Can sun cream cause spots? Does higher SPF make you break out?
Many sunscreens contain petrochemicals that clog the pores, leading to breakouts. But that’s no excuse for skipping your sun protection!
Here, we reveal the best sun cream for acne-prone skin.
Why do so many sun creams give me spots?
Does your skin break out as soon as the sun shows up? Pore-clogging sunscreens laden with silicones and petrochemicals are a known cause of summer spots. These ingredients combine with sweat and sebum and congest your pores, creating the ideal breeding ground for acne bacteria.
However, sunscreen is essential for healthy skin and is especially important for spot-prone skin, as some spot treatments are known to increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight. So, how do you enjoy the sunshine without sacrificing a clear complexion?
Worry not; non-comedogenic mineral sunscreen is just what you need to keep spot-prone and oily skin clear, calm, and safe in the sun.
Benefits of Zinc Oxide sunscreen for spots and oily skin
The key to avoiding spots after sun cream is to avoid ingredients that cause spots in the first place. For this, you need a petrochemical-free mineral sun cream made with Zinc Oxide.
Unlike chemical sun creams, which absorb sun rays, mineral Zinc Oxide sun creams sit on the skin's surface and reflect UVA and UVB rays.
Non-comedogenic and gentle on sensitive skin and spots, Zinc Oxide is anti-inflammatory, helping to calm areas of redness and irritation. It is also naturally balanced, making it the perfect sun cream ingredient for a spot-prone complexion.
Did you know? As well as being an effective sunscreen, Zinc Oxide is also used in some spot treatments.
As well as avoiding pore-clogging petrochemicals, try to choose a sunscreen that helps to support the balance of your skin.
Many sunscreens use skin-drying alcohol and harsh ingredients that can strip the skin of its protective oils. This creates a vicious circle as the skin counteracts its imbalance by producing more oil.
Our natural facial sun creams are clinically proven kind to the skin and made without skin-drying ethanol alcohol. All our sunscreens are alcohol-free (ethanol/ethyl alcohol). Keep scrolling to discover our best sun cream for spot-prone skin.
Best sun cream for spot-prone skin
Our top-pick Zinc Oxide sun cream for spot-prone skin is our Scent Free Mineral Sun Cream SPF30.
This non-comedogenic SPF30 mineral sun cream for spots and oily skin is designed to protect your skin without congesting your pores.
It is free from skin-irritating fragrances and pore-clogging petrochemicals such as mineral oil and silicones.
Instead, we use gentle, anti-inflammatory ingredients that support your clear skin balance:
- Zinc Oxide: Anti-inflammatory Zinc Oxide protects in an instant by reflecting UV rays
- Green Tea: Naturally anti-inflammatory Green Tea helps to prevent blackheads from forming
- Jojoba: Balancing Jojoba protects the skin and also helps to unblock pores
- Almond Oil: Non-comedogenic Almond Oil helps to keep skin clear
- Aloe Vera: Gentle soothes during sun exposure and supports skin healing
Scent Free Mineral Sun Cream SPF30 50ml
Reflect and protect with this 100% mineral sun cream
€25,95
A natural spot-control routine
As well as choosing a skin-friendly sunscreen, you can reduce your chance of spots and clogged pores by following a gentle routine that promotes clear skin.
Keep your skin clear and calm and purify your pores with our Spot Control Bundle.
Powered by natural ingredients such as Inulin Prebiotics, Activated Charcoal and Willow Bark, it contains a 3-step routine to cleanse, soothe and bring your skin into balance.
Spot Control Bundle
Bring your skin back into balance with this natural spot-control routine
€60,95
STEP 1: PURIFYING FACE MASK 50ml
Deep clean your pores in just 15 minutes with our weekly-use face mask. Powered by Activated Charcoal and mattifying Bentonite Clay, it gently draws out impurities using nature’s best purifiers.
STEP 2: FOAMING FACE WASH
Our refreshingly gentle foam face wash controls spots and balances skin. With no drying alcohol or foaming agents but plenty of microbiome-balance Prebiotics, it makes light work of deep cleansing your pores and is our go-to face wash for releasing sunscreen from spot-prone skin.
STEP 3: OIL BALANCE MOISTURISER 50ml
Soothe and balance spot-prone skin after sun exposure with this spot-calm moisturiser. Packed with microbiome-balancing Prebiotics, it’s also bursting with redness-reducing Willow Bark, a gentle, natural alternative to salicylic acid.
Browse our full range of skin care for spots and acne-prone skin.
We hope you have found our guide to sunscreen and spots helpful. For more help finding the best natural and organic sunscreen, take our SPF quiz. Alternatively, you can contact our friendly UK customer care team on 01403 740350 or on social via @GreenPeopleUK
Reviewed by:
This blog post has been reviewed by Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of Green People, who has 25+ years of experience in the natural and organic beauty industry. A recognised leader in the field of organic beauty, Charlotte helped inform the UK's first organic beauty standards and was voted the People’s Choice in the 2023 and 2024 list of Who’s Who in Natural Beauty. A published author, she wrote the organic beauty bible ‘Naturally Gorgeous’. Previously, she qualified as a nurse and spent over 10 years working in pharmaceuticals
If you wish to republish this content, please credit Green People as the original creator with a link to ‘Why does sun cream bring me out in spots?' Please do not use an affiliate link.
The contents of this blog post should be treated as information only. Please consult a medical professional if you have any health-related concerns or symptoms. If you use retinol to help smooth your skin after spot damage or prescription acne products, please check with your GP or dermatologist to see if you need additional precautions during sun exposure.
