From sensitive skin to eczema, rosacea and acne: what is the best SPF to use for YOUR skin problem?

By Liam On Jun 27, 2023

Now that we’re in full swing this summer, we want to look and feel our best.

Sunscreen is a big part of that, of course, preventing sunburn on sunny days, and SPF can also help prevent wrinkles and dull skin tones and, most importantly, protect against skin cancer.

But skincare concerns can derail any positivity you might be feeling leading up to your big warm-weather plans, and unfortunately, your efforts to protect your skin with sunscreen can be both a hindrance and a help.

Certain creams can exacerbate problems such as acne, eczema or sensitive skin.

So choosing the right SPF for you can be tricky, here’s Dr Maham Khan, a dermatologist consultant at London’s Cadogan Clinic, pick her best buys.

We all want to be in the sun in the summer, but if our skin isn’t at its best, we might be more inclined to stay away

Certain SPF creams can exacerbate problems such as acne, eczema or sensitive skin

Choosing the right SPF can be difficult, so here are some recommendations based on your skin

Acne

TOP CHOICE : Skinceuticals Oil Shield UV Defense Sunscreen SPF50, £42.75 for 30ml, dermacaredirect.co.uk

Acne is caused by an overproduction of sebum (oil) which can clog pores, trap bacteria and lead to inflammation and breakouts. Some sunscreens contain an oil that is comedogenic – it clogs pores.

This can be especially problematic with waterproof SPF creams, or creams that contain ingredients that prevent sweat from escaping from your pores, such as cocoa butter, beeswax, and coconut oil.

This lotion is oil-free and non-comedogenic – and offers a high SPF. It also contains silica silicate, a mineral that absorbs sebum on the surface of the skin.

Skinceuticals Oil Shield UV Defense Sunscreen SPF50 (pictured), £42.75 for 30ml, dermacaredirect.co.uk

Eczema

TOP CHOICE : La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMUNE 400 SPF50, £19.90 for 50ml, boots.com

Eczema affects about one in 12 adults and causes itchy and inflamed skin. Some find that sunlight or sunscreens that contain fragrance make it worse.

This is because they often cause allergic reactions, so look for products that are fragrance-free and hypoallergenic.

It may be worth seeing an allergist and having a blood test if you suspect you are suffering from the use of fragranced creams to confirm your suspicions.

In addition to high sun protection, it contains thermal spring water rich in natural minerals; maker studies suggest this helps soothe itchy, inflamed skin.

What does SPF mean and why is it important?

A cream’s SPF rating indicates the number by which you can multiply your skin’s natural resistance to reddening in the sun.

So if you were to get red after ten minutes without any protection, applying an SPF30 means you won’t get red for 300 minutes.

If you blush after 20 minutes without protection, using SPF30 means you won’t blush for 600 minutes.

But that only lasts if you reapply it every two hours or after getting wet and apply the right amount.

And by preventing burns, you protect yourself against dry skin, wrinkles and most importantly skin cancer – of which there are more than 100,000 new cases in Britain each year.

Rosacea

TOP CHOICE: Altruist AntiRedness & Pigmentation SPF50, £11.50 for 30ml, altruistsun.com

This inflammatory skin condition causes facial flushing and can be triggered and aggravated by UV light from the sun.

Other symptoms include dry skin and sore eyelids.

In addition to SPF50, this cream contains licorice root, calendula and horse chestnut, which research shows can have an anti-inflammatory effect on irritated skin.

It is also tinted green, which has a ‘color correcting’ effect to hide redness.

Exposed scalp

TOP CHOICE: Colorescience Sunforgettable Brush-On Sunscreen SPF50, £37.39 for 6g, facethefuture.co.uk

The scalp is responsible for 20 percent of skin cancer cases, so applying SPF is extremely important.

This is especially a problem for people with thinning hair or bald spots.

This powder is a mineral sunscreen; ie a physical sunscreen that deflects the sun’s rays (many creams provide a chemical sunscreen, absorbing light and releasing it as heat from the skin).

Applied with the brush, it does not weigh down the hair and does not leave any residue.

Colorescience Sunforgettable Brush-On Sunscreen SPF50 (pictured), £37.39 for 6g, facethefuture.co.uk

Sensitive skin

TOP CHOICE: Eucerin Actinic Control SPF 100, £25 for 80ml, boots.com

Even if you’re over a skin concern, the impact of your treatment may mean you need to adjust your SPF choice accordingly.

Medications such as radiotherapy and Roaccutane (for acne) damage the skin’s protective barrier, making it more sensitive and prone to sunburn.

Anyone following these treatments (and those with a history of skin cancer) will need an extra high SPF.

This lightweight cream offers SPF100 and blocks 99 percent of UV rays