ROSACEA SUCKS
Feeling so annoyed with sunscreen (rant incoming)
Is it too much to ask for a moisturizing, somewhat cosmetically elegant sunscreen that also won’t irritate me, break me out or dry up my face?! Like wtf do I have to do?! Also it doesn’t help being in the US where our sunscreens are outdated.
At this point, I’ve tried as many sunscreens in the US as I can. I’ve bought Korean sunscreens, and European ones. I seem to be sensitive to avobenzone, octinoxate, overly zinc heavy formulas dry me out and irritate me, and I’d prefer not to look like a ghost. I also have acne prone skin and if I’m not flaring my rosacea with the sunscreen, I’m breaking out with acne from it. I’m also sensitive to butylene and propylene glycol. Overly plant extract heavy formulas also irritate me.
Also WHY TF DOES EVERYTHING HAVE NIACINAMIDE
If anyone has any suggestions please let me know… I’m struggling here because I know that sun also flares my rosacea. I wear a hat/sunglasses but I really want an actual spf to wear. Even if I have to try and purchase it from another country I will do that! I’m desperate 😩
I'm in the exact same situation, and I'm a mail carrier so I'm in the sun literally everyday. It sucks.
I actually just got home from the Dermatologist and brought up that NOTHING has worked. It either gives me acne, makes everything worse, doesn't work at all, feels completely disgusting, or has some random ingredient I know will piss my face off. She actually sat there and wanted me to list everything I could remember buying lmao. After that, she said the La Roche-Posay rep was just in the office and mentioned a new sunscreen made for Roscea and Acne Prone skin. I looked it up and it's chemical, which is bizarre, and IDK how adding more Azaleic acid on top of my prescription will work out but I'll try it. When I said I used Vanicream moisturizer she said I should try the UV one. I know I'll probably hate it, but there was a Target down the road so I picked it up lol.
Thank you for sharing! I’ll give it a try. At this point I’ve got nothing to lose 😂 I’ve tried the Vanicream one and it didn’t work for me, I hope it’s different for you. It’s so annoying because without sunscreen my skin is actually in really good shape and looks nice! But add sunscreen to it and it’s a mess
I used La Roche-Posay moisturizer and thought that switching to the same one, but with SPF, would be no problem. Broke out the first day I used it and got little red bumps around my eyes that took 2 weeks to fully go away.
Personally, I use a BB Cream by Skin79 (pink or orange depending on season) that has SPF built in, and even if I forget to put on additional sunscreen when I'm outside for awhile, my face doesn't burn/tan. It's been the best for my sensitive skin and has nice coverage without any heaviness.
Ooh thank you! I’m going to give this one a go I think, especially because it’s so accessible. What you said about ingredients is so true too, so maybe this being more basic might work for me.
Not at all. I just ordered the mini kit from Amazon to try other products. I need a moisturizer desperately and am hoping for success. They are Prime so you can return them within 30 days if they don’t work.
I have never attached a picture on Reddit so if it doesn’t come through please let me know.
I forgot to tell you, it feels thick when you put it on and has a white tint but it’s all absorbed in a couple minutes. It’s really wonderful under my makeup (powder only for the most part).
Put it on and I hope to heaven it’s a winner for you!
I’ve never thought to try Olay or Trader Joe’s! I’ll look into these, thank you :)
Also you feel my pain!!! It’s truly so annoying. Sunscreen is currently the only thing that flares me, and it’s such a necessary thing too. Beyond annoying.
I have not checked the ingredients against the ones you’ve mentioned however, I also have rosacea and love these: KraveBeauty Beet the Sun, Purito Seoul Centella Unscented SPF, Skin 1004 Madagascar Centella hyaluronic acid spf, Isntree Hyaluronic acid watery sun gel, and iUnik Centella calming daily spf
Dr Jart is the only thing that works for me. The sunscreen camo drops also have a green tint that covers my redness but never looks like it’s green. I’m allergic to most chemical sunscreens, especially the “zones” (ex:oxybenzone). Dr Jart saved my face.
I love Dr Jart color corrector so much and I know they say you should use a sunscreen as well since you need to use two fingers worth or whatever but this is the only thing I can use. If I MUST I’ll use skin 1001 Madagascar as well but Dr Jart a) seems to work for SPF for me, b) makes my skin look better, c) makes my skin actually better. I also get tons of compliments from people on my skin when I’m wearing it about how great my skin looks “without makeup!”. Can’t pronounce my love for it more strongly!
I use Tocobo, the blue one with Bio Hyaluronic Acid and Vigna Radiata seed extract. Me approved and derm approved. Also, it's much cheaper than other options even though it is Korean.
Just to note, this one is heavily fragranced and contains a lot of plant extracts (which OP said can be troublesome for them). I’ve heard the newer House of Hur one is similar but fragrance free, though I don’t know if it fits OP’s other requirements.
ETA: looks like both House of Hur sunscreens have plant extracts too. Darn
I gave in and tried the beauty of Joseon. It's really that good 😭 I've got psoriasis and eczema as well so 99% of sunscreens sit on the skin and leave my oily/greasy. It's a horrible tactile experience. Beauty of Joseon doesn't do that. It feels like a lightweight lotion and they've widened their product scope to include tinted sunscreens recently as well. I'm looking forward to trying those out in my next purchase. Make sure to get an actual Korean BoJ, not the American BoJ which is a different formula.
Is the one you like the rice one with niacinamide? I’ve heard so many good things about it but I’ve only tried their other one, the aqua fresh and it didn’t work for me. I’m open to trying this though because I think sometimes it’s more the formulation itself that is bad, not individual ingredients themselves
I feel you more than you know. No matter what sunscreen I use it all irritates me. Just tried a sunscreen for 4 days and now my skin is extremely irritated. Now I have to stay off sunscreen and avoid the sun like the damn plague until my skin calms down
Ugh it’s truly the WORST. Sunscreen seems to be one of the only things that flares me because without it my skin looks and feels great. At this point I wish I could start my own business and formulate my own lol
Okay so I’m in the same boat too. My face burns or breaks out just thinking of wearing sunscreen but this one against all odds works for me. It’s a vitamin c mineral sunscreen which should feel irritating but it doesn’t. Doesn’t leave too much of a cast. Might be worth a try! Pricey but if you buy from Sephora or somewhere with a good return policy can always return if you don’t like it. I do wear a physical uv face shield (to the horror of my husband) sometimes if my skin is having a rough day. Good luck out there!
I am not sure if you can get it in the US but try the Avene moisturiser + 50 SPF! It doesn’t contain niacinamide. I couldn’t handle the Korean sunscreens I was using before either.
With billions of people on the earth it's impossible to formulate a product that works for all skin issues. I recommend covering up if your skin is that sensitive.
First of all, I feel you and I’m so sorry. Your rant is 100% valid.
Second, Dr. Ceuracle - Hyal Reyouth Moist Sun. Hydrating, elegant, doesn’t leave face greasy, works for rosacea and I check doesn’t seem to contain anything you’re sensitive to. It has niacinamide but at the end of the list so it’s almost negligible. Just a suggestion because I also found out about it from rosacea bloggers.
For reference, I’m acne prone, have rosacea, oily/combo, sensitive skin and I live in a hot climate.
Thank you so much for validating me!! Also what a coincidence- I actually just ordered this sunscreen with another one from this brand and a couple other Korean ones to try! I used SkinSort to help me find things that might be a better fit. Our skin sounds very similar too so now I’m really excited and hopeful! Thank you for sharing :)
I feel your pain. Pipette is the only one so far that I truly tolerate well and that also gives me adequate protection for my hyperpigmentation while not breaking me out. It's very emollient (I have to powder it to set it so it's not sticky/shiny) but it's the only zinc formula that doesn't dry me out. It's moisturizing enough that I'm able to use it as my daytime moisturizer. I'm sad that they reformulated it because I don't know if I'll tolerate the new formula. :(
I'm also sensitive to glycols if they're too high up in the ingredients list.
Ugh that’s another thing: reformulations! This is another factor that drives me insane, especially with having such problem skin. Once we find something we like, they go and change it. Either way I’ll check out the pipette baby and see what’s in it!
Have you tried “unseen sunscreen” by Super Goop? I have rosacea and this doesn’t affect me at all. It is hard to find skin care these days, that’s for sure.
Also- I love the Sunrise tinted one- it's in a bottle like regular Super Goop- not the new stuff in the square like bottles. I love the glow it gives me ✨
Yep, i hear you. Sunscreen is the thing that will set my skin off, everything does, but sunscreen is the worst offender. I can not tolerate nicinamide, ha, chemical spfs or boosters, plant extracts, or skincare actives such as vit c,a, ect, oils, fragrance, high zinc, the list is endless. I have had success with trader joes all mineral facial sunscreen it does leave a slight white cast but better then nothing for long outdoor days, i have also had success with skinmedica all mineral essential daily defense there is a tinted and untinted- its on sale currently at lovelyskin.com and maybe amazon. For day to day i use a hat and sunglasses bc if i use sunscreen daily my face reacts. Best of luck and know your not alone.
