The importance of wearing sunscreen is well-documented; it prevents sunburn, long-term skin damage, pigmentation, and reduces the risk of skin cancers.
However, despite there being thousands of suncreams on the market, finding the right one can be a time-consuming endeavour, and particularly difficult if you have acne-prone skin. For those who experience regular breakouts, inflammation and redness, a thick, greasy sunscreen can only make things worse and lead to more breakouts.
If you’re unsure where to start, Dr Anjali Mahto, a consultant dermatologist and founder of the Harley Street clinic, Self London, advises looking for the phrase ‘non-comedogenic’ on the bottle. “This means the product has been tested not to block pores - matte-finish sunscreens are also excellent as they often contain ingredients like silica to absorb excess sebum throughout the day,” she says.
Similarly, consultant dermatologist Dr Derek Philips advises his acne-prone patients to avoid dense, heavy textures. “Instead, opt for lightweight, non-comedogenic formulations that support the barrier without overwhelming it,” he explains.
In a bid to find the formulas that are worth your money, I’ve spent weeks testing as many as possible to find the top-performing products that provide high SPF protection against UVA and UVB rays (also known as broad spectrum protection), layer well beneath make-up and don’t disrupt an often carefully constructed acne-friendly skincare routine.
As acne-prone skin often comes hand in hand with excessive oil production, keeping shine at bay throughout the day can also be a priority, so I made sure to test a range of skin finishes, spanning matte, satin, and luminous. These are the standout sunscreens that made the cut.
Read more: Best skincare routine for acne, recommended by experts
The best sunscreens for acne-prone skin 2026 are:
- Best overall – Allies of Skin the one SPF 50 invisible sunscreen gel: £27, Cultbeauty.co.uk
- Best budget buy – E45 sensitive face cream SPF50: £12.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best for redness – Heliocare 360° A-R emulsion SPF50+: £28, Amazon.co.uk
- Best for treating acne – Vichy capital soleil UV-clear daily sun protection SPF50+: £22.50, Boots.com
- Best for dehydrated skin – Tatcha the milky sunscreen SPF50: £49, Spacenk.com
How I tested
I tried and tested a selection of sunscreens, with different consistencies, over a few weeks. The texture of the sunscreens was considered, along with how well they worked for my acne-prone skin. I looked for factors like absorption, finish, comfort and wear, what they offered beyond UV protection and cost. You can read more about my in-depth testing process at the end of this guide.
Read more: Best moisturisers for oily skin, tried and tested by an expert
Allies of Skin the one SPF 50 invisible sunscreen gel
Best: sunscreen for acne-prone skin overall
Size: 20ml/50ml
Type: Clear gel
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, green tea, licorice root extract
Why we love it
- Invisible and leaves no white cast
- Doubles up as a makeup primer
- Reduces shine
Take note
- Expensive
Unlike traditional sunscreens, this one is a transparent gel, so there’s minimal rubbing in and never a white cast to contend with. It has a velvety finish that makes a significant reduction to a shiny T-zone – something I’m constantly trying to avoid when wearing make-up, but I also think it extends the wear of my make-up, too, doubling as a primer.
It has a matte finish but doesn’t leave behind a chalky, flat complexion, nor does it cling to dry patches of skin. It also has the added bonus of a slight blurring finish, especially on the larger pores dotted across my nose and cheeks. If you have the budget, it’s a beautiful sunscreen worth every penny.
Buy now £27, Cultbeauty.co.uk
E45 sensitive face cream SPF50
Best: budget sunscreen for acne-prone skin
Size: 50ml
Product type: Cream
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E
Why we love it
- Fast-absorbing
- Lightweight
- Afforable
Take note
- It doesn’t provide a matte finish
While this is directed towards those with dry skin, I’ve been loyal to this sunscreen for more than a year, using it on my oily combination skin that’s both acne-prone and prone to mild rosacea. It’s the ultimate fuss-free formula; fast-absorbing, affordable, with a lightweight texture akin to a moisturiser. It doesn’t leave your skin super glowy or extremely matte, but strikes a middle ground.
