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Is sunscreen clogging your pores and upsetting your skin? Don’t panic!
In this blog, I’ll help you find the best sunscreens for clog-prone skin and closed comedones, from viral Korean sunscreens to the most affordable ones and the key benefits based on my own personal, honest review.
I myself am prone to comedonal acne, so I completely empathise with those who are struggling to find a sunscreen that doesn’t cause acne breakouts, because it is upsetting.
Now it’s important to be aware that just because something doesn’t clog my skin, I can’t guarantee it won’t clog yours – that’s just not how skin works. However, I’ve put together my top eight recommendations that will hopefully broaden your knowledge and give you more options to try, in the hope that you’ll be able to find something that works for you.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the best sunscreens for clogged pores and acne-prone skin types.
Best mineral sunscreen for acne prone skin
I get asked this a lot in my comments “Does mineral sunscreen clog pores less? ” and the answer is always – it depends. Whilst it’s true that most mineral sunscreens also contain unofficial chemical filters, I still find my skin likes them better on the whole.
A word of warning: pyscal sunscreens are often made of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which are white in colour. This gives them their infamous white cast, which means that if you have a deeper skin tone, finding one that works for you may be very hard.
1. Best mineral sunscreen for sensitive acne skin
If I had to choose the most unproblematic mineral sunscreen not just for acne prone, but specifically sensitive skin, it’d be this one by Ultra Violette.
I began using the Ultra Violette Clean Screen SPF30 when I developed peri oral dermatitis in 2023. I needed a good sunscreen that would protect me but not upset or trigger the dermatitis around my mouth.
If you haven’t seen my video on how to get rid of perioral dermatitis, it’s a comprehensive one! For this reason, I think this is a great option for a face sunscreen for perioral dermatitis and generally fussy skin. It also doesn’t sting my eyes whatsoever.
The downside for me is that it’s just a bit too matte for my liking. At first it looked glowy and then during the day it’d dry down to more of a matte finish – I suppose this is a good thing for people with oily skin.
It is lightly tinted, which I think is fine if you’re pale, but not at all inclusive if you’re of medium to dark skin tone, unfortunately.
See below a comparison table of the advantages and disadvantages of Ultra Violette Clean Screen:
| ✓ Advantages | ✗ Disadvantages |
| Very minimal ingredients list — unlikely to cause skin irritation | Only SPF30 (not ideal compared to SPF50) |
| Does not trigger breakouts (for most of forehead) | Can cause clogged pores on forehead |
| Offers good sun protection — no tanning or burning | Can lightly pill around corners of face |
| Good choice for a non-pore-clogging tinted sunscreen | Not brilliant for reapplying |
| Works okay under makeup | More matte than glowy finish |
| Takes a knack to apply but once mastered, it’s good | — |
Anecdotally, my friends with rosacea enjoy this sunscreen. I will always keep one at home for times when my skin is unhappy. It is one of my ‘safe’ sunscreens.
Lastly, I will say that this mineral formula also contains butyloctyl salicylate in the ingredient list. It is an SPF booster often used in mineral sunscreens.
It is basically an unregistered chemical filter and it is so common in facial sunscreen products claiming to be 100% mineral. Because it’s not registered, it’s listed in the ‘inactive ingredients’ list.
I’ve found it really hard to find mineral sunscreens without this filter, so I am working on a separate list of mineral sunscreens without butyloctyl salicylate.
2. Best mineral Korean sunscreen
If you’re into Korean or Japanese beauty and are looking for the best sunscreen for the face with mineral filters, I can highly recommend the Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Mineral Relief Daily Sunscreen.
I discovered the brand a while ago and, whilst some of them do contain fragrance and essential oils, they also make fragrance-free versions of all of their products.
This ‘mineral’ formula by Haruharu is such a lovely texture and consistency. Mineral sunscreens can be awful and chalky, but this one feels like a moisturiser. Korean beauty products are amazing because they can be as effective at preventing sun damage as Western formulas, but don’t feel hideous to wear as some US/EU sunscreens do!
I would definitely not describe this sunscreen as greasy, but it is also not super lightweight. Haruharu describe it as a ‘velvet’ finish and I agree with that. It’s like a traditional cream moisturiser that sinks into the skin, though not as much as a gel cream, for example.
