7 Best Non-Comedogenic Sunscreen Formulas That Won’t Break You Out

We get it—you want to protect your skin from damaging UV rays without inciting a full-on breakout. The best non-comedogenic sunscreen formulas allow you to apply your daily SPF without having to sacrifice your hard-fought, clear skin. “Non-comedogenic just means that a formula doesn’t have ingredients that will clog the pores,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dara Spearman tells Vogue. “This is especially important for people with acne-prone skin. Like any beauty product, sunscreen formulas may contain ingredients that cause pore congestion, so be sure to look for labels such as ‘non-comedogenic’ and ‘oil-free.’”

Vogue’s Favorite Non-Comedogenic SPFs

• Best Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid Facial Sunscreen, $33
• Best for Redness: SkinCeuticals Clear Daily Soothing UV Defense, $54
• Best for Glowy Skin: Kosas DreamBeam Sunlit, $40
• Best Mineral: Sophie Pavitt Face Screentime Sunscreen, $38
• Best Oil-Free: EltaMD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen, $44

Enter a new wave of lightweight sunscreens that cater to your specific skin-care concerns, formulated with thoughtful ingredients that work harmoniously with even the most sensitive and acne-prone complexions, proving that sun protection and clear skin no longer have to be mutually exclusive. And even though autumn is in full swing, that doesn’t mean you should skip your daily SPF and save it only for bare-faced beach getaways.

Today’s top dermatologists and skin-care aficionados swear by the below SPFs to shield against UVA and UVB damage while keeping pores congestion-free. Scroll on to learn more.

Best Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid Facial Sunscreen

• Why We Love It: One of the industry’s most beloved drugstore and French pharmacy mineral sunscreens, La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios combats broad-spectrum UVA and UVB rays through sensitive skin-friendly titanium dioxide. Antioxidants, silica, vitamin E, and thermal spring water are featured too; plus, it’s another favorite of Dr. Spearman’s. “This oil-free formula helps to reduce shine (thanks to copolymers) and won’t incite any further breakouts,” she explains.
• Editor’s Experience: This is one of my favorite sunscreens of all time—a formula that put the whole “serum SPF” thing on the map. That said, it’s fabulously lightweight and never leaves traces of a white cast. Even years after my first test of it, I cannot believe it’s powered by mineral UV filters. —Kiana Murden, beauty shopping editor

Best for Glowy Skin: Kosas DreamBeam Sunscreen

• Why We Love It: Silicone-free, hypoallergenic, reef-safe, and cruelty-free, Kosas’s DreamBeam is a safe choice for acne-prone skin. While this formula doesn’t skimp on a glowy finish, you don’t have to fear looking (or feeling) like a full-on oil slick. “While protecting your skin from sun damage, the smart formula also blends skin-care ingredients like ceramides, peptides, galactoarabinan, bioflavonoids, allantoin, and glycoproteins,” Valerie Aparovich (a certified cosmetologist, aesthetician, and biochemist) said in our nontoxic-sunscreens guide. The radiant formula features a subtle sheen and amps skin’s moisture levels with ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
• Editor’s Experience: If I want a glowy base—either worn alone or under makeup—I reach for Kosas’s DreamBeam. What’s nice about it is that it gives a modern radiance that really illuminates the skin, so much so that I often forget that it’s really a sunscreen. Powered by peptides, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides, it also works wonders to moisturize and soothe skin too. —K.M.

Best Tinted: Ciele Tint & Protect SPF 50+

• Why We Love It: Ciele founder Nikki DeRoest created her tinted SPF with the goal of ensuring that UV protection didn’t feel like an chore when doing your makeup. “As both an artist and someone who has personally navigated breakouts, I’ve spent years analyzing ingredients and performance. The goal was to eliminate known pore-clogging triggers without compromising how the product looks, wears, or performs,” DeRoest previously said. As a result, the SPF 50 acts as a serum foundation, and boast barrier-supportive ingredients.
• Editor’s Experience: Ciele’s tinted SPF is my daily complexion product—for starters, the formula feels weightless and is tottaly acne-safe. Plus, it has surprisingly good coverage, that leaves behind a completely natural finish. —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer

Best Oil-Free: EltaMD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen

• Why We Love It: You’d be hard-pressed to find a dermatologist who doesn’t rave about this sunscreen. Its lightweight, oil-free formula glides on easily with no white cast, and it helps soothe oily and sensitive skin types prone to acne, rosacea, hyperpigmentation. Plus, it’s a favorite of board certified dermatologist Dr. Dara Spearman: “In addition to blending well with all skin tones, this sunscreen is formulated with 5% niacinamide which helps reduce the appearance of blemishes.” “It’s fragrance-free, paraben-free and non-comedogenic so it’s great for sensitive and acne prone skin. It contains micronized zinc oxide to protect your skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays.”

Best Mineral: Sofie Pavitt Face Screentime SPF

• Why We Love It: Renowned for her expertise in treating acne, Sofie Pavitt has introduced her own sunscreen. This formula starts with a non-comedogenic base, making it ideal for those concerned about clogged pores. According to board-certified aesthetic injector Hajrie Sulejmani, the SPF is more than just a shield against UV rays; it acts as a skincare hybrid. Lightweight yet moisturizing, it features vitamin E, glycerin, and ectoin to guard against environmental stress. Niacinamide is also included to gradually enhance skin brightness of any post-breakout dark spots.
• Editor’s Experience: It’s no secret that I’m a big believer in Sofie Pavitt’s philosophy, her products included, and it’s because I don’t have to fear any of them breaking out my breakout-prone skin. SPFs in particular are not an area where I venture into experimentation territory, since comedogenic ingredients mixed with summer sweat often cause unwanted acne. However, this SPF is so silky smooth, like a lightweight lotion. Plus, it’s hydrating enough that I skip my morning moisturizer when I use it. Zero pilling, zero pore-clogging ingredients, zero things I don’t love about it. —C.C.

Best Korean Sunscreen: CosRx Ultra Light Invisible Sunscreen

• Why We Love It: Created to combine the sensation of a moisturizing serum with robust sun protection, this sunscreen is impressively sheer. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Y. Claire Chang is a fan of the product too, previously saying it’s “formulated with aloe and niacinamide to calm the skin.” Plus, the formula features a milky serum-like texture, that feels featherlight, and absorbs fast.
• Editor’s Experience: This has been my all-time favorite K-Beauty sunscreen for three years and counting. Aside from being completely non-comedogenic, its serum-like texture feels like nothing on the skin. That said, I have to wait about two minutes for the SPF to fully dry down before moving on too makeup, to avoid pilling (but afterwards, products layers perfectly). —C.C.

Best for Redness: SkinCeuticals Clear Daily Soothing UV Defense

• Why We Love It: Prone to super-red, irritated skin? Look no further than this SPF from SkinCeuticals—a prestige brand dermatologists often recommend. While SkinCeuticals has several sunscreen options, this soothing formula aims to hydrate and calm inflamed complexions. Plus, it blends the best of both worlds with mineral sunscreen and chemical filters. The result? A white cast-free finish with a non-greasy feel.