Logically, I know I need to wear sunscreen every single day, rain or shine. But a need and a want are very different things, and for years, I absolutely dreaded applying facial SPF. I have the world’s most sensitive skin, and wearing sunscreen daily was historically a recipe for breakouts, bumps, and irritation. It wasn’t until recently—say the past three years—that I’ve found formulas I genuinely look forward to applying.
I try to stick to active ingredients like zinc, titanium, or titanium dioxide rather than chemical filters. “It’s best to use mineral-based sunscreens with Zinc or Titanium if you have sensitive skin or rosacea,” board-certified dermatologist Azideh Shirazi, MD, previously told me. But there are a few chemical SPF exceptions that my skin and I have both fallen in love with.