I love this SPF because it has some great key ingredients for the skin barrier – and you know I’m a sucker for the skin barrier. She contains heart leaf extract, niacinamide and rice bran oil. Niacinamide is helpful for controlling acne and reducing dark spots left by pimples.
Some notes on this K-beauty sunscreen:
| Key Benefits |
| Minimal white cast (slight white cast for deeper skin tones) |
| Feels like a moisturiser — non-sticky formula |
| Fragrance- and essential oil-free |
| Also available in a chemical-filter version |
| Gives the appearance of healthy skin — not too matte or too glowy |
| Does not sting eyes |
Overall, this is a great Korean sunscreen that doesn’t clog pores (or at least feels unlikely to), that uses mostly mineral filters.
Best chemical sunscreen for face
If you have issues with sunscreen clogging pores, there’s a lot more choice when it comes to chemical sunscreens. With chemical sunscreens it’s also way easier to find one that doesn’t give a ghostly white cast.
If you have a medium-deep skin tone, I highly recommend chemical spf over mineral for this reason. They will also usually be the best sunscreen for under makeup, because mineral formulas often feel like they sit on top of the skin.
These are some of the best sunscreens for the face that don’t settle into fine lines like a mineral formula might.
I have organised them into different categories to hopefully help you find a non comedogenic SPF (for you) that works for your skin.
3. Best Korean sunscreen for oily skin
Lots of my audience are on the look out for a sunscreen for oily acne prone skin. This one is pretty popular, so I imagine you might’ve seen it before. Well, the good news is that I think it’s popular for a reason!
I don’t think this sunscreen is only hyped due to influencers or social media, it is a really lovely formula so it deserves the hype. If excess oil is something you deal with, you can be sure that the Skin1004 Hyalu-cica Water Fit Sun Serum won’t add to it.
It’s loved by so many people with breakout-prone skin, though of course I still recommend patch testing (as with any new product).
I would describe this as a non greasy sunscreen for face that most people will enjoy the texture of. It comes out like a pale cream that very quickly sinks into the skin. As per the name, it is a hydrating formula and just feels like another hydrating step in your skincare routine.
| Key Benefits |
| Fragrance- and essential oil-free (like all sunscreens recommended) |
| Hydrating but sinks in quickly (lighter feel, not as rich/thick) |
| Ideal for oily to combo skin types — no glowy finish |
| Good under makeup |
| No white cast |
| Does not sting eyes |
| Contains hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to brighten and hydrate |
If you’re looking for a Korean sunscreen that doesn’t clog pores for lots of people, this is a good candidate to try out.
4. Best all round acne friendly sunscreen
I’ll take a moment to reiterate that there is no such thing as acne-friendly sunscreen in the sense that we wish there was. I know that when people ask me for ‘acne-friendly’ moisturiser, foundation, etc they’re hoping for a guarantee that I can’t give them – something that 100% won’t cause breakouts or annoying skin-colored bumps.
However as we know, everyone’s different – with different hormones, lifestyles, makeup and skincare products. These variables impact whether a sunscreen will make us break out, so it’s impossible to label something 100% acne friendly sunscreen.
However I think the Purito Soft Touch sunscreen is a great choice if you’re prone to breakouts and closed comedones.
I nearly titled this the best matte sunscreen because it’s supposed to be matte, but lots of people feel it’s more dewy. In my experience, it goes on a little dewy to begin with (which I love), but after a few hours it’s very much matte (which I don’t love as much).
| Key Benefits |
| Does not pill at all |
| Feels nice and moisturising without being heavy |
| Dries down completely in a couple of hours |
| Good choice to use with retinoids |
| Looks good under makeup and doesn’t interfere with makeup products |
| No white cast |
| Does not sting eyes |
Purito is a brand I really love in general. If you’re wondering about the Korean sunscreen scandal and how safe the sunscreens are, I’ll talk about that later on.
I used this sunscreen for around 4-6 weeks before I realised it was causing a couple of random itchy spots. I think this is because my skin is quite sensitive and may even be sensitive to K-beauty filters (something I’ve begun to suspect but haven’t confirmed).
Overall I still recommend it because it’s a lovely formula with a nice finish, and many of my followers have tried it and loved it, so I wouldn’t want you to miss out on it just because my skin is so fussy!