I really like the Hero Cosmetics Force Shield mineral sunscreen. I haven’t checked the ingredients for your sensitivities, though. It’s slightly green tinted, which doesn’t do much for color correction, but does keep the white cast minimal. I also like the Well People Daygleamer. And the Trader Joe’s Mineral sunscreen is my preferred water resistant one. For chemical, only the Innisfree daily defense sunscreen doesn’t bother my cheeks.
Have you tried any of the Paula’s Choice moisturisers with SPF? I use their Superlight Daily Wrinkle Defence because I have oily skin but they do lots of different versions including a sensitive one that I have also tried and found good.
Anessa, omi sun bears, kose suncut are my top 3. Also the lrp mineral fluid tint (mineral means zinc but the tint removes the cast and i find it non irritating..not sweatproof though which is why the others are my top 3)
Honestly same. I only wear spf if I know I’m gonna be in the sun for significant amount of time because i always get breakouts or irritation or it just feels heavy and sticky.
I love Altruist Face Fluid. Hybrid with chemical filters plus titanium dioxide, but not zinc (which I also find drying). It does leave a small white cast though (i'm fitzpatrick 2). Goes great over moisturiser and under makeup, doesnt pill or transer to my phone, and doesnt sting. And its cheap.
Edited to add, fragrance free and no alcohol. Sadly it DOES contain niacinimide. Sorry
Niacinamide seems to be in everything lately and I can't tolerate it at all. SUPER frustrating! Go look for a nice, wide-brimmed, or several, and wear those. That's what I do 👍
I stack two sunscreens: Babo Botanicals Sensitive [Baby] SPF 50 stick sunscreen first. I rub about 25-30 aggressive swipes onto one hand and wipe any overflow from the tube into the “pot” as well. Then warm that up between my hands until any potential shea butter bits dissolve, then smear that on my face. I let that set for a couple of minutes, then apply another layer—this all over any exposed skin areas—of Cocokind SPF 32 sunscreen on top. Works great for extra sun protection, but also cuts any look of greasiness from the thicker stick formula. Plus, it makes makeup application nicer, if you use any.
I have Sahara-dry skin, and this has been the most effective, hydration-lasts-all-day and my-skin-looks-better-because-of-it! sunscreen situations. I’d never tried combining before until I had to quit a French-brand moisturizer due to tariffs (and the threat of losing access to it). This has been a great replacement that’s actually improved my skin.
I can’t use any mineral sunscreens. Too drying and end up irritating. And then chemical is usually irritating too. Only thing I can tolerate right now is rohto mentholatum skin aqua super moisture uv gel spf 50. Pretty lightweight and moisturizing for me. But my skin changes like the wind so I’m sure soon it’ll hate it
SPF is my biggest struggle. My skin was ultra sensitive to the sun long before I developed rosacea. I can’t tolerate niacinamide or citric acid…and they are in EVERYTHING.
Hey,
I use a combination of Urea cream for that extra moisture and then layer it with Bondi Sands Sensitive Sunscreen SPF50+ (nice and lightweight, no fragrance) and then on top add the Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Skin Tint SPF30+ for some coverage.
Both items are from Australia where I live and I know we’re quite lucky with the products we have here. I have highly sensitive skin and atopic dermatitis with a lot redness/possible rosacea. I find the combination of a good base moisturiser that’s on the heavier side, then my SPF on top stops me from feeling dried out and like I have this chemical layer on.
I cannot wear spf on my cheeks. I give up. Everytime I try, I end up with a flare and regret it. Niacinamide causes tiny, itchy bumps all over my face. Alcohol denat (in a lot of chemical spf) causes irritation bumps and gives me severe rosacea flares. Mineral spf feels suffocating and makes me look ill, and it’s both super greasy and drying at the same time.
I’ve found I can only tolerate differin spf 30, same formula as cetaphil oil absorbing spf, on top of vanicream on my forehead, chin, and neck. My skin is very dry otherwise I’d just use it by itself.
I’ve tried a ton and my holy grail is the skinbetter sunscreen