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Welcome back to the blog! I’ve made a couple of videos on my Youtube channel talking about sunscreens for fungal acne, so feel free to check those out if you prefer to watch instead of read.
Otherwise, today I’m going to be sharing my personal favorite sunscreens that are 100% safe for anyone struggling with fungal acne, or acne in general.
Do I Really Need Sunscreen?
I’m pretty hard-core when it comes to sunscreen, and you may be wondering why.
I’m going to be transparent here and admit that it took me until my late twenties to realize the importance of sunscreen. And I kinda regret it, but better late than never. And the same goes for you. If you’re reading this and you’re 15- then start wearing your sunscreen now! If you’re reading this and you’re already 35+, still start wearing your sunscreen now. Heck, even if you’re 60- just use sunscreen. All of you.
Why is sunscreen so important?
- Skin cancer is real and serious. I personally have had 2 family members suffer from it. Luckily, they’re both fine- but my sister got it very young!
- The suns rays cause irreversible damage to your skin, breaking down collagen and leading to wrinkles, fine lines, sun spots, and sagging. ☹️
In other words… sunscreen is our best chance at preventing premature aging. So wear your sunscreen now and maybe you won’t be looking for wrinkle erasing creams when you turn 45. Prevention is the name of the game here.
Best Sunscreens for Fungal Acne
Now that you know the importance of sunscreen and that yes, every single person should wear sunscreen every single day no matter what….
If you’re new around here, you may not know that my blog is exclusively catered to those of us suffering with skin conditions, specifically fungal acne. If you’re not sure what fungal acne is or whether you have it, check out these blog posts:
That said, I recommend these sunscreens for anyone: problem-skin or not!
Finding fungal acne safe products can be challenging enough, but finding products that are accessible is even harder. Hopefully this post takes that guesswork out of finding a good sunscreen. These are the ones I’ve personally used & recommend.
1. Paula’s Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30
I have used and loved many bottles of the Paula’s Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+. My one complaint is that the SPF isn’t a bit higher, but other than that – I love the formula. It’s a bit runny in consistency, but it absorbs super quick and it’s so light, you really can’t even tell you’re wearing anything.
2. Paula’s Choice RESIST Daily Hydrating Fluid Face Moisturizer SPF 50, UVA & UVB Protection
This is another Paula’s Choice sunscreen that I recently purchased specifically because it has a higher SPF of 50! Just like the PC Ultra-Light sunscreen that I love, it is almost-liquid in consistency and absorbs beautifully into the skin with no white cast or residue left behind. Truly a great product, and I’ll definitely buy it again.
3. EltaMD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen SPF 46 (Clear)
This sunscreen by EltaMD is a tad pricier than the Paula’s Choice, and also clocks in at .3oz less product in the container, but my twin sister uses it daily & loves it. It rubs in clear, wears well under makeup, and doesn’t feel heavy on the skin. It does give the skin a bit more of an oily/glowy appearance, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing! An important distinction here is that the tinted version of this sunscreen is NOT fungal acne safe, so be careful when ordering!
4. EltaMD UV Aero Broad-Spectrum SPF 45
Same as above, but in a convenient aerosol spray can that’s handy for the whole body versus just the face. Remember, while protecting our faces from damage is worth buying a special product for, it’s just as important to protect our whole body from sun damage! Great for the beach, lake, summertime, or any outdoors event where you’ll be showing off a lot of skin.
5. Banana Boat Simply Protect Sunscreen for Baby SPF 50+
Okay, I’m going to admit that this particular sunscreen by Banana Boat is not the one I reach for each day, but it has some good points.
Pros: I don’t think anything can penetrate through this stuff. It’s thick! Seriously, if I had a kid, I would totally slather them in this SPF 50+ sunscreen daily. It’s also highly accessible, unlike so many fungal-acne-safe products… so if you’re in a pinch, you could probably find it on the shelf of a local drugstore or grocery store on your way to the pool.
Cons: Leaves a major white cast on your skin, to the point that it’s laughable and you look opaque and ghostly. Doesn’t rub in easily, and beads off when you sweat.
6. Cotz Face Natural Skin Tone SPF 40
While I haven’t tried the Cotz Face Natural Skin Tone SPF 40 Sunscreen (yet), many of my followers use & recommend it. It’s marketed as a sunscreen + primer meant for wearing under makeup and claims to dry matte. If you have used this one, let me know what you think in the comments! Should I try it next, or stick to my tried & true Paula’s Choice?
7. Sheer Flesh Hydrating SPF Serum
Flesh Beauty is a brand that I have loved exploring, and they even have a fungal acne safe lipstick I’m obsessed with – Proud Flesh Matte Liquid Lip – the color Brazen is my go-to classic red lip that’s universally flattering.
Flesh Beauty is a Revlon-owned company with indie Glossier vibes that you should check out ASAP! This product is more than a sunscreen – it’s a moisturizer, too! Plus, it’s cruelty-free and formulated without parabens, petrochemicals, sulfates, silicon, mineral oils, oxybenzone, or octinoxate.
8. Sun Bum SPF 50 Spray
My favorite part of this Sun Bum SPF 50 Spray is that it is widely available. When you’re in a pinch and need something to use, you can count on this product. I’ve found it at Ulta, Target, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, and RiteAid. When all other sunscreen options fail, this product seems to sit on every shelf. And I love that it’s a spray – because who wants to massage thick sunscreen and sand particles into their skin throughout their beach day? No one. Get a bottle for your beach bag.
9. Ulta Sun Care Sun Protection Mist SPF 50
I have a whole video and blog post about the fungal acne safe products available exclusively in the Ulta Beauty Collection, and this sunscreen is one of them. I purchased this product and used the whole bottle, and I have some thoughts.. it’s greasy, it’s scented, and it’s not my favorite. But would I wear it on a beach day? Yes. Do I want to use it as my daily face sunscreen? No.
Speaking of Ulta, now is a great time to mention that I created fungal acne shopping guides for Walmart, Target, Ulta, and Sephora to make shopping for a fungal acne safe skin care & makeup routine easy peasy.
Download them by filling out the form below, and I’ll send them straight to your email!
10. La Roche Posay Anthelios SPF50+ Comfort Cream
⚠️ Fair warning: this sunscreen by La Roche-Posay seems to be undergoing a repackaging or reformulation, because it has become a rare unicorn, nearly impossible to find. I’ve reached out to La Roche-Posay’s customer service to inquire whether it will be restocked in the future, but I have not officially heard back. Given the odd chance you’re able to get it where you live (outside the US, maybe?), I’ve left it on the list.
11. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Sunscreen SPF 70
⚠️ Fair warning: This product is also a bit confusing! I believe it has also been undergoing a repackaging, and potentially a reformulation. The one that is fungal acne safe says “ULTRA SHEER FACE” on the package, not Ultra Sheer Liquid.. I have linked to the correct item here, but I was not able to find it in my local stores.
I feel it’s important to note that all items on this list are subject to change formulations at any time and may become unsafe for use with fungal acne. Check your ingredients from time to time with an ingredient checker like this one. And double check formatting, because these things are prone to error!
If you know anyone struggling with a skin condition and/or in need of a new sunscreen that will help promote skin health while preventing premature aging, would you share this post with them?
You can also Pin this Image to Pinterest to help spread the word:
