
We get it—you want to protect your skin from damaging UV rays without inciting a full-on breakout. The best non-comedogenic sunscreen formulas allow you to apply your daily SPF without having to sacrifice your hard-fought, clear skin. “Non-comedogenic just means that a formula doesn’t have ingredients that will clog the pores. This is especially important for people with acne-prone skin. Like any beauty product, sunscreen formulas may contain ingredients that cause pore congestion, so be sure to look for labels such as ‘non-comedogenic’ and ‘oil-free,’” board certified dermatologist Dr. Dara Spearman tells Vogue.
Vogue’s Favorite Non-Comedogenic SPF
In This Story
Enter a new wave of lightweight sunscreens that cater to your specific skin-care concerns, formulated with thoughtful ingredients that work harmoniously with even the most sensitive and acne-prone complexions.
Whether you’re layering under makeup or going bare-faced to the beach, the best non-comedogenic sunscreen formulas prove that sun protection and clear skin no longer have to be mutually exclusive–amd today’s top dermatologists and skin-care aficionados swear by the below 11 SPFs that shield against UVA and UVB damage while keeping pores congestion-free.
Best for Glowy Skin: Kosas DreamBeam Sunlit
- Why We Love It: Silicone-free, hypoallergenic, reef-safe, and cruelty-free, Kosas’s DreamBeam is a safe choice for acne-prone skin. While this formula doesn’t skimp on a glowy finish, you don’t have to fear looking (or feeling) like a full on oil slick. The radiant formula features a subtle sheen and amps skin’s moisture levels with ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptides
- SPF Type: Mineral (zinc oxide 21.7%)
- Broad-Spectrum: Yes
- Finish: Radiant
Best Brightening: Shiseido Urban Environment Vita-Clear Sunscreen
- Why We Love It: Super lightweight and transparent, this Shiseido SPF does more than provide daily sun protection sans white caste—featuring its star ingredient, vitamin C, the formula brightens complexions by combatting hyperpigmentation and dullness. Plus, hyaluronic acid locks in moisture for suppleness.
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, hypotaurine
- SPF Type: Chemical
- SPF Level: 42
- Broad-Spectrum: Yes
- Finish: Radiant
Best for Redness: SkinCeuticals Clear Daily Soothing UV Defense
- Why We Love It: Prone to super red, irritated skin? Look no further than this SPF from SkinCeuticals—while the brand has several sunscreen options, this soothing formula aims to hydrate and calm inflamed complexions. Plus, it blends the best of both worlds with mineral sunscreen with chemical filters. The result? A white cast-free finish with a non-greasy feel.
- Key Ingredients: Palmitoyl tripeptide-8, glycerin, bisabolol, hybrid UV filter blend (7% zinc oxide, 8% homosalate, 5% octisalate, 5% octocrylene)
- SPF Type: Mineral and chemical blend
- SPF Level: SPF 50
- Broad-Spectrum: Yes
- Finish: Matte
Best for Hyperpigmentation: Kiehl’s Auto-Tone Discoloration & UV Solution
- Why We Love It: Both an SPF and a discoloration treatment, Kiehl’s formula features 0.5% melasyl, a patented molecule that helps reduces dark spots by targeting and preventing melanin precursors. In addition to protection from UVA and UVB rays, you’ll notice reduced sun spots, acne spots, and rough texture.
- Key Ingredients: Melasyl, Niacinamide, glycerin, dandelion root extract
- SPF Type: Chemical (avobenzone 3%, homosalate 10%, octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 7%)
- SPF Level: SPF 30
- Broad-Spectrum: Yes
- Finish: Radiant
Best for Dry Skin: Laneige Hydro UV Defense Sunscreen
- Why We Love It: This K-Beauty pick straight from Seoul is the perfect choice for those in need of an extra dose of hydration. A blend of mineral water and glycerin moisturize skin for a supple complexion. Meanwhile, aloe leaf, tocopherol, and centella asiatica help to soothe irritation. Best of all the formula is dermatologist-approved, hypoallergenic, and boasts a super clear finish suitable for all skin tones.
- Key Ingredients: Mineral water, glycerin, centella asiatica, lavender flower oil, aloe leaf extract, tocopherol
- SPF Type: Chemical (Avobenzone 2.5%, homosalate 7%, octisalate 4.5%, octocrylene 9%)
- SPF Level: SPF 50
- Broad-Spectrum: Yes
- Finish: Natural
Best Editor’s Pick: CosRx Ultra Light Invisible Sunscreen
- Why We Love It: My current favorite sunscreen and another K-eauty pick, CosRx’s lightweight sunscreen, checks off all the boxes for me. Aside from leaving absolutely zero white cast behind, the formula features several skin-loving ingredients (think aloe leaf water, niacinamide, witch hazel, and vitamin E). The formula is so lightweight that my skin absorbs it in seconds, all while layering nicely under makeup (bye-bye, pilling!).
- Key Ingredients: Aloe leaf water, niacinamide, witch hazel leaf water, tocopherol, allantoin
- SPF Type: Chemical
- SPF Level: 50
- Broad-Spectrum: Yes
- Finish: Natural
Best Color Correcting: Innisfree Daily UV Defense Mineral Sunscreen
- Why We Love It: Another K-beauty favorite from Innisfree, this mineral sunscreen is soothing, reduces redness, and helps even skin tone thanks to its color-correcting green tint. It also contains hyaluronic acid and cica, so there’s no dryness post-application—instead, it is very hydrating and leaves behind a healthy glow.
