The 8 Best Sunscreens for Eczema, According to Derms

If you deal with eczema, you probably spend a lot of time trying to avoid triggers to keep symptoms like itching and redness at bay.

You're likely cautious when it comes to choosing skin care products and ingredients — especially sunscreen, which you should be using daily, and on large areas of your body.

"A sunscreen for eczema-prone skin should be gentle, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and free of parabens," says Dendy Engelman, MD, cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic in New York City. "It's also important to look for mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, instead of using chemical sunscreens, as it protects from harmful UV rays without penetrating the skin."

With that in mind, here are the best sunscreens for sensitive skin prone to eczema.

We chatted with dermatologists, who broke down the most important features of sunscreen for eczema-prone skin. Our top picks are based on their criteria, including:

• Active ingredients
• Added ingredients
• SPF
• Consistency

Find more information on how we choose and cover products here.

This mineral sunscreen contains zinc oxide and provides broad-spectrum coverage, which blocks all UV rays from getting to the skin, explains Marisa Garshick, MD, dermatologist at Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in New York City.

It's also high in SPF (50+).

"This sunscreen is free of chemical active ingredients and is both paraben-free and fragrance-free, making it a great option for sensitive skin," Dr. Garshick says. "It is a great option for summer days as it is also water-resistant."

Another cool feature of this sunscreen is that the bottle changes color when it's exposed to UV light, so you always know when to reapply.

This hydrating formulation contains a blend of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which work together to provide broad-spectrum coverage that won't irritate eczema-prone skin.

In addition, it contains soothing antioxidants that help reduce your exposure to free radicals in the environment that can damage your skin over time.

"This mineral sunscreen is fragrance- and paraben-free, making it a good option even for those with dry or sensitive skin," adds Dr. Garshick.

This easy-to-find, 100-percent mineral sunscreen provides coverage against both UVA and UVB rays using zinc oxide.

"It is especially great for those with sensitive skin as it is free of fragrance, parabens, phthalates and dyes, and it has been awarded the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance for those with sensitive skin," says Dr. Garshick.

"Additionally, it incorporates dry-touch technology to ensure that the sunscreen dries easily and won't leave the skin feeling greasy."

If you're looking for a tinted sunscreen that's safe for sensitive skin, this is a great brand to try.

It's ultra-light, fast-absorbing and goes on smooth, notes Dr. Garshick.

"It is easy to apply and also offers antioxidant protection through the Cell-Ox Shield Technology, meaning it combines titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to provide mineral-based coverage," she says. "It also comes in a non-tinted formulation for those who prefer that."

Spray sunscreens can often be too irritating for people with eczema-prone sunscreen, but this one is nice and gentle.

It's a mineral-based sunscreen that is also fragrance-free — two features that seriously cut down on irritation and don't amplify existing redness.

It's also water-resistant, which comes in handy if you're using it during a workout or a day at the beach or pool.

This sunscreen is also enriched with antioxidants, such as cocoa seed extract, algae extract and jasmine extract, which help ward off free radicals lurking in the environment that can compromise your skin health.

Eczema is one of the most common skin conditions in babies, often appearing within the first six months to 5 years, according to the National Eczema Association (NEA).

When shopping for the best sunscreen for babies with eczema, it's a good idea to avoid any fragrances and opt for a mineral sunscreen like this one from Neutrogena, which contains 100 percent zinc oxide.

It's also been awarded the NEA Seal of Acceptance.

"Even for the most reactive eczematous skin, it is tolerated," says Jodi LoGerfo, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, a doctor of nursing practice and family nurse practitioner certified in family medicine and dermatology.

As any parent knows, trying to apply sunscreen on an energetic and wiggly kid who's ready to enjoy fun in the sun can be challenging. That's where this mineral spray sunscreen can come in handy.

It offers both UVA and UVB protection, contains non-nano zinc oxide for a mineral-based application and is formulated with sunflower and safflower oils, which are gentle and moisturizing on eczema-prone skin.

It's also reef friendly and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Just be sure to reapply every 80 minutes if your kiddo is enjoying the water.

Badger is known for its natural and eco-friendly products, so it's no surprise it makes a mineral sunscreen formulated with sustainable, reef-safe ingredients that are gentle on eczema-prone skin.

This one is hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic (won't clog pores) and water- and sweat-resistant for up to 40 minutes. It won't cause irritation and leaves a glossy finish instead of a pale, white cast.

Sun protection is important for everyone to reduce the risk of skin cancer, but sunscreen is doubly crucial for people with eczema-prone skin because exposure to the sun's UV rays can often trigger a flare-up.

Heat can also be a factor that causes eczema to flare, according to the National Eczema Society, so, in addition to wearing sunscreen, it's a good idea to limit the amount of time you spend in the sun overall.

Here are some features dermatologists recommend looking for when shopping for a sunscreen for eczema-prone skin.

Mineral sunscreens contain ingredients that essentially sit on the skin's surface to ward off the sun's harmful UV rays, while chemical sunscreens are actually absorbed by your skin in order to provide protection.

Chemical sunscreens can unfortunately be quite irritating to eczema-prone skin because some contain ingredients such as oxybenzone and avobenzone that can cause allergic contact dermatitis, notes Dr. Engelman.

Not everyone with eczema will react to these ingredients, but to err on the side of caution, she recommends a mineral-based sunscreen that contains titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide, which are less irritating.

The AAD recommends using a sunscreen that offers an SPF of 30 minimum, which blocks 97 percent of the sun's UVB rays.

It's also a good idea to make sure a sunscreen offers broad-spectrum coverage, which means it protect against both UVA and UVB rays, notes Brendan Camp, MD, a Manhattan-based dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology.

Not all sunscreens are created equal when it comes to their consistency — and this quality matters, especially if you're prone to eczema.

Dr. Garshick recommends opting for a cream consistency that's easily spreadable.

"Creams or lotions are preferred forms of sunscreen for those with eczema as they tend to be the most hydrating," she says. "Since those with eczema tend to have dry skin, lightweight lotions or gels may be too drying and irritating on the skin."

The NEA notes that thicker sunscreen balms and stick sunscreens are best for people with this condition because they're less likely to contain alcohol, which can be drying and irritating.

When shopping for sunscreen for eczema-prone skin, you may also want to look for products that contain ceramides, an ingredient that helps to support the skin barrier.

"Squalane is another great ingredient for those prone to eczema, as it's a lipid that is naturally found in the skin and the natural moisture barrier that helps to nourish and moisturize the skin," says Dr. Garshick.

She also recommends shopping for sunscreens that contain hyaluronic acid, a humectant that can help to boost moisture, and niacinamide, which calms and soothes skin and helps to boost ceramide production, supporting the skin barrier.

Stay away from products that contain oxybenzone or avobenzone, as these are two common ingredients in chemical sunscreens that can cause irritation and contact dermatitis, notes Dr. Engelman.

Always check the "active ingredients" on the back of the sunscreen bottle or container — some that say they're "mineral-based" may contain both mineral and chemical sunscreens. Make sure the active ingredients are ‌only‌ zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide.

These can both be irritating to eczema-prone skin.

Some people may prefer powder sunscreens because they're easy to reapply, but Dr. Garshick says to steer clear: "Those with eczema may find powders to be too drying," she says.

Sunscreens with a high amount of alcohol can cause stinging and burning, per the NEA, so you should ideally use a product with little to no alcohol to avoid skin irritation.

Figuring out the amount of alcohol in a sunscreen can be difficult just by looking at the ingredient list, per the NEA, but if a sunscreen has the NEA Seal of Acceptance, that means it does not contain any alcohol.