Your Sensitive Skin Needs Complete Protection from the Sun's Harmful Rays: Discover the Best Sunscreens for Sensitive Skin and How to Buy the Perfect Sunscreen for Yourself (2022)

Various studies claim that over 50% of women are highly prone to the risk of developing sensitive skin than men. Since you can’t just apply any sunscreen, you have a lot of questions in mind while putting it up on your face. The major query hovers around whether it will be suitable for your skin type. Yes, here we’re specifically talking about the sensitive skin type and will discuss how you can buy the best sunscreen for sensitive skin. This BP Guide helps you understand the various causes of sensitive skin, whether sensitive skin should go for sunscreen, searching for the ideal candidates of the best sunscreen for sensitive skin, and so on. Also, read on to check our top-30 selection of the best sunscreens available in India for sensitive skin types, and also get ready to educate yourself on what should be considered when looking for such sensitive issues.

Sensitive skin is identified when you are allergic to some skin products or encounter symptoms like itchiness, redness, inflammation, etc. Sensitive skin issues are rarely severe. Generally, you will be declared as having sensitive skin when your skin is more prone to reactions. Other signs could be roughness, flaky patches, swelling, peeling, open sores, yellow crusts on the skin, etc. This skin type can be generally treated by modifying your lifestyle and incorporating some skin-friendly products into your skin regimen. One such product is indeed the sunscreen for sensitive skin.

Knowing your sensitive skin type can help you approach your skincare regimen from the appropriate perspective because the level of sensitivity varies. The 4 sensitive skin varieties are as mentioned below:

If you are experiencing the following symptoms, these are significant signs to trigger sensitive skin:

Sunscreens are a barrier against the harmful UV rays that permeate the skin's protective layer each time you expose your skin to the sun. Therefore, it is advised to use sunscreen every day. While you might not see them immediately, sunscreens have long-term advantages that you will eventually feel. For these reasons you need to use sunscreen even for sensitive skin because you will always have to go for the application of a daily sunscreen, even in winters!

You should use enough sunscreen on your face to prevent those annoying red vein outbreaks and blotchiness. This can help delay the onset of acne and other damages caused by excessive sun exposure. Moreover, a sunscreen also acts as an excellent cosmetic option, protects you from skin cancer and prevents sunburns, eliminates premature aging, etc.

Given below are the some of the best-researched options of sunscreens for dry skin recommended by dermatologists:

Going for light ingredients is always preferable when buying the ideal sunscreen for sensitive skin. This vitamin C and ceramide sunscreen by Dr. Sheth is a unique formulation for Indian sensitive skin with SPF-50 PA+++. It also has hyaluronic acid to moisturise your dry skin apart from vitamin C, that’s good for repairing micro-pigmentation, and ceramide acts as a protective element to restore the weakened barrier. Moreover, it is travel-friendly, has a non-sticky texture, is super easy to apply and prevents your skin from damaging blue light. This sunscreen is available for just ₹ 439.00 on Nykaa.

This option is yet again an SPF-50 sunscreen that is offered by the Minimalist brand. It shields you against UVA and UVB radiations thanks to its broad-spectrum formulation. Instead of a single vitamin, it’s a multi-vitamin sunscreen consisting of vitamin A, B5, B3, E and F to hydrate, nourish and soothe your skin despite sun exposure. Also, the texture is relatively light and gives you a non-shiny, natural and moisturised look. Moreover, it suits every skin type, including sensitive skin. Get this Minimalist sunscreen for just ₹ 379.00 on Nykaa.

This SPF-50 sunscreen offers plenty of protection. It is a mineral-based sunscreen fortified with vitamin C to prevent the appearance of age spots, hyperpigmentation and wrinkles. It is water-resistant, has a non-greasy formulation, non-sticky consistency and is gentle enough for sensitive skin. Your skin irritability is gradually reduced, and irritation brought on by exposure to the sun is avoided. You can buy this sunscreen for ₹ 675.00 on Amazon.

This SunScoop Glow Sunscreen SPF-60 you can buy for ₹ 645.00 on Innovist. It is prepared with a creamy-marshmallow formulation that is all set to give the ultimate natural glow to your face in addition to sun protection. It has all the broad-spectrum and necessary UV filters to entice your everyday with needed protection. Additionally, it comes with licorice extract, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and vitamin E, all of which are crucial elements to protect your sensitive skin.

Earth Rhythm Ultra Defence Hybrid Sun Fluid is a sunscreen that offers the benefits of PA++++ and SPF-50. It provides excellent protection against UVA and UVB rays. The composition incorporates chemical and mineral filters to provide enduring shielding from the sun's rays. It is the ideal skincare solution and is entirely cruelty-free. This composition is water-resistant and suited for sensitive skin and all other skin types. Buy this sunscreen for just ₹ 357.00 on Earth Rhythm.

Our next option is an ultra-matte sunscreen with SPF-50 housed in a cute white packaging. This may be the best fit if you’re looking for a gel formulation that provides dry touch finishing. At the same time, it's sweat and water-resistant and one of the best sunscreens recommended by dermatologists in India for sensitive skin. It is the ideal anti-aging sun-care solution and offers the best-in-class UVA protection (highest PA rating) that functions as a sunscreen. Buy this broad-spectrum sunscreen now for just ₹ 625.00 on Re'equil.

Loaded with active ingredients like titanium dioxide, Oxynex ST, and Uvinel A Plus, etc., this Tvaksh sunscreen gel is a favourite choice for many. It comes with a super lightweight formula that works great as a primer too. After all, it doesn’t leave you with a sweaty finish after application. Even though it's a bit pricey, the features are worth it. You can buy its 30 gram sunscreen gel pack for ₹ 563.00 on Amazon.

Check out this next pick which boasts of an acne-specific formulation, SPF-30 sunscreen gel by Ipca. You can buy this sunscreen for just ₹ 635.00 on Amazon. To ensure it creates no issues, the product has no colour additives, harsh preservatives or chemicals. It is definitely an excellent option as a sunscreen for Indian skin that is acne-prone.

Your skin will feel moisturised and nourished after using this lightweight, quickly absorbing product. This product has aloe vera's beneficial properties and a lovely lemon fragrance. The sunscreen you need if you have sensitive skin is this one. It has undergone dermatological testing and provides the finest UV protection. Its 50 ml pack is available for ₹ 345.00 on Amazon.

The SPF-50 in this sunscreen lotion protects your skin from UV radiation. You can use this mixture on both your body and face. It is non-greasy and water and sweat-resistant. It contains nutritious oats and 100% active zinc oxide, making it suitable especially for sensitive skin. Additionally, this paraben-free, phthalate-free, fragrance-free sunscreen is hypoallergenic, dye-free, and available for just ₹ 1,499.00 on Amazon.

Look no further than this SPF-50+ formulation which is designed especially for skin that burns quickly if you're about to be exposed to intense sunlight or have a complexion that is particularly susceptible to UV rays. Its featherweight, melts-right-in texture makes it even more attractive because it is water-resistant and doesn't leave a chalky residue. You can buy this sunscreen for just ₹ 744.00 approx. on BoxofColor.

Paula's Choice Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid delivers broad-spectrum SPF-50 protection, a variety of antioxidants, and calming plant extracts, such as green tea and oat extract, to address signs of aging while blocking out UV rays. This is despite its fluid, satin-matte appearance. Get this sunscreen for just ₹ 780.00 on Amazon.

Formulated with a strong layer of antioxidants, this is a broad spectrum SPF-50 sunscreen gel by Brinton. You can buy its 50 gm pack for ₹ 915.00 on Amazon. This is a particular sunscreen for sensitive skin with a lightweight texture, non-greasy and smooth feel for an everyday look.

This K-beauty hit product may be the ideal fit if you’re looking for an aloe-vera enriched sunscreen cream. Housed in an easy application tube, this is also one of the best sunscreens for dry skin, recommended by various dermatologists. You can purchase this cream for ₹ 1,050.00 on Amazon. In addition to protection from sun damage and environmental concerns, this is also perfect for a radiant smooth finish.

The CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen for the body is made of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and has a broad-spectrum SPF-50. It creates a shield on the skin that protects against the sun's harmful rays without irritating your skin. It contains 3 crucial ceramides that help rebuild the skin's natural moisture barrier. The most sensitive skin types should use it. You can buy this sunscreen pack for ₹ 2,499.00 on Amazon.

Here’s one of our best Australian sunscreen picks available for ₹ 2,998.00 on Amazon. It is an SPF-30 formulation and doesn’t contain harsh chemicals like Octinoxate or Oxybenzone. Also, it contains no artificial fragrances or parabens that are super bad for sensitive skin. Its formulation provides water resistance for up to 40 minutes and is one of the best dermatologist-recommended sunscreens for sensitive skin.

Suncros Matte Finish Soft Gel is a matte finish, soft sunscreen gel that is available for just ₹ 663.00 on 1mg. It is made of a water-resistant formulation that protects your skin from harmful UV rays and is an excellent fit to improve your complexion. It contains all the chemical ingredients suitable and safe for sensitive skin. Moreover, this is a broad-spectrum sunscreen gel to protect you from UVA and UVB rays.

SPF-40 and UVA protection is guaranteed by Bello Photostable Sunscreen Emulgel, which contains all photostable components. A photostable sunscreen shields your skin from damaging rays and is non-comedogenic. This sunscreen gel is appropriate for regular, especially oily and acne-prone skin. However, this sunscreen also works best for protecting you from sunburns, tanning and premature aging. This hypoallergenic and water-resistant sunscreen can be bought for just ₹ 583.00 on 1mg.

The SPF-50 in this sunscreen lotion protects the skin from UV radiations. Avene offers it in a broad-spectrum range which has a non-sticky and non-greasy finish. This derma cosmetic product also emerged after it was backed up by science with a unique antioxidant complex for entire cellular protection. This sunscreen is available for ₹ 1,440.00 on Nykaa.

Unsun Mineral Tinted Sunscreen SPF-30 serves as both a primer and a colour corrector for those of you seeking coverage that looks natural. To keep your complexion youthful, it is blended with natural extracts, such as pore-tightening cucumber and brightening sweet orange. You can buy this sunscreen for ₹ 2,315.00 on Revolve.

Broad-spectrum UVA/UVB rays protection is offered by Neutrogena Mineral Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin with SPF-60+. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are used in the oil-free, ultra-light sunscreen lotion, which also uses prescreen technology, a blend of only natural components. It is chemical, fragrance, dye, and oil-free and water-resistant. This sunscreen is available for ₹ 1,800.00 on Amazon.

By triggering your skin's natural defenses, this face sunscreen for sensitive skin aims to prevent cellular damage and early aging. Its texture is creamy but non-greasy, making it ideal for dry and sensitive skin. It is a fragrance-free, non-comedogenic product that is water-resistant and does not leave a white cast. This is available for just ₹ 899.00 on Myntra.

This is another SPF-50 sunscreen gel is available for ₹ 712.00 on Flipkart. It is formulated with light chemical ingredients that are entirely safe for sensitive, dry skin. Thus, it is the best sunscreen for sensitive skin, primarily protecting your skin from sun damage. So, this may be the right fit if you’re looking solely for this purpose, along with the light formulation.

This large bottle of smooth SPF-50 lotion comes with a simple tube applicator that facilitates applying sunscreen to your face and body quickly before you leave the house. You can buy this premium Supergoop! Play Everyday Lotion SPF-50 for ₹ 2,555.00 on Revolve.

This sunscreen gel has 25% zinc oxide as the primary component. Zinc oxide is an efficient sunblock that helps block most UVA and UVB radiation. Additionally, it aids in lowering bacterial infection, inflammation and irritation. This unique formulation is available for just ₹ 779.00 on 1mg.

With its skin-loving essential components, including zinc oxide, hyaluronic acid, and natural plant extracts such as red algae, Tatcha's new smooth mineral sunscreen is made to function as a primer as well as a sunscreen. It fits nicely beneath the makeup. This premium sunscreen is available for ₹ 6,100.00 on Beauty Cosmetics.

Looking for a mineral solution that is light and integrates seamlessly? With the unique ingredient artemia salina, a plankton extract that naturally strengthens skin's UV resistance and combats heat-induced redness, SkinCeuticals Mineral Radiance UV Defense Sunscreen SPF-50 fluid is just that. Go buy this tinted sunscreen for ₹ 2,456.00 on BoxofColor.

Skin Q Sun Protect Gel is all set to offer you the most required features you need for sensitive skin. It is equipped with high-quality vitamin C, is non-sticky, non-comedogenic, and also helps in skin brightening apart from sun damage protection. You can buy this sunscreen from Skin Q for just ₹ 790.00.

This broad spectrum SPF-80 lotion from FCL is lightweight, non-greasy, and boosts skin protection and resistance to UV, blue, infrared and high-intensity visible light. Despite all these merits, this sunscreen also helps to treat hyperpigmentation and provides anti-aging therapy. You can buy this 50 ml sunscreen pack for ₹ 1,075.00 on FCL Skincare.

Oliva's sunscreen formula is highly suitable for dry skin to provide sun protection. It protects against damage brought on by a wide range of dangerous UV rays and is a secure blend of a chemical and physical sunscreen. It is a non-comedogenic product without endocrine-disrupting substances (EDCs). As it shields your skin from tanning, dullness and pigmentation, regular use can help you achieve an even skin tone. Both men and women can use it. Get this for ₹ 645.00 on Oliva Skin & Hair Clinic.

When buying a sunscreen choose one that is suitable for your skin type and effective. Here is a list of the factors to consider for selecting the ideal one. We’ll describe an easy 4-step guide to buying the best sunscreen for sensitive skin in India. So, here it goes!

Firstly, SPF or sun protection factor doesn’t tell you anything about the presence of UVA or UVB protection. It tells you how much it can block the sun's radiation. There are different levels of SPF protection like SPF-15, SPF-30, SPF-50, etc. SPF-15 blocks 93% of UVB radiation, whereas SPF-30 blocks 97%, and SPF-50 blocks 98%. If you wear a sunscreen with SPF-50, it will take you 50 times longer to get a sunburn than if you don't.

You can use sunscreen with SPF-20 or lower if you spend most of your time indoors. It is advisable to liberally apply a sunscreen with SPF-30 or more if you are frequently on the go and exposed to the sun. But if you neglect to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, none of this would matter.

Broad-spectrum means you will get protection for both UVA and UVB rays. So, you must check what kind of UV rays your sunscreen protects you from. It is also called the spectrum of activity. The sunscreens providing broad-spectrum protection sometimes even have a separate UVA logo.

The long wavelength of UVA rays can reach the skin's deeper layers. Over time, UVA causes skin damage that can prematurely age your skin and cause wrinkles and age spots. Sunburn is caused by UVB rays, which have a shorter wavelength and can penetrate less of the skin's surface. So, you need good protection from both UV light radiations.

Your skin is well-protected by minerals, including zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and avobenzone, which help reflect sunlight. These substances are "broad spectrum," which protect your skin by blocking UVA and UVB radiation. Retinyl palmitate, often known as vitamin A, is something you should avoid because it has been linked to skin tumors.

So, sunscreens use different ingredients to block UV light. Majorly these ingredients are classified as mineral sunscreens and chemical sunscreens. To let you decide on the most effective sunscreen, it’s best to go through the practical differences. Physical or mineral sunscreens have either titanium dioxide or zinc oxide as the main ingredients, whereas chemical sunscreens contain more complex ingredients. Both of these types can be broad-spectrum sunscreens.

It is preferred to go for physical sunscreens, especially when you have sensitive skin. Physical ingredients are also called organic ingredients. However, either type is acceptable when you don’t have sensitive skin. Both categories have their pros and cons.

Sunscreens can be purchased as lotions, creams, or even sprays. Look for a texture that will absorb easily into your skin when selecting your sunscreen. For instance, whilst a sunscreen with a matte feel is ideal for oily skin, a creamy alternative nourishes dry skin. Avoid false information as well. Despite the fact that DIY sunscreens don't work and may even worsen skin damage, reports and research indicate that they are very popular on Pinterest.

Even while sunscreens from other nations may be more stylish, this isn't a good enough excuse to wait "for the best alternative" until the FDA approves them. Although you typically think of wearing sunscreen first when the weather gets warm, it's actually a good idea to do so all year long.

For applying sunscreen, there are some additional guiding principles. It's crucial to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, especially if you're outside, as SPF ratings don't necessarily indicate how long you should spend outside. Chemical sunscreens take 15-20 minutes to start functioning, whereas physical sunscreens are effective right away.