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, squalane, centella asiatica, cica
- SPF Type: Mineral (17% zinc oxide)
- SPF Level: SPF 45
- Broad-Spectrum: Yes
- Finish: Satin
Best for On-the-Go: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Balm
- Why We Love It: Mess-free and portable, simply swipe on Glow Recipe’s SPF stick. Inspired by Korean sunscreen innovations, this balm aims to make re-application a breeze. Hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, watermelon extract, and squalane add hydration for a glowy finish. Meanwhile, niacinamide works to reduce hyperpigmentation over time.
- Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, watermelon extract, squalane
- SPF Type: Chemical (Avobenzone 3%, homosalate 5%, octisalate 5%)
- SPF Level: SPF 45
- Broad-Spectrum: Yes
- Finish: Radiant
Best Oil-Free: EltaMD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen
- Why We Love It: You’d be hard-pressed to find a dermatologist who doesn’t rave about this sunscreen. Its lightweight, oil-free formula glides on easily with no white cast, and it helps soothe oily and sensitive skin types prone to acne, rosacea, hyperpigmentation. Plus, it’s a favorite of board certified dermatologist Dr. Dara Spearman: “In addition to blending well with all skin tones, this sunscreen is formulated with 5% niacinamide which helps reduce the appearance of blemishes.” “It’s fragrance-free, paraben-free and non-comedogenic so it’s great for sensitive and acne prone skin. It contains micronized zinc oxide to protect your skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays.”
- Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
- SPF Type: Chemical (9% zinc oxide, 7.5% octinoxate)
- SPF Level: SPF 46
- Broad-Spectrum: Yes
- Finish: Clear and natural finish
Best Color Adjusting: Colorescience Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50
- Why We Love It: Powered by a blend of nourishing antioxidants, this lightweight formula offers superior protection from UVA, UVB, and infrared rays while boosting your skin’s defense against pollution and blue light. What makes this product truly unique compared to other tinted SPF formulas is its innovative technology: the formula starts off as a grey tint, then adjusts to seamlessly match your skin tone for a flawless finish. The skin-loving ingredients, including powerful zinc oxide and niacinamide, ensure your skin stays hydrated and shielded without any greasy residue. It’s the ultimate all-in-one solution for daily defense and natural-looking coverage.
- Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, niacinamide, lipochroman, bisabolol
- SPF Type: Mineral
- SPF Level: SPF 50
- Broad-Spectrum: Yes
- Finish: Luminous
Best Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid Facial Sunscreen
- Why We Love It: One of the industry’s most beloved drugstore and French pharmacy mineral sunscreens, La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios combats broad-spectrum UVA and UVB rays through sensitive skin-friendly titanium dioxide. Antioxidants, silica, vitamin E, and thermal spring water are featured too; plus, it’s another favorite of Dr. Spearman’s. “This oil-free formula helps to reduce shine (thanks to copolymers) and won’t incite any further breakouts,” she explains.
- Key Ingredients: Silica, acrylates copolymer, dimethicone, cassia leaf extract, tocopherol
- SPF Type: Mineral (titanium dioxide 11% )
- SPF Level: SPF 60
- Broad-Spectrum: Yes
- Finish: Matte
Everything You Need To Know
What is a non-comedogenic SPF?
Non-comedogenic simply means a product contains no pore-clogging ingredients—this is a key factor for anyone with acne-prone skin, as ingredients that cause pore congestion can incite further breakouts.
Though, Dr. Spearman explains, the research behind non-comedogenic products aren’t necessarily one size fits all. “Although products may be labeled non-comedogenic, there still could be ingredients that trigger acne in certain individuals. What clogs pores for one person might not affect another,” Dr. Spearman explains. “More research is required on this topic, so if you’re concerned, always reference the ingredient list to check for pore-clogging ingredients.”
For those less knowledgeable about ingredients, INCIDecoder and Sofie Pavitt offer ingredient checkers that help to scan for hidden irritants and pore cloggers.
How To Pick a Non-Comedogenic SPF
When picking a non-comedogenic SPF, Dr. Spearman suggests always avoiding easy-to-spot ingredients. “Coconut oil, mineral oils, and certain alcohols can all cause breakouts by triggering more oil production. In addition, lanolin, petroleum, and beeswax can also be problematic for acne-prone skin,” she explains. While it’s not a hard and fast rule, Dr. Spearman generally prefers mineral-based sunscreens, since zinc and titanium dioxide are acne-safe—though there are plenty of chemical SPF formulas that also boast non-comedogenic formulas.
How to Remove a Non-Comedogenic SPF
A standard cleanser won’t do the trick for removing SPF—whether it’s applied on otherwise bare skin or you wear makeup on top. “I recommend double cleansing to thoroughly remove any SPF from the skin. Start off with an oil-based cleanser or balm to breakdown SPF, and then follow up with a gentle daily cleanser to thoroughly remove any buildup from the day,” says Dr. Spearman. In place of oil cleansers and balms, you can also opt for a micellar water for the first step in your double cleansing routine.
- Dara Spearman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Fort Wayne, Indiana, who specializes in melanoma and skin-cancer care.