According to the National Eczema Association (NEA), mineral-based sunscreens that are alcohol-free and come with SPF 30 and above are the best sunscreen for eczema.
Chemical-based sunscreens are more likely to irritate your already inflamed and itchy eczema infected skin. This is why the type of sunscreen described above is your best bet for soothing protection and satisfactory effect.
The SPF 30 requirement ensures that the sunscreens offer broad-spectrum protection, thereby enabling them to combat UVA and UVB rays.
Sunscreens should be a part of your daily skincare routine, especially during the summer when you might want to reveal some skin on the beach.
With this guide, you’ve got all you need to know about selecting the right sunscreen formula for eczema and other related skin conditions.
What is Eczema?
It’s essential to know the skin condition you have before selecting a sunscreen formula for it.
Eczema is a skin condition that’s characterized by chronic irritation and redness. Individuals with this skin condition are more vulnerable to the sun’s harmful rays, which makes the use of sunscreen essential.
However, selecting sunscreens for this skin condition always pose a difficult challenge, which is why we’ve highlighted essential guides for you to follow.
We’ve also included our top sunscreens list for eczema, thereby making the selection process easy for you.
Guides for choosing the right sunscreen for Eczema
It’s not every sunscreen formula that works for eczema. Some worsen your condition and leaves your skin more reddened and inflamed.
This makes it essential to choose the right formula, to prevent negative effects on your skin. Mineral-based sunscreens are generally recommended for Eczema. They contain no harsh chemicals and soothes your skin condition while ensuring optimal protection.
Apart from this, other things to consider include:
Ingredients
The constituents that make-up a sunscreen formula is vital to ascertain it’s safe for use. Do away with sunscreens that contain Oxybenzone, Octinoxide, parabens, alcohol, and synthetic additives.
Ensure that your choicest sunscreen is formulated with minerals like Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. They’re safe and pure to use and cause no side effects.
Broad-spectrum
Sunscreens for eczema shouldn’t be below SPF 30 rating. This is to ensure optimal protection and prevention of over 95% harmful sun rays reaching the skin.
Broad-spectrum sunscreens are recommended by Cancer foundations and NEA, which implies that they’re potent enough to protect and soothe the skin.
Skin types
Some brands make their products skin-specific. This implies that some sunscreens might work for oily skin excellently but leaves dry skin with white cast and other residues, vice versa.
This is why selecting a formula that works excellently on your skin type is vital to achieving satisfactory results and effects.
Beyond sun protection, your sunscreen formula should also provide the skin other benefits like moisturizing, nourishing, soothing, smoothing, amongst others.
Best Sunscreen for Eczema in 2023
Here are the top sunscreens that made our list:
MDsolar Sciences Mineral crème Sunscreen
This mineral-based oil-free formula contains 17% zinc oxide and 2% titanium dioxide, which provides its sun-blocking effect. It features an SPF 50 broad-spectrum protection that protects your skin from UVA and UVB damages.
The water-resistant formula is non-irritating and leaves no white cast on the skin. It is formulated with ingredients rich in antioxidants like green tea, pomegranate, Vit C, and cranberry, protecting the skin from radical damage.
It is lightweight, fast-absorbing, and blends seamlessly to provide a sheer matte finish. The silky-smooth formula is gentle enough to be used on kids around 6months and above. It is suitable for all skin types, doesn’t clog pores, and works excellently for skin conditions like acne, rosacea, and eczema.
Alba Botanica Sunscreen lotion SPF 30
Alba botanica boasts of sunscreens that are recommended by skin cancer foundation. This is another formula that is reef-friendly, biodegradable, cruelty-free, and synthetic fragrance-free.
The lightweight formula is mineral-based, and it’s formulated with 100% vegan ingredients. It comes with SPF 30 that protects the skin from both types of Ultraviolet radiation present in sun rays.
Beyond this, the formula also moisturizes, smooths, and soothes the skin, making it good for eczema. It is formulated with Aloe vera and chamomile, offering soothing effects and acts as antioxidants.
The formula effectively prevents sunburn, premature aging, and other damages that result from prolonged exposure to harmful sun rays. It is non-greasy, fast-absorbing, and suitable for all skin types.
Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Mineral sunscreen
This mineral-based sunscreen has zinc oxide, which provides SPF 60 broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. This ensures that your skin stays protected from all forms of damage caused by harmful sun rays.
The oil-free and fragrance-free formula comes with 80 water resistance, it is hypoallergenic and works well for individuals with eczema. The gentle formula contains 100% naturally sourced sunscreen active ingredients, making it pure enough to use sensitive skin.
It is fast-absorbing, non-greasy, and neither clog pores or causes acne breakouts. The formula features pure screen technology, a blend of sunscreen active ingredients that keep UVA and UVB away from the skin.
It passed all NEA requirements for sunscreens that can be used for eczema, as it contains no alcohol or chemical filters.
Totlogic Mineral-Based Sunscreen
This is a natural mineral-based sunscreen formula with zinc oxide as its active sunscreen ingredient. It is safe for use by both kids and adults, making it an excellent formula for the whole family.
The organic formula comes with a broad spectrum SPF 30 that enables it to block harmful sun rays from penetrating the skin (both the face and body). It is reef-safe, non-toxic, and offers 80 mins water resistance.
The hypoallergenic formula is suitable for all skin types, including eczema-prone skin. It is non-comedogenic and contains no chemical filter or irritants like PABA, paraben, and phthalate.
The antioxidant-rich formula contains jojoba oil, white tea, chamomile, lavender, and hyaluronic acid. All of which helps soothe, hydrate, and soften the skin. It boasts of an all-natural scent and leaves you with a satisfactory effect.
CeraVe Hydrating face Sunscreen
This sunscreen boasts a seal of recommendation by the National Eczema Association, and the Skin cancer foundation recommends it.
That’s not all, the lightweight and non-greasy formula is 100% mineral-based. It features zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as its active sunscreen ingredients and broad-spectrum SPF 50.
It provides optimal skin protection against sun damages and ultraviolet radiation while locking in moisture and restoring the skin’s natural barrier.
The fragrance-free formula contains three essential ceramides — 1, 3, 6-11, and hyaluronic acid, ensuring the skin stays hydrated. It is free of oil, paraben, and chemical filters, making it a pure formula.
The formula is also allergy-tested, and you can be assured of no negative effects.
Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen
This broad-spectrum sunscreen comes with SPF 50 and contains titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as its major sunscreen ingredient. The formula boasts of 80 minutes water resistance and offers optimal protection against UVA and UVB.
The fragrance-free formula contains no Oxybenzone or Octinoxate, making it reef-friendly. It is also sweat resistant, thereby being able to withstand intense workouts for up to 80 minutes.
The dermatologist-tested formula works incredibly on sensitive and acne-prone skin. It is also recommendable for individuals with eczema.
It comes with a smart bottle technology that turns blue (under the sun) when it’s time to apply your sunscreen. The sunscreen is free of paraben, alcohol, and chemical or synthetic additives.
Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen lotion
This mineral-based sunscreen poises strong resistance on the skin against harmful sun rays penetration. It is water-resistant (80 minutes), non-greasy l, and non-sticky.
The National Eczema Association approves the hypoallergenic formula as an effective sunscreen for eczema. It is cruelty-free and contains no oxybenzone, phthalate, and paraben.
The antioxidant-rich formula protects the skin from free radical damage while shielding the screen from UVA and UVB due to its SPF 50 feature. The reef-friendly formula is suitable for kids and doesn’t clog pores.
The dermatologist-tested sunscreen seamlessly blends and sets with a powder-like matte finish.
Amavara Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
This sheer formula works magic on acne-prone and sensitive skin. It is also recommendable for eczema, and it leaves the skin with a transparent finish. The vegan formula contains zinc oxide as its active sunscreen ingredient.
