This Best-Selling Facial Sunscreen Has Over 4,000 Amazon Reviews (2024)

An important note on sunscreen safety: The FDA is proposing changes to sunscreen regulations, as some active ingredients can enter the bloodstream. Until it can reach a more robust conclusion on safety, the FDA — and the Good Housekeeping Beauty Lab — urges Americans to continue using mineral and chemical sunscreen to protect against UV damage.

Sensitive skin means something different to everyone. Whether you're faced with eczema, acne, rosacea, dryness, or just plain old irritation, anyone with sensitive skin wants to make sure they're using products that won't inflame skin. People "with sensitive skin are often more sensitive to UV light, so it's extremely important to wear a daily sunscreen to avoid sunburn and rashes," says Anne Chapas, M.D., a dermatologist and director at Union Square Laser Dermatology and instructor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.

At the Good Housekeeping Institute, our Beauty Lab regularly tests and evaluates all types of sunscreens on the market — including lotions, creams, sprays, and formulas for face and body, for kids and more. In order to find out which ones are the best, our experts evaluate these sunscreens in our Lab while real consumer testers (over 1,300 people!) test them in the sun for at least one week. We select testers based on their preferences, and our consumer panel then rates the sunscreens across various criteria, including sun protection efficacy, irritation, scent, absorption, look and feel on skin, and overall satisfaction.

Pro tip: Dermatologists and Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab experts generally recommend mineral and pure zinc-oxide sunscreens for sensitive skin, since they can soothe irritated skin, though many chemical sunscreens have also performed well for not causing irritation in GH Beauty Lab testing.

Based on the GH Beauty Lab's extensive testing and dermatologist recommendations, these are the best sunscreens for sensitive skin, whether you're looking for a spray, chemical-free natural formula, no white cast, and more.

This sunscreen lotion from Hawaiian Tropic earned the overall highest score in the GH Beauty Lab's test of body sunscreens, including perfect scores for not making skin feel dry or irritated. It gets better: Our testers loved this sunscreen's beachy scent (a combination of jasmine and coconut). They also said it absorbed well into their skin without leaving white residue, and that it didn't feel greasy or tacky.

A top performer in GH Beauty Lab face sunscreen testing, Vichy's formula ranked at the top for being gentle and making skin feel hydrated. 100% of testers strongly agreed it didn't cause redness, irritation, stinging, or burning. The lotion also scored highest for not being tacky and not leaving a white cast or residue on skin. One tester called it "a perfect product".

A top mineral sunscreen in GH Beauty Lab testing, the Bare Republic face SPF aced GH Beauty Lab tests for not inflaming skin. The milky formula scored perfectly for being gentle and nonirritating. Testers raved that the “satiny” liquid went on like a “light,” “dry oil" with “no stinging or bumps.” (Note that the tube has to be shaken before application so the formula won’t separate when dispensed.)

Dr. Chapas recommends Vanicream lotions for people with eczema, so this fragrance-free mineral sunscreen from the brand is a great option for sun protection without irritating sensitive, eczema-prone skin. "My child gets bad eczema from sunscreen in the summer," a LovelySkin reviewer says. "We’ve tried a bunch of different ones, and this is the only one that doesn’t make him break out. I buy it in bulk!" It's especially important for anyone with eczema to use sunscreen, because "getting a sunburn will worsen skin inflammation and can cause eczema to flare," Dr. Sherber explains

A bargain mineral sunscreen that can be used on both body and face, Coppertone’s fragrance-free zinc oxide lotion was among the most gentle in GH Beauty Lab testing. 94% of consumer testers reported that it didn’t sting or irritate skin. Unlike other mineral sunscreens, users found it easy to apply and moisturizing; it also rinsed off well and didn’t stain clothing. The formula tallied near-perfect marks for effectively protecting skin from the sun. A caveat: Some said it left a tacky white coating that had to be rubbed in.