My skin is often dehydrated, and I find the hyaluronic acid and vitamin E formula helps improve that, while also tackling dryness that I sometimes see from acne treatments, such as chemical peels. It leaves my complexion smooth and ready for make-up, and is easy to reapply. The tube is compact, yet it contains the same amount of product as the rest of the options in this list, and fits into a carry-on bag easily – it’s my top pick for travelling to a hot country.
Buy now £10.39, Amazon.co.uk
Heliocare 360° A-R emulsion SPF50+
Best: sunscreen for redness
Size: 50ml
Product type: Tinted lotion
Key ingredients: Green tea, vitamin C, Fernblock Antioxidant Technology
Why we love it
- Evens skin tone
- Lightly conceals redness
- Gives skin a radiant glow
Take note
- Can be messy if not applied with a brush
Heliocare’s original oil-free formula is a popular choice for acne-prone skin, thanks to its matte finish, but its anti-redness formula is my go-to. It’s a tinted sunscreen that I also use as my foundation in the summer, and no matter how much I apply, it doesn’t leave my skin looking cakey or wet. I reach for this when I have a bad bout of breakouts covering my chin and jawline in sore, red patches, and need a product that can even out my skin tone, add luminosity, reduce redness, and protect against UV rays all at once.
For an even application, I would recommend rubbing it into your skin with your hands first, then buffing it into your hairline, around your eyebrows and eye with a foundation brush for a smoother finish. Just make sure to wash your hands immediately afterwards to avoid staining your clothes.
Buy now £28, Amazon.co.uk
Vichy capital soleil UV-clear daily sun protection SPF50+
Best: sunscreen for treating acne
Size: 50ml
Product type: Cream
Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, niacinamide
Why we love it
- Fast-absorbing
- Smooth texture
Take note
- Slightly scented
This cream has a lightweight, fluid consistency that enables it to absorb quickly and leave behind a luminous but not dewy finish. The formula is made with salicylic acid and niacinamide (both work together to unclog pores and prevent future breakouts) to treat your acne while providing UVA and UVB protection.
It doesn’t leave behind a white cast and is a robust, reliable option if you like the visibility of a white cream to see exactly where you’ve applied it and where you might have missed.
Buy now £22.5, Boots.com
Tatcha the milky sunscreen SPF50
Best: sunscreen for dehydrated skin
Size: 15/ 50ml
Product type: Milky lotion
Key ingredients: Encapsulated ectoin, Okinawa alo
Why we love it
- Lightweight texture
- No stickiness
- Hydrating enough to use instead of moisturiser in hotter months
Take note
- Expensive
If you love the texture of milky toners and essences, you’ll love Tatcha’s newest sunscreen. It has a fluid, milky lotion texture that isn’t sticky or greasy. If your skin is prone to irritation when you have acne, the aloe in this formula helps calm it.
Acne-prone skin can still become dehydrated, and this lightweight option worked really well when my skin needed an extra layer of hydration – when summer arrives, I’ll be reaching for this instead of a moisturiser. It has a beautiful texture and a radiant finish, so if you have oily skin and want to avoid any wet-looking dewiness, this strikes the right balance between the two.
Buy now £49, Spacenk.com
Raeso sun milk drops tinted SPF50
Best: tinted sunscreen for acne-prone skin
Size: 45ml
Product type: Tinted SPF
Key ingredients: Niacinamide
Why we love it
- Evens out skin tone
- Reduces redness
- Beautiful packagin
Take note
- Very expensive
- Unsure how well it’d blend into darker skin tones
New Zealand skincare brand Raeso is an indie brand worth knowing about. While its unique pebble-vessel packaging caught my eye, what’s inside is one of the best tinted sunscreens I’ve ever tried. Most tinted sunscreens provide a bit of coverage with a couple of pumps, but to use the recommended amount (1/4 teaspoon) for adequate UV protection leaves you looking like a cakey mess.
This wasn’t the case with this – it’s ideal if you want to make your sunscreen go further and be a sheer coverage base for make-up. I loved how it evened out my skin tone, reduced the redness around my breakouts and rosacea, and left me with a healthy-looking glow. One downside is the expensive price tag, which puts it out of budget for most. If you can afford it and have pale skin like mine, it’s a worthwhile investment.
Buy now £85, Libertylondon.com
La Roche-Posay anthelios 400 Oil control fluide
Best: sunscreen for oily skin
Size: 50ml
Product type: Fluid lotion
Key ingredients: Airlicium, La Roche-Posay thermal spring water
Why we love it
- Thin, lightweight texture
Take note
- Very matte finish
This is a reliable option if you want a sunscreen that rubs in within seconds and minimises oil production throughout the day. It has a streamlined, slim packaging that fits in the smallest of handbags and layers well beneath makeup.
The matte finish keeps shine at bay, without leaving oily combination skin types feeling tight, and is a failsafe option for sensitive skin, as it doesn’t exacerbate existing breakouts. It doesn’t leave hands covered in a sticky residue either.
Buy now £17.6, Lookfantastic.com
Rationale #3 the brilliance tinted serum SPF50+
Best: SPF serum for acne-prone skin
Size: 15/30ml
Product type: Tinted serum
Key ingredients: Iron oxides, zinc fusion technology
Why we love it
- Super thin texture that absorbs quickly
- Delivers a luminous, healthy glow
- Doubles up as a complexion product
Take note
- Very expensive and only comes in one shade
Australian skincare brand Rationale’s tinted serum SPF50 is a luxurious formula with an equally luxurious price tag. It’s eye-wateringly expensive and contains just 30ml of product, compared to most of the 50ml suncreams on this list, but if you can afford it, it has the most beautiful texture.
It’s so thin, it’s almost watery in texture, with just enough of a tint to leave my skin looking better than without. I reached for this when my breakouts left me feeling self-conscious, but layering on too much make-up only ever makes it worse. It’s an indulgent treat if you have the budget and are keen to steer clear of thick, heavy creams.
Buy now £135, Harrods.com
Dr Sam’s flawless daily sunscreen SPF50
Best: sunscreenfor textured skin
Size: 50ml
Product type: Cream
Key ingredients: Niacinamide, octinoxate
Why we love it
- Smooths textured skin
- Satin-like finish
- Fast-absorbing
Take note
- On the pricer side
This creamy sunscreen ticks every box; fast-absorbing, satin finish that smooths over texture – especially areas with acne scarring. It’s the perfect mix of moisturising and hydrating, without any greasiness or sticky residue.
While it appears thicker than the other fluid formulas on our list, it blends out clearly within 30 seconds and leaves my skin smoother and softer, with a silky, satin finish. My only tip is to wait 10 minutes before applying your makeup, as it can leave a temporary tacky finish.
Buy now £31, Spacenk.com
Your questions about sunscreen for acne-prone skin answered
What is the best sunscreen for acne-prone skin?
My top-rated SPF for acne-prone skin is the Allies of Skin the one SPF 50 invisible sunscreen gel. It has a matte, velvety-soft finish that absorbs excess oil and doubles as a make-up primer. As it’s a clear gel, it doesn’t leave any white cast or streaks, and is very fast-absorbing. It works across all skin tones and doesn’t leave a greasy, sticky or tacky residue. You can apply make-up straight away, without any pilling, too.
What sunscreen formats work well on acne-prone skin?
According to Dr Mahto, who experiences acne herself, texture is everything. Her recommendation is to prioritise lightweight fluids, gels or water-based lotions rather than traditionally thick creams. “This is because these types of formulations are designed to absorb quickly without leaving a heavy, greasy residue,” she says.
Are there any ingredients or product formats worth avoiding for acne-prone skin?
Dr Phillips notes that it’s important not to demonise single ingredients when searching for an acne-safe sunscreen; instead, focus on avoiding formulations that are overly heavy or occlusive.
“Very rich, emollient creams with high levels of certain oils or waxes can sometimes exacerbate congestion, particularly in people with oily skin,” he says, adding, “thick, greasy textures that sit on the surface of the skin may contribute to blocked pores in those who are already breakout-prone”.
He also advises exercising caution with highly fragranced products and those with high alcohol content, as these can increase irritation. “This irritation can provoke breakouts or trigger dermatitis, and it may disrupt the skin barrier, increase inflammation and make existing acne harder to control.”
How I tested sunscreens for acne-prone skin
During testing, I considered the following criteria:
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Louise Whitbread has spent years working in the beauty industry and has tested countless skincare products and solutions. From an expert-led feature on minimising acne scarring to my pick of the best body scrubs, she knows what to look for when it comes to finding skin solutions that actually work.
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