It comes with SPF 50 and offers broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB ultraviolet radiation. The non-toxic formula is hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. It is also water-resistant and can be used for kids.
Beyond protection, this sunscreen also prime while providing the skin with a physical barrier that shields it against extreme conditions like cold, environmental pollution, heat, windburn, and free radicals.
Aveeno Protect + Hydrate moisturizing sunscreen lotion
Here’s a multifunctional sunscreen that moisturizes, nourishes, and protects the skin. It comes with SPF 70, which offers optimal skin protection and excellent resistance against UVA and UVB rays.
The oil-free formula is recommended by skin cancer foundation, an indication of its efficiency. It is fast-absorbing and offers you all-day skin hydration.
The water-resistant sunscreen protects the skin from sunburn, premature skin aging and doesn’t clog pores. It contains antioxidant-oat that protects the skin from radical damage while offering other nourishing benefits.
It’s an ideal formula for individuals with eczema. It ensures your skin stays soothed, protected, and sweat-free.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Sunscreen
This is an Ultra-light formula that uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as its active sunscreen ingredients. The oil-free formula is a recipient of 90 beauty awards, proof of its optimal efficiency.
It comes with SPF 50, which ensures your skin doesn’t have to bother about UVA and UVB. It also employs a cell-ox shield technology that offers a combined antioxidant and sunscreen protection.
It is 40 minutes resistant to water and boasts of a 100% mineral UV filter system. The fast-absorbing formula is also recommended by skin cancer foundation, proof of its potency.
It is fragrance-free, paraben-free, and works excellently on all skin types. The formula comes in two forms — tinted and non-tinted, and blends on the skin with a matte finish. It is dermatologist and allergy tested and works soothingly for individuals with eczema.
Elta MD UV Shield Face & Body Sunscreen lotion
This is another sunscreen formula that’s recommended by skin cancer foundation. It comes with SPF 45 broad-spectrum protection that keeps the skin safe against UVA and UVB.
The oil-free and non-greasy formula leaves no residue on the skin and blends quickly into the skin. It contains zinc oxide, which acts as the active sunscreen ingredients in the formula.
It is non-comedogenic and works efficiently for sensitive and acne-prone skin. The fragrance-free formula contains no paraben, and it is recommended for individuals with eczema.
Coola Organic classic face sunscreen lotion
This fragrance-free sunscreen comes with SPF 50, which offers broad-spectrum protection and prevents harmful sun rays from penetrating the skin.
The lightweight and non-greasy formula hydrates the skin and features an antioxidant-rich plant protection complex.
It is water-resistant, vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free. It is also an excellent formula, and it blends on the skin with sheer coverage.
Goddess Garden Organics
This natural mineral-based sunscreen is suitable for sensitive skin and eczema. It contains non-GMO ingredients, and it’s reef-safe.
The vegan formula is cruelty-free, non-nano, and comes with a pure lavender fragrance. It comes with SPF 30, which provides you with broad-spectrum protection against harmful Ultraviolet rays.
It also contains nourishing organic foods like Aloe vera, sunflower, etc. It is chemical-free and doesn’t cause any allergy reaction to the skin.
Sun Bum Mineral Sunscreen lotion
This mineral-based natural sunscreen is vegan, reef-friendly, and natural. It offers optimal protection against UVA and UVB and contains SPF 50.
The zinc-based formula is hypoallergenic and works effectively for eczema. It is water-resistant (80 minutes), dermatologist-tested, cruelty-free, and gluten-free.
The lightweight formula is silky and blends seamlessly on the skin with a matte finish. It’s an effective sunscreen formula that leaves you with optimal satisfaction.
Conclusion
Eczema is a skin condition that can be worsened by prolonged exposure to sun rays, which is why sunscreens are essential.
However, some sunscreens irritate the skin further, which is why you need a pure and potent sunscreen formula for eczema.
This guide has got all you need — lists of top sunscreens and things to consider when making a choice. Enjoy your read!