How-to guide

How to Choose a Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin

Sunscreen is essential but a common cause of stinging and rashes. Here's how to choose one that protects without triggering reactive skin.

Why sunscreen trips people up

Daily SPF matters for everyone, but sunscreens are a frequent cause of stinging and rashes, partly from fragrance and partly from some chemical filters on very reactive skin.

The method

  1. Lean mineral: look for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which sit on the surface rather than absorbing.
  2. Choose fragrance-free, and scan for Parfum and the named allergens.
  3. Patch test a new SPF for a few days before using it on your face.
  4. Use enough and reapply: gentleness is no use if you under-apply.

Check the filters and fragrance fast

If a particular sunscreen stings, the cause is often fragrance or a specific filter. ClearaScan flags the ingredients you avoid on any SPF you scan, and keeps a Reaction Journal, a shared Care Circle so others can scan for you, and a Trusted Products list. (We co-founded ClearaScan and are not paid to mention it.)

More how-to guides

How to Decode a Confusing Ingredient Name

INCI names look like chemistry homework. Here's how to work out what an ingredient actually is, and whether it's one of your triggers.

How to Introduce a New Product Without Triggering a Flare

Adding products one at a time is the simplest way to protect reactive skin and pinpoint problems. Here's the safe way to do it.

How to Patch-Test a New Skincare Product at Home

A simple at-home patch test can catch a reaction before it reaches your face. Here's how to do one properly, and what it can and can't tell you.

How to Read a Skincare Ingredient Label (Without a Chemistry Degree)

A simple, step-by-step method for reading any skincare or cosmetic label, spotting hidden fragrance and allergens, and deciding whether a product is right for you.

A note on this content. The Sensitive Skin Lab publishes general educational information, not medical advice. If you suspect you have an allergy or sensitivity, consult a qualified dermatologist or allergist. Product formulations and labels change without notice, so always check the ingredients on the product itself.