6 of the best sunscreens for combination skin to balance multiple needs (2023)

FAQs

What are the best sunscreen for combination skin? ›

Consider a mineral-based sunscreen

If you are concerned about health effects, the safest choice is a so-called “mineral” or “physical” sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, dermatologists say. Those are the only sunscreen ingredients that the FDA says are “generally recognized as safe and effective.”

People with combination skin types typically do better with oil-free, non-comedogenic and lightweight formulas such as this gel-cream variant. The fact that this sunscreen doesn't contain any chemical filters gives it an advantage of preventing future acne breakouts too.

Gel based sunscreen for combination skin is a blessing! Gel based sunscreen for combination skin have a lightweight and non-greasy texture that absorbs quickly into the skin, making them ideal for daily use. They do not leave a white cast or clog pores, which can be a concern for those with oily or acne-prone skin.

Avoid shine on your face by opting for La Roche-Posay's Anthelios XL Anti-Shine SPF 50+ dry-touch gel-cream, which comes in tinted, non-tinted and fragranced versions.

For day-to-day use, pick a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. If you spend time outdoors, choose a product with SPF 60 or greater. In reality, most people do not use as much sunscreen as they should, and this higher SPF helps compensate for the reduced application.

Recommended by both the Skin Cancer Foundation and National Eczema Association as an effective, broad spectrum sunscreen. Received the Skin Cancer Foundation's 'Daily Use' Seal of Recommendation.

Is vitamin C and sunscreen a good combination? ›

“Studies have shown that using sunscreen with Vitamin C protects the skin from further photo damage caused by ultra-violet rays,” Chang said. “This information is important because most people don't know that you can protect your skin even further than just sunscreen.”

Typically, the combination skin type is characterized by dry, flaking skin on the cheeks, while excessive oil and shine appears on other areas of the face. Those with combination skin are in a constant battle with their T-Zone, which includes the forehead, nose, and chin.

Not only do many Neutrogena sunscreens contain harmful chemicals like oxybenzone and methylisothiazolinone – we'll get to those later – but their advertised SPF levels of over 70 have been debunked by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. According to the federal department, SPF levels max out at about 50.

You don't have to put on moisturizer before sunscreen, however, you really should if you care about the over health of your skin and keeping signs of aging at bay. If you are going to use both moisturizer and sunscreen in your skincare routine, putting it on before your mineral sunscreen is best.

Skin type: all skin types, including sensitive skin; Main benefits: protects the skin from sun and pollutants exposure, helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and dark spots at the same time, helps to hydrate and plump the skin, prevents photo-aging, non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic; Formulated without: alcohol.

La Roche-Posay offers skincare for normal & combination facial skin to keep an ideal balance between oil and hydration levels without clogging pores. Explore our best cleansers, moisturizers, eye creams and sunscreens formulated for normal & combination skin.

Physical sunscreens (also known as mineral sunscreen), like the Anthelios XL Anti-Shine Dry Touch Facial Sunscreen SPF 50+ create a barrier between you and UV rays by sitting on top of your skin. So, they need to be applied as the last step in your skincare routine, after moisturiser.

Do you need two moisturizers for combination skin? ›

So the best way to deal with the two different skin types in a combination skin is using two separate moisturizers. Look for barrier-repair moisturizers as they repair the broken skin barrier and lock-in moisture, keeping your skin hydrated and preventing the overproduction of sebum.

As a rule of thumb, you should apply sunscreen as the final step in your skin care routine. Since products with SPF are specifically formulated with certain protective ingredients, layering one on after your moisturizer will help block out any harsh rays. So, in other words, SPF goes on after moisturizer.

SPF 50 is especially beneficial for oily skin. A truly must-have product to keep the skin hydrated yet with a powerful oil-control formula for a matte skin finish.

Cetaphil brand comes highly recommended by dermatologists the world over, for its high performance and suitability for most skin types. CHOSEN store carries two variants of Cetaphil sunscreens – the Cetaphil Light Gel and the Cetaphil Sun kids – both at 30 SPF protection.

Not only is protecting your skin from the sun key to helping to fade post-acne marks, but it's also one of the best ways to save your skin from signs of premature aging, like fine lines and wrinkles, rough texture, dark spots—oh, and skin cancer, of course!

You should not use CeraVe SA Renewing if you are allergic to it. Using this medicine in a child or teenager with flu symptoms or chickenpox can cause a serious or fatal condition called Reye's syndrome.

For the ultimate hybrid sunscreen option, we recommend CeraVe Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen SPF 30 for Face & Body. Developed with dermatologists, our first-ever hybrid formula with SPF 30 combines mineral (zinc oxide) and chemical sun filters to help effectively reflect and absorb the sun's damaging rays.

Is CeraVe good for your face? Yes! Its namesake ceramides are an essential ingredient for repairing compromised skin barriers, notes Dr. Li.

What should you never mix with vitamin C? ›

Vitamin C is effectively an acid (it's sometimes known as ascorbic acid), so layering it with AHAs and BHAs like glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids is a big no-no.

"I usually recommend applying vitamin C serum in the morning under moisturizer and sunscreen, as it can then work to combat exposure to free radicals and ultraviolet light throughout the day," advises Dr.

Why Is Vitamin C So Important For Skin Protection? Studies have shown that using an antioxidant vitamin C serum prior to sunscreen can optimize your SPF, addressing damage from the sun and pollutants by neutralizing free radicals before exposure.

Avoid products with excessive fragrance or other irritants

Any product that includes harsh ingredients like fragrance or alcohol can irritate both dry and oily skin. Dry areas may become drier, while oily parts may produce more oil, potentially leading to breakouts.

When talking about combination skin, it means we have at least two different types of facial skin and may need to adjust our skincare habits accordingly. The main variations of combination skin are typically: Either oily or normal skin around the T-Zone area of the face. This includes the nose, forehead and chin.

Best overall sunscreen

Yadav and Harth both recommend Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch because of its lightweight, mattifying feel that won't clog your pores. In addition to a liquid version, it also comes in a stick and spray-on format, which Sapna Palep, founder of Spring Street Dermatology, prefers.

Daily exposure to benzene in these sunscreen products at the levels detected in internal testing would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences. Out of an abundance of caution, we are recalling all lots of these specific sunscreen aerosol products.

Sunscreen lawsuits are legal claims against sunscreen manufacturers including Johnson & Johnson, Neutrogena, Aveeno and others for making products that contain the toxic chemical benzene. Exposure to high levels of benzene may cause leukemia and other cancers in humans.

You will often find SPF 15 in makeup and skin care products. However, in sunscreens, the industry standard, and the SPF recommended by Dermatologists is generally SPF 30 and above. A sunscreen with SPF 30 will protect you from around 96.7% of UVB rays, whereas an SPF of 50 means protection from about 98% of UVB rays.

SPF30 versus SPF50

The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of a sunscreen is a measure of how well it protects the skin from sunburn. SPF30 sunscreen admits 1/30th of the ambient UV (ultraviolet) radiation, SPF50 admits 1/50th and so on.

Can I use SPF 50 everyday? ›

Sunscreen helps in even the skin tone of the face. It is common to have an uneven skin tone. So if you want spotless skin, then use sunscreen daily. If you are using low SPF, leave that and shift to 50 SPF, ideal for the human skin.

Experts say sunscreens with an SPF higher than 50 aren't worth buying. They only offer marginally better protection. They might also encourage you to stay out in the sun longer. Instead, choose an SPF between 15 and 50, apply liberally, and reapply often.

Dr. Berson: An SPF 50 offers a high level of protection and is best for those with a history of skin cancer or those that are fair skinned or at higher risk for skin cancer. An SPF 15 covers 93% of UVB rays and an SPF 30 covers 97% of UVB rays.

According to Yale Medicine, one way to prevent wrinkles and other symptoms of photoaging—when your skin prematurely ages due to increased sun exposure—is to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.

"But suffice it to say that if you mix sunscreen, the maximum SPF you'll get is the higher of the two you started with," she said. "And you'll likely end up diluting it instead." In fact, if the two sunscreens use different active ingredients to protect you from the sun, they could end up compromising one another.

So, what's the verdict? Avoid mixing your sunscreens if possible, especially if those products contain chemical ingredients. It's the only way to ensure you're maintaining the careful chemical balance inside each bottle and getting the level of protection that the manufacturer promises.

What SPF is best for dark skin? The dermatologists we consulted recommend a minimum of SPF 30 — as does the American Academy of Dermatology. However, Henry recommends you apply SPF 50 if you're outside for more than an hour.

If you're using a chemical sunscreen, it needs to be applied first. This is because chemical sunscreen needs to penetrate the skin in order to provide protection. However, if you're using a physical sunscreen (also known as mineral sunscreen), sunscreen should be applied after moisturizer.

Physical sunscreen should be applied after your moisturiser as it merely sits on the surface of your skin. And you can step out immediately after application. A cosmetic product that prevents dryness in the skin. Sunscreen is another skincare product that protects the skin from the harmful rays of the sun.

Yes, you can skip moisturizer and use sunscreen. Sunscreens are simply moisturizers that chemists have added UV filters to for additional sun protection. They still provide moisturizing benefits just like a regular moisturizer.