In search of a natural sunscreen for sensitive skin? Australian Gold, which uses mineral zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as its active ingredients, was a GH Beauty Lab test winner thanks to its non-oily finish and strong UV protection. Testers said it didn't feel greasy on their skin, and it's gentle enough that it won't feel irritating (some even used it on their babies' skin!). The formula also rated highly for its pleasant scent. "It absorbed easily and did not leave my hands greasy, which is important when I’m playing tennis," one tester said. One caveat: It may leave a white residue on skin.

Banana Boat's easy-applying aerosol spray sunscreen earned top scores all around in GH Beauty Lab testing. Our testers raved about how lightweight it felt and how it immediately soaked into their skin. The formula earned high scores on average for not stinging or irritating skin, though one person said they felt a burning sensation on freshly-shaven skin. It has a mild fruity scent (that most testers liked!) but some found it too sweet.

From the dermatologist-recommended brand MDSolarSciences, this SPF cream earned a perfect score in GH Beauty Lab testing for not causing any stinging or irritation. Even though it's a fragrance-free formula, it still has a pleasant scent. Testers loved its creamy texture, with one person saying that "it made my skin feel soft without being oily." It's a mineral sunscreen, so there's a chance that it may leave white residue on your skin — shake the tube before applying to avoid separation!

Aveeno's creamy sunscreen will protect the skin on your face without any irritation. One tester said it "gave a slight glow to my skin but didn't appear oily." This one earned a perfect score for not leaving any white residue behind. Our study also found it won't interfere with your makeup application (yes, you should be wearing sunscreen on a daily basis, even under your makeup). Plus, most testers were pleased with its light, tropical scent.

Free of chemical sunscreen active ingredients, this mineral zinc oxide and titanium dioxide-based Sun Bum lotion made with naturally-derived active ingredients also contains no artificial fragrances. It earned a near-perfect score for not causing skin redness or irritation. "This product feels silky on my skin and looks so natural," a tester noted.

Coola’s SPF cream, made from 70% organic ingredients, including soothing aloe and botanical oils, proved mild enough for even reactive skin and effectively protected against sunburn in GH Beauty Lab testing. The formula earned a perfect score for gentleness, with 100% of testers saying it didn’t sting or irritate. Two called it “the perfect sunscreen” and praised its “hydrating” feel. “Disappears like a light body lotion,” one said. “It didn’t irritate sensitive skin,” another reported.

This GH Beauty Lab test-winning mineral zinc oxide- and titanium dioxide-based face sunscreen from MDSolarSciences won't cause irritation to your skin and has some of the benefits of a makeup primer. Testers appreciated its delicate scent, fast absorption, and matte finish. "It felt like a base coat primer that reduced the appearance of your pores," one tester wrote. Others noted its silky feel and how it didn't leave any white residue behind.

Although this sunscreen wasn't a part of our formal test, it's still a popular pick found in tons of dermatologists' offices. Plus, it's the best-selling facial sunscreen on Amazon! This smooth, lightweight formula is often recommended for acne-prone skin and it doesn't contain any fragrance, which is a common skin irritant. EltaMD is even the sunscreen of choice for a few experts and editors on the Good Housekeeping team.

A new cult classic, Sun Bum's SPF lotion received a perfect score in GH Beauty Lab testing for not stinging or irritating skin, despite its tropical scent. The sunscreen also scored high for its fragrance, a light aroma that'll remind you of bananas and the beach. Just note that some testers found it didn't absorb into their skin as well as some of the other sunscreens.

At just $7 for an 8-ounce bottle, this GH Beauty Lab test-winning Banana Boat sunscreen is super affordable and can be used on both face and body. 100% of testers who applied it to their face said they didn't experience irritation around their eyes. It absorbs quickly and it won't leave behind white residue on your skin or rub off on clothing, either. Testers also loved its creamy formula, so it ranked the highest for texture. Plus, the bottle itself makes it easy to apply. "The way the bottle is shaped allowed for wet hands to hold it without it slipping," wrote one tester.