I’m also adding the Youth-Extending Hydrating Fluid SPF 50 into the mix here, because it’s super light and fluid, in case you like that. I would liken it to the texture of the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Fluid.
I currently use this one on my forehead, because it doesn’t break me out or clog my pores, and gives me the subtle dewy finish I like. Unfortunately I can’t use it on my cheek area because it triggers my perioral dermatitis.
5. Best cheap sunscreen for acne prone skin
This sunscreen is probably the closest look and feel to a more traditional sunscreen, it is not as cosmetically elegant as some of the Korean sunscreens for acne prone skin, but it is a great budget sunscreen without a white cast.
The Superdrug B. Protect Defence Sun Cream is usually on offer for two for £14.99 (!!) crazy numbers in today’s world.
Not to mention how nice it is to be able to buy something on the high street (sorry non UK readers).
This is a translucent gel sunscreen that spreads easily over the skin and doesn’t pill. The only drawback I can think of is that it’s ever so slightly sticky, but not ‘classic sticky sunscreen’ vibes. It also does sting my eyes a little bit from time to time, but eye sting is definitely quite personal to each user.
Some other notes on this sunscreen:
| ✓ Advantages | ✗ Disadvantages |
| Looks good under makeup and adds a nice dewy glow | Not ideal for oily skin types |
| Lasts for ages — large bottle size | Might sting eyes |
| Plenty of unsponsored TikTok reviews, especially from creators with medium-deep skin tones | Slightly sticky |
6. Best chemical sunscreen for sensitive skin
Out of all the sunscreens I feature, one that notably gets lots of praise in the comments is the SOS Serum SPF50 Sun Cream. It sounds like quite a few people have tried it and stuck with it 12+ months later, which I always love to see.
SOS Serum is a very underrated and largely unheard-of brand on social media; I also like their cleanser. The best way to shop the brand is on Amazon, directly from the SOS store. I like that their whole range focuses on simplicity and minimal ingredients.
The texture of this is like a moisturiser, and it is neither matte nor dewy. It is overall very comfortable to wear.
I didn’t find that it got oilier throughout the day, but it can occasionally pill and I think that’s due to the silicones in it. Most people get along well with silicones, but I find that they sometimes break me out – specifically on my forehead (yay).
I think this would be a fab SPF for most people, but especially those with rosacea or sensitive skin conditions.
Some notes on this sunscreen:
| ✓ Advantages | ✗ Disadvantages |
| Goes nicely under makeup, especially with silicone-based makeup | Marketed as mineral but contains multiple chemical filters |
| May not require a separate moisturiser (personal choice) | — |
| Great choice for perioral dermatitis | — |
7. Best glowy sunscreen for acne prone skin
One of the best glowy sunscreen for face, particularly skin that is acne prone, is the Sun Bum Face SPF50.
I think this would be loved by people who enjoy a shinier look (like me, ha). I do not think people with oily skin would enjoy this.
The formula feels like a classic western-feeling sunscreen that you might wear to the beach. It provides really high quality, broad-spectrum protection.
Some notes on this sunscreen:
| ✓ Advantages | ✗ Disadvantages |
| Works quite well under makeup (depends on makeup style) | Can definitely sting eyes (workaround: use mineral sunscreen around eyes) |
8. Best new sunscreen for acne prone skin
I recently tested out the new Aveeno Calm & Restore moisturising lotion SPF50 and I love it! It’s definitely a new favourite in this list, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for sunscreen for acne prone skin.
I find this sunscreen a really great all-rounder for anyone wanting a glowy finish. It spreads really nicely, just like a moisturiser, and sinks in easily too.
Some extra notes on this sunscreen for clog prone skin recommendation:
| ✓ Advantages | ✗ Disadvantages |
| No white cast (though user is quite pale, so can’t fully judge for deeper skin tones) | Makes skin tingle sometimes |
| Super comfortable to wear | — |
| Dewy finish all day without being sticky or greasy | — |
| Does not pill at all — zero pilling | — |
| A little moisturising — balanced, not too much or too little | — |
| Does not set off perioral dermatitis | — |
I did a full Aveeno Calm & Restore moisturising lotion review on TikTok.
Best sunscreen for perioral dermatitis
If you’re dealing with perioral dermatitis – first of all, I’m so sorry because I know how frustrating it is! I recommend checking out my video and also my podcast episode. The video is about getting back to a routine after perioral dermatitis.
The podcast is a much deeper dive into ALL your options for tackling it. Out of the sunscreens on the list, I would recommend the SOS Serum SPF and the Ultra Violette.
This isn’t to say the others won’t agree with you, but IMO the best sunscreen for perioral dermatitis options are these. Either way, you definitely want to avoid fragrance and essential oils in any SPF you choose.
It can also be a good idea to go for mineral sunscreens with either a zinc oxide or titanium dioxide base.
Is there a BEST sunscreen for closed comedones?
If you’ve got this far and you’re still wondering what is the best non-comedogenic sunscreen, I will reiterate the unfortunate truth: there is no such thing as a guaranteed sunscreen that doesn’t clog pores. Some formulas are made without ‘pore clogging ingredients’, but they still can clog pores.
Even if you search for the best oil free sunscreen, there’s no guarantee. We all react to different ingredients differently. If we didn’t, acne cosmetica wouldn’t really exist because it’d be easy to avoid.
SPF products are just so hit and miss, so choosing from this low risk list is a good option. But anyone saying they have the ‘best non-comedogenic sunscreens’ most likely don’t understand the flaw in the term ‘non comedogenic’.
Brands only label stuff non comedogenic because it’s an unregulated term – they can put it on anything they want.
How to pick a non comedogenic sunscreen
Even if you use a skincare ingredient checker website like Acne Clinic NYC or INCIdecoder, you won’t be able to avoid breaking out entirely. That’s why I always recommend patch testing – check out my guide on how to patch test new skincare products.
Check out my full blog post on ‘What If My Product Contains Pore Clogging Ingredients?’ as it isn’t as straightforward as you think.
I like to choose ‘low risk’ sunscreens based on a combination of aggregating reviews from people with similar skin, less clogging ingredients which are present in lower quantities and a minimal formula overall.
When you’re looking for a sunscreen, just make sure to pick one that offers broad spectrum protection – both UVA and UVB. A sunscreen that only offers UVB protection can leave your skin feeling good, but you won’t get the long term benefits with regards to hyperpigmentation and ageing.
What about the Korean sunscreen scandal?
What if you’ve found the perfect sunscreen that doesn’t cause breakouts, but it’s Korean or Japanese? Some people are still concerned about the Korean sunscreen scandal that happened a few years ago.
In summary, a few sunscreens were tested by a third party and only gave SPF 19 instead of the 50 they were advertised at. This led to a lot of distrust by consumers for brands like Purito.
It can be restrictive when looking for the best SPF for closed comedones but avoiding all Asian sunscreens. Long story short, it was discovered that the SPF testing facilities were at fault, not the brands.
The brands had (rightfully) trusted the testing facilities, and the same facilities had effectively screwed over multiple brands. Now, most K and J beauty brands do multiple rounds of testing, to avoid this same issue.
As you can imagine, their reputation took a hit, so they are now very cautious. Personally I think they’re safe and reliable to trust.
Should you wear moisturiser under sunscreen?
Do you need to wear moisturizer under sunscreen? This is a totally personal choice. No, you don’t need to, but it’s also not a problem if you do.
I personally prefer to wear both, but if your sunscreen is quite heavy then you also don’t have to. There are no hard and fast rules.
Sunscreen or moisturiser first?
This one is a hard-and-fast rule. Always wear your sunscreen last in your skincare routine, unless you’re wearing makeup over the top of it.
This is because the sunscreen forms a protective layer over your skin, and adding more products can disrupt the protection. When you wear makeup, however, you almost need to accept there’ll be a little less protection.
You can use a spray SPF to top up with throughout the day, but you won’t be fully protected because spray and mist sunscreens are highly ineffective. This is because you’d need to apply half the can to get the SPF on the bottle! This is why you should always seek shade and wear protective clothing for optimal skin health and protection from harmful UV rays.
Still need help choosing sunscreens for your skin?
Discover more about sunscreen for acne-prone skin with my blog ‘Best sunscreen for acne-prone skin: lightweight daily protection‘ for more help and advice.
You may also like:
- The best moisturisers for clog prone skin
- The best barrier serums and barrier creams for clog prone skin
- The Best Oil Cleansers for Acne Prone Skin
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