

Avène Very High Protection Spray SPF50+ Sun Cream For Sensitive Skin

Defending against UVA and UVB rays as well as free radicals, this eco-friendly sunscreen soothes and comforts your skin, the anti-drying formula hydrating and nourishing your skin for up to six hours.

Designed specifically for sensitive skin, this antioxidant provitamin E and Avène thermal spring water-enriched formula defends, softens, and soothes your skin, shielding the most sensitive skin in intense sunlight.

Easy to apply in a handy spray bottle, this sensitive skin-specific sunscreen is perfect for popping in your bag for on-the-go top-ups, protecting those out-of-reach places, especially when your hands are sandy

Thank You Farmer Sun Project Silky Calming Sun Stick SPF50+ PA++++

Quick and easy to apply, this convenient, on-the-go sun stick from Thank You Farmer soothes sensitive skin, the calamine and centella asiatica extract-infused formula reducing skin inflammation to calm irritated, redness-prone, or blemish-prone skin.

Water-resistant and non-greasy, this portable SPF slots easily into your bag or pocket, defending against UVA and UVB rays while you frolic in the sun.

Shop our full collection of the best rated sunscreen for face protection here. 

Shop Sensitve Skin Sunscreens

Heliocare 360 A-R EmulsionHeliocare 360 A-R Emulsion
Heliocare 360 A-R Emulsion

£29.99 £33.00 9% offsaving
White Ultrasun Face SPF 50+ 50ml with white boxUltrasun Face SPF 50+ 50ml
Ultrasun Face SPF 50+ 50ml

A lightweight sunscreen that not only protects against UVA/UVB rays but also reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and uneven skin tone.

£26.00
COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50 PA+++COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50 PA+++
COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50 PA+++

Formulated with Aloe Leaf, this soothing sun cream is lightweight, ultra-hydrating and quickly absorbs into the skin without any grease or residue.

£13.29 £22.00 40% offsaving
Dermatologist Recommended
Avène Intense Protect 50+ Sun Cream for Very Sensitive Skin 150mlAvène Intense Protect 50+ Sun Cream for Very Sensitive Skin 150ml

Enjoyed discovering our sensitive skin soothing saviours? Discover more about calming your complexion in our educational blog post: 5 Stressed Skin Solutions To Soothe And Restore Your Complexion.


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