Non-comedogenic sunscreen for oily skin

The word ‘oily’ is used to describe a skin type with heightened sebum production. Sebum is produced in skin’s sebaceous glands and is transported to the skin’s surface by sebaceous filaments where it contributes to skin protection. Oily skin is characterised by a glossy shine and enlarged and visible pores. You can find out more about oily skin in our skin types and conditions article.

Oily skin is prone to comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) and these can lead to acne. Acne-prone skin is characterised by having skin that frequently experiences breakouts and is a non-contagious skin condition where pimples, blackheads, whiteheads and other acne lesions appear on the face and frequently on the neck, shoulders, back and chest too. They are caused by a combination of bacteria, excess oil and hormones.

Many standard sunscreens are suitable for normal to dry skin skin types, and you can read about the Eucerin sun range here. However, if you have oily skin, you’ll want a fast-absorbing, non-comedogenic sunscreen.

We recommend that you use sun protection products that have been specially formulated for oily and acne-prone skin, such as lotions, fluids or gels.
Choose products:

• with a lighter texture (this doesn’t mean you need to compromise on high protection)
• labelled ‘non-comedogenic’
• that actively help to address your skin concerns as well as to offer sun protection
• that have been specially formulated for blemish-prone skin and that are clinically and dermatologically proven to be suitable for your skin type.

The Eucerin Sun range includes two sun protection products for oily and blemish-prone skin. These non-comedogenic sunscreens also offer sebum-regulating Oil Control Technology with L-Carnitine too.

Applying a thick coat of SPF to your face may trigger blemishes, but not using any sunscreen is dangerous. Thankfully, there are non-comedogenic sunscreens for acne-prone skin that won't leave your skin feeling sticky.

Acne-prone skin can be more susceptible to sun-induced skin damage, therefore it's important to select a suitable sunscreen that protects against high UV light as well as being non-comedogenic.

Eucerin Oil Control Sun Gel-Cream Dry Touch SPF 50+ provides very high or high UVA/UVB protection and HEVIS light defense for blemish-prone skin. The ultra-light and non-comedogenic formula has a dry matt finish that gives skin a long-lasting (up to 8h) anti-shine effect.

When choosing a sunscreen, it's important to properly assess the product and its ingredients to ensure you are not using anything that may worsen or exacerbate skin conditions like acne. Ingredients to avoid are:

• Synthetic ingredients such as avobenzone and octisalate
• Comedogenic oils, butters and waxes

Products to avoid are:

• Fragrances
• Bug repellents

Your skin is vulnerable when exposed to sunlight, so using a non-comedogenic sunscreen that protects and doesn't clog pores will limit the chances of exacerbating acne on the face.

Use Eucerin Sensitive Protect Sun Spray Transparent SPF 50, which also features our Advanced Spectral Technology. The Sensitive Protect Sun Spray is an aerosol sunscreen for the body that is suitable for sensitive skin including acne-prone skin. The dry touch formula supports the skin’s own DNA repair mechanism.

Always ensure you apply enough spray to protect your skin, as a light misting won’t be enough to cover the skin properly. You should spray enough so your skin is glistening. Learn more in our How much sunscreen to use article.

If you suffer from hyperpigmentation, being exposed to the sun can worsen areas on the skin that are susceptible to sun spots such as on the face. Sunlight triggers an increase in melanin production which may lead to age spots.

The Sun Face Pigment Control SPF 50+ is an everyday sunscreen for all skin types that helps to prevent sun-induced hyperpigmentation. This pigment lightweight sunscreen also includes Glycyrrhetinic Acid, which supports skin’s own DNA repair mechanism.

It’s important to protect the face from the sun, particularly as it can be detrimental to the skin and cause sun-induced skin damage. High-energy visible (HEVIS) light can also induce free radicals that cause further stress to the skin.

Sun Fluid Photoaging Control SPF 30 is an everyday, non-comedogenic facial sunscreen suitable for all skin types. It contains Licochalcone A to neutralise free radicals caused by UV and HEVIS light. It’s also unperfumed and has a pleasant light texture that absorbs quickly, enriched with Hyaluronic Acid to visibly reduce wrinkles on the face and décolleté.

The sun can leave the skin reddened, sore, and burnt if it’s not protected with a non-comedogenic SPF before exposure to UV rays. Sensitive skin and skin prone to sun allergies should be soothed with after-sun care, such as the Sensitive Relief After Sun Cream Gel, which is suitable for the face and body. It's designed to immediately soothe the skin and contributes to repairing sun-induced skin damage.

The best way to protect skin is to limit the time spent in the sun, avoid it during its most intense hours, wear protective clothing and apply a superior sunscreen product that offers the level of protection that your skin needs.

If you use an acid-based skin peel or resurfacing treatment, such as Eucerin’s highly effective DermoPurifyer Skin Renewal Treatment, it’s important to remember your skin will be even more sensitive to the sun. We recommend you use the product in the evening and ensure you apply a high or very high protection factor the following morning.

If you are undergoing medical treatment, be sure to practice ‘safe sun’. Limit the time spent outdoors, avoid the sun during its most intense hours, wear protective clothing and wear a very high protection sun factor even on cloudy days.

While sunscreen may not be specifically formulated to treat acne, sunscreen prevents skin inflamed by acne from being exposed to the sun's rays. Excessive and/or unprotected exposure to the sun’s rays can exacerbate the causes and triggers of acne, making matters worse rather than better. Here are some potential triggers:

1. The sun causes skin to dry out and even oily skin needs moisture. When skin dries out the sebaceous glands go into overdrive, and this excessive sebum production is one of the key stages in the formation of blemishes.
2. When skin dries out its surface hardens. This interferes with the natural process whereby dead skin cells are shed, leading to clogged pores and blemishes developing.
3. The sun also leads to increased sweat production and speeds up the rate at which sweat degrades on skin’s surface. This creates the perfect environment for the bacteria associated with acne to spread.

Not only can exposure to the sun cause acne, but it can also exacerbate acne scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, as the sun’s rays cause our skin to produce melanin which makes scars darker and more noticeable. You can learn more in our does the sun help acne article.

The sun’s UV rays can be beneficial for the skin, especially the face if you experience acne. It's common for your acne symptoms to improve during the summer months especially, as sun exposure can dry the skin, which could lead to reduced oil production and improve acne related symptoms. Other benefits of sunlight include:

• Vitamin D absorption: This is one of the main vitamins we absorb from sunlight. It helps maintain overall skin health as well as potentially improve acne symptoms.
• UV light: This can help eliminate acne-causing bacteria and reduce inflammation.

As always, you should be careful of spending too much time in the sun as it could be more detrimental to your skin than beneficial over time. If you are in the sun or expect to be exposed to sunlight for extended periods of time, then be sure to wear a non-comedogenic sunscreen for maximum protection.

Generally speaking, sunscreen does not cause acne. However certain ingredients may block the skin’s pores. This is why it is important, especially for those with acne-prone skin, to use a non-comedogenic sunscreen, meaning a sunscreen that won’t block pores and contribute to breakouts. 

Sun, in moderation is good for us but overexposure to the sun’s rays can cause both short and long-term damage to all skin types including oily skin. You can read more about the positive and negative effects of the sun on skin in our How do UVA, UVB and HEVIS light rays affect skin? article.

Certain acne treatments and medications − e.g. Benzoyl Peroxide, Tretinoin, Adapalene and Azelaic Acid − also make skin more susceptible to sun damage and increase the need for appropriate sun protection. You can find out more in our Acne and medication article.