Sunscreen for rosacea: what to look for

A good sunscreen for rosacea is broad-spectrum, SPF 30 or higher, water-resistant and fragrance-free. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says a sunscreen with zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or both is the least likely to irritate rosacea skin. Sun protection matters in rosacea because the AAD calls the sun one of the most frequent causes of flares, for people of all skin tones and at any time of year. This guide explains what each label term means, what to try if sunscreen stings, and how to use it well. It assumes a doctor has confirmed rosacea. If you have not been diagnosed, see a doctor about lasting facial redness.

For the basics of the condition, see what rosacea is.

Why sun protection matters in rosacea

The AAD says the sun can worsen rosacea at any time of year. It says this is so common that the sun is one of the most frequent causes of a rosacea flare. A few minutes of sunlight on rosacea-prone skin can lead to flushing and redness that are hard to control.

NIAMS, the skin institute of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), recommends a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher made for the face, every day. It says this protects against the sun's UV rays and visible light. The NHS gives the same advice: a high SPF sunscreen of at least SPF 30, every day.

The AAD includes sunscreen in every rosacea treatment plan, along with a gentle cleanser and moisturizer. It says using them as directed helps you get the most out of treatment.

The sun affects rosacea skin in more than one way. The AAD says time in the sun can lead to unexpected flushing that lasts for hours. It also says some people notice that their redness gets worse or their skin feels more sensitive outdoors, and some develop an itchy rash or bumps after being in the sun.

What to look for on the label

Label term	What it means	Source
Broad spectrum	Protects against both kinds of UV rays, UVA and UVB	FDA
SPF 30 or higher	SPF shows mainly how well it protects against sunburn	AAD, NHS, NIH, FDA
Water resistant	Tested to stay effective for 40 or 80 minutes of sweating or swimming	FDA
Fragrance-free	No added scent. The AAD says to avoid products labeled only "unscented"	AAD
Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide	The two mineral ingredients, least likely to irritate rosacea	AAD

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) explains the terms. It says broad-spectrum sunscreens protect against both forms of UV radiation, UVA and UVB. The SPF number mainly shows protection from UVB, the rays that cause sunburn. Products labeled water resistant must say whether they stay effective for 40 or 80 minutes when you swim or sweat. The FDA also says no sunscreen is waterproof. All sunscreens wash off eventually.

If sunscreen stings

The AAD says even sunscreen can irritate rosacea skin. If a sunscreen irritates yours, it suggests looking for one that contains:

• Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or both. These are the mineral ingredients.
• Silicone. The AAD says it may appear on the label as silicone, dimethicone or cyclomethicone.
• No fragrance. Choose "fragrance-free." If the label says only "unscented," the AAD says to choose another sunscreen.

The AAD also says to test skin care products before using them on your face. Try a new sunscreen on a small patch of skin first. Skinli's guide to patch testing a new product shows how.

Mineral and chemical sunscreens

Sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are called mineral sunscreens. Sunscreens made with other active ingredients are often called chemical sunscreens. The AAD's rosacea pages say a fragrance-free mineral sunscreen is the least likely to irritate, and suggest switching to a mineral one if a sunscreen irritates your skin. They name no other type of sunscreen to avoid.

Avoiding a white cast

Some mineral sunscreens leave a white layer on the skin, especially on darker skin tones. The AAD suggests two ways to avoid it: a micronized mineral sunscreen, where the mineral is ground into finer particles, or a tinted mineral sunscreen.

Tint has another use. For people using a prescription cream with encapsulated benzoyl peroxide, which can make skin more sensitive to sunlight and indoor light, the AAD mentions a tinted, broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.

How to apply it

• Cover all exposed skin. The AAD says to apply sunscreen to all skin that clothing does not cover.
• Every day, all year. The AAD says the sun can worsen rosacea in any season, and that sunscreen is essential even on cloudy days.
• Reapply. The FDA says to reapply at least every two hours, and more often when swimming or sweating.
• Let skin dry first. The AAD says moisturizer applied to dry skin is less likely to burn or sting.

More than sunscreen

The AAD says to seek shade, stay out of the midday sun, and wear sun-protective clothing, including a wide-brim hat and sunglasses with UV protection. The FDA advises limiting time in the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest. The NHS suggests avoiding heat, sunlight and humid conditions when possible.

Heat is another common rosacea trigger. The guide to rosacea triggers covers how to find your own.

Common sunscreen mistakes

A few habits reduce how well sunscreen protects rosacea skin:

• Buying "unscented" in place of "fragrance-free." The AAD says to choose fragrance-free, and to pick another sunscreen if the label says only unscented.
• Treating SPF as a timer. The FDA says some people wrongly believe SPF relates to how long they can stay in the sun. SPF relates to the amount of sun exposure, which depends on the time of day and where you live. The sun is stronger in the middle of the day.
• Believing a sunscreen is waterproof. The FDA says no sunscreen is waterproof, and all sunscreens eventually wash off. Water-resistant labels say whether protection lasts 40 or 80 minutes when you swim or sweat.
• Skipping cloudy days or winter. The AAD says the sun can worsen rosacea at any time of year, and that sunscreen is essential even on cloudy days.
• Missing spots. The AAD says to apply sunscreen to all skin that clothing does not cover. Rosacea can reach the ears, neck and upper chest, according to the AAD.
• Leaving the bottle in the sun. The FDA says not to expose sunscreen containers to direct sun, and to wrap them in a towel or keep them in the shade on hot days.

Sun and darker skin tones

The AAD says the sun is a common rosacea trigger for people of all skin tones. On darker skin, early rosacea is often missed, and flushing may show only as a warm feeling on the cheeks. Daily sunscreen is part of rosacea care whatever your skin tone.

White cast is the most common complaint about mineral sunscreen on darker skin. The AAD's answer is a micronized or tinted mineral sunscreen, as described above.

Sunscreen and makeup

The AAD says makeup is fine with rosacea if it does not irritate the skin. It suggests a mild, fragrance-free moisturizing cream under a light liquid foundation, and water-based or powder makeup, which is less likely to irritate. A green-tinted concealer can hide redness. A tinted mineral sunscreen can give some color on its own.

Sun protection after laser or light treatment

If a dermatologist treats your rosacea with a laser or light device, sun protection becomes part of recovery. The AAD says to stay out of the sun and protect your skin when you must be outdoors, to prevent side effects. It says this helps prevent permanent scars. Follow the aftercare instructions your dermatologist gives you. The guide to how rosacea is treated describes laser and light options.

Sunscreen for children with rosacea

Few children get rosacea, the AAD says, but for those who do, it recommends sunscreen every day before going outside, on all skin that clothing does not cover, such as the face, ears and hands. The sunscreen should contain titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or both, say broad-spectrum, water-resistant and SPF 30 or higher on the container, and be fragrance-free. The FDA says sunscreen is not recommended for babies under six months, and to ask a doctor first.

Sunscreen in a full routine

In the morning, sunscreen joins the gentle cleanser and moisturizer that the AAD says every rosacea treatment plan includes. The guide to skincare for rosacea covers the rest of the routine and the ingredients to avoid.