5 Best Sunscreen for Acne Prone Skin: Staff Favorites

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Summer is here, and we all want glowing skin to go with our favorite summer fashion! But a tan is a sign of UV damage, so protecting your skin from UV radiation matters all year round.

Key Takeaways

• For acne-prone skin, look for sunscreen labeled “non-comedogenic” or “won’t clog pores.”
• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day, and reapply about every two hours outdoors.
• Mineral (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) formulas are often gentler if your skin is also sensitive.
• Our picks include EltaMD UV Clear, ZitSticka MegaShade, Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier, La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin, and Saie Slip Tint.
• Apostrophe’s ’Screen is no longer available after the service shut down in 2025.

That’s why we’re sharing our top picks for the best sunscreen for acne-prone skin. Note that one brand we originally featured, Apostrophe, shut down in 2025, so its sunscreen is no longer sold.

It’s no secret that UV rays can lead to skin cancer, and there’s also good evidence that sunscreen can slow down the skin aging caused by sun exposure. But if you’ve used heavy, greasy sunscreens in the past, you may remember the breakouts, especially if you have oily skin. Finding a sunscreen that won’t clog pores can feel overwhelming, so we’ve rounded up our favorites for acne-prone skin.

Remember that many parts of skincare go hand in hand. A balanced diet and healthy habits support your skin, and staying hydrated is part of overall health, though drinking extra water alone won’t clear acne.

Next comes your skincare routine. Are you following the right steps, and using products suited to your skin type? Sunscreen is usually the last step before you head out the door, so it’s just as important to choose one that works for your skin.

That’s why we’re sharing our staff’s five favorite sunscreens for acne-prone skin. Most of these work well for other skin types too. Look for broad-spectrum protection with SPF 30 or higher, and a label that says “non-comedogenic” or “won’t clog pores.”

Best Sunscreens for Acne-Prone Skin

With Niacinamide: EltaMD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen

Our first pick is a must-try if you have acne-prone skin. This oil-free formula is designed to calm and protect skin prone to acne and rosacea. It combines zinc oxide (9%) and octinoxate (7.5%) with 5% niacinamide, which can help with the look of discoloration.

The lotion goes on smoothly, has a matte finish, and disappears into the skin. Half the battle with sunscreen is avoiding irritation, and that’s where this product shines. It’s on the pricier side, but it’s easy to apply and reapply throughout the day.

Best Serum: ZitSticka MegaShade Sunscreen Serum SPF 50

ZitSticka MegaShade is a versatile sunscreen serum that can be your main SPF or an extra layer. It offers broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection with a hybrid formula that includes zinc oxide.

This formula applies clear, absorbs quickly, preps your skin for makeup, and is labeled non-comedogenic, so it’s less likely to clog pores.

Its lightweight texture makes it ideal for summer and easy to reapply without feeling like you’re wearing layers of product.

Best For Oily Skin: Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier 

This sunscreen is another favorite for oily skin. Murad’s Oil and Pore Control Mattifier has SPF 45 and is labeled suitable for sensitive skin. The brand says it helps calm redness and irritation, control oil, and reduce shine. It also works as a primer, as it blurs the look of pores and helps makeup stay put.

Many people believe oily skin shouldn’t use hydrating products, but that’s not true. This product gives oil-free hydration so your face doesn’t feel stripped or dehydrated.

Dry Touch: La Roche Posay Sunscreen

Looking for a drugstore sunscreen that feels like a more expensive brand? The Anthelios Clear Skin formula by La Roche-Posay is a great option. It isn’t a mineral sunscreen, but it is oxybenzone-free, which matters to some people, since the AAD suggests people with sensitive skin avoid oxybenzone. As a chemical sunscreen that goes on smoothly and disappears, few do it better.

What stands out most is its matte finish. It’s unlikely to leave an oily feeling, but you may want to moisturize first if your skin is dry. Since moisturizer is already part of most routines, it layers comfortably on top without feeling greasy.

Tinted Sunscreen: Saie Slip Tint SPF 35

The Saie Slip Tint is a skin tint (tinted moisturizer) with SPF 35. Saie formulates without a long list of ingredients it considers potentially irritating, and the tint uses mineral sun filters, which can be a good fit for sensitive or acne-prone skin. It includes hyaluronic acid for hydration and leaves a soft glow without getting oily during the day. Since tints are often applied thinly, consider wearing a regular sunscreen underneath.

Apostrophe (No Longer Available)

Update (October 2026): Apostrophe has discontinued this product. Apostrophe was an online skincare service that connected people with board-certified dermatologists for concerns like acne. Its parent company, Hims & Hers, shut down Apostrophe in 2025, so its products are no longer available.

Their ’Screen SPF 43 was a fragrance-free cream that protected against UVA and UVB rays using zinc oxide, octinoxate, and octisalate, with sodium hyaluronate, panthenol, and allantoin to hydrate and soothe the skin.

If you’re dealing with persistent acne, a board-certified dermatologist can recommend treatment and a sunscreen that fits your routine.

To Sum Up

But which of these products is your favorite? Would you call any of these the best sunscreen for acne prone skin, or did we miss any important ones you like? Care to share any of your personal experiences with them? Let us know in the comments below!

You can also find us on Instagram @successiblelife We’ve busily been getting our summer skincare routines together, but we’d also love to see yours! If you want to show off your good looks (with or without these products), just use #SuccessibleBeauty for a chance to be reposted! Other than that, wishing you all an amazing summer, and please remember to take care of your skin, so you can keep that amazing summer glow!

Sources

• American Academy of Dermatology – How do I know if I’m using the right sunscreen?
• American Academy of Dermatology – Sunscreen FAQs
• American Academy of Dermatology – Is sunscreen safe?
• Fierce Healthcare – Hims & Hers shutters Apostrophe in favor of its own tele-dermatology offerings
• Bluemercury – EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46