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Sunscreens for different skin types

Dry skin? Prone to breakouts? Every person's skin is different, so this handy guide can help identify different sunscreens and what they may have to offer.

Updated: June 9, 2026 | 5 minutes to read

Written by: Amber Katz

Three people spend time together outside on a sunny day.

It's a sunny double-edged sword: The sun's rays can be both beneficial and harmful to the skin. Some exposure to the sun is great for vitamin D production. But too much sun can lead to skin damage and an increased risk of skin cancer, so keeping sunscreen on hand can be a smart move.

Sunscreen can help reduce the risk of developing skin cancer, and with regular usage, it may help slow down signs of aging caused by sun damage. It's also important to use other sun protection as well, like covering up skin and wearing a hat.

Read on for information about finding the right sunscreen products for different skin types and lifestyles.

En este artículo:

What to look for in a sunscreen

It is recommended that everyone use a sunscreen that includes three key features:

  • Broad-spectrum protection, which protects against ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays
  • Sun protection factor (SPF) 30 or higher
  • Water resistance

The good news? It's not hard to find sunscreens that meet these basic requirements. And many formulations take things one step further, designing sunscreens that may help to address specific needs.

Sunscreen and acne-prone skin

Some sunscreens contain ingredients that can be less likely to cause a breakout.

Joshua Zeichner, MD, the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, recommends oil-free and pore-friendly sunscreens for acne-prone skin. "Many sunscreens available today contain mattifying ingredients" - ingredients that reduce oil and sheen. These can be helpful by blurring the pores and reducing shine, he notes.

Connecticut-based dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, notes that some mineral-based sunscreens may work best for people with piel propensa al acné. She likes La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light mineral fluid for those who have acne, because “it’s cosmetically elegant, light, fast-absorbing and even blends well on dark skin.”

Sunscreen and dry skin

Dr. Zeichner notes that people with dry skin should consider sunscreens that contain skin hydrating and repairing ingredients. He recommends CeraVe hydrating sheer sunscreen, which has ceramides and hyaluronic acid and is fragrance-free.

Dr. Gohara recommends choosing creams instead of lotions, since creams often have higher oil content. "Look for humectants, such as hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin, and avoid gel and fragranced formulations," she notes.

Sunscreen and sensitive skin

If you have sensitive skin, Dr. Zeichner advises sticking with mineral sunscreens that contain zinc oxide alone or in combination with titanium dioxide. Dr. Gohara advises looking for fragrance-free formulations and avoiding chemical filters like avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate and oxybenzone. "Avoid botanicals, essential oils and other fancy additives at all costs," Dr. Gohara adds.

For sensitive skin, Dr. Zeichner recommends Eucerin Sun sensitive mineral SPF 50, which is formulated with zinc oxide alone. Dr. Gohara recommends a hypoallergenic mineral sunscreen, such as CVS Health broad-spectrum sensitive skin sunscreen lotion, which is made for sensitive skin.

Dr. Gohara adds that sunscreen formulations designed for babies can also be an option. Neutrogena Pure and Free baby mineral sunscreen with SPF 50 features a hypoallergenic, dermatologist-recommended zinc formula that’s water-resistant.

Sunscreen and oily skin

For oily skin, sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are recommended to help prevent acne breakouts, and fragrances and oils should be avoided.

Dr. Zeichner likes products that are a gel formulation, since they may work well for those with oily skin. Stick formulas may be good here as well: Dr. Zeichner mentions Coppertone Sport SPF 40 stick.

Types of sunscreen for different skin types

Consideraciones clave

No matter the skin type or concern, there are sunscreen options available that can help protect from the sun. The key is finding ingredients that may help with specific needs, whether that's acne, oil control, hydration or sensitivity. Different formulas may work better for different lifestyles and sun exposure habits, so it's worth experimenting with a few options. Finding a match might take some trial and error, but it can become easier once the specific skin concerns are understood. Taking that time can make all the difference in helping preserve skin health and providing peace of mind.

Preguntas frecuentes

Mineral sunscreen (also called physical sunscreen) uses titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or both to help protect from UV rays. Chemical sunscreens contain different active ingredients. Mineral sunscreens may be recommended for people with sensitive skin. Hybrid options that can include active ingredients found in chemical and physical sunscreen also exist.

The FDA recommends that people keep sunscreen out of direct sun. If outdoors, they can wrap the containers in towels or store them in the shade. This can help keep the sunscreen in good shape and maintain its effectiveness.

Everyone should wear sunscreen, including people with darker skin tones. Doing so can help prevent wrinkles, age spots and even skin cancer. Tinted sunscreens are available for people who want to avoid the white residue or cast that some sunscreens may leave on the skin.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consult your health care provider if you have any questions about medications, vitamins or supplements you may be considering or changes to your wellness or health care routines.

  • FOR VITAMIN D PRODUCTION SOURCE: National Institutes of Health. Vitamina D. Updated June 27, 2025.

  • FOR SKIN DAMAGE AND AN INCREASED RISK OF SKIN CANCER SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sun safety facts. Published. February 10, 2026.

  • FOR SUNSCREEN CAN HELP REDUCE THE RISK OF DEVELOPING SKIN CANCER SOURCE: U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Sunscreen: How to help protect your skin from the sun. Updated September 16, 2025.

  • FOR EVERY SUNSCREEN SHOULD INCLUDE THREE KEY FEATURES SOURCE: American Academy of Dermatology Association. Sunscreen FAQ. Updated February 11, 2025.

  • FOR OIL-FREE AND PORE-FRIENDLY SUNSCREENS FOR ACNE-PRONE SKIN SOURCE: Joshua Zeichner, interview, April 2023.

  • FOR MINERAL-BASED SUNSCREENS SOURCE: Mona Gohara, interview, April 2023.

  • FOR SKIN HYDRATING AND REPAIRING INGREDIENTS, SUCH AS CERAMIDES OR COLLOIDAL OATMEAL SOURCE: Joshua Zeichner, interview, April 2023.

  • FOR HUMECTANTS, SUCH AS HYALURONIC ACID SOURCE: Mona Gohara, interview, April 2023.

  • FOR MINERAL SUNSCREENS THAT CONTAIN ZINC OXIDE ALONE OR IN COMBINATION WITH TITANIUM DIOXIDE SOURCE: Joshua Zeichner, interview, April 2023.

  • FOR HYPOALLERGENIC MINERAL SUNSCREEN SOURCE: Mona Gohara, interview, April 2023.

  • FOR SUNSCREEN FORMULATIONS DESIGNED FOR BABIES SOURCE: Mona Gohara, interview, April 2023.

  • FOR FRAGRANCES AND OILS SHOULD BE AVOIDED: Schleehauf B. How to control oily skin. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Actualizado el 3 de septiembre de 2024.

  • FOR MINERAL AND CHEMICAL SUNSCREENS SOURCE: American Academy of Dermatology Association. How to decode sunscreen labels. Updated April 25, 2024.

  • FOR STORE SUNSCREEN SOURCE: U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Sunscreen: How to help protect your skin from the sun.

  • FOR DARKER SKIN TONES SOURCE: American Academy of Dermatology Association. Sunscreen FAQ. Updated February 11, 2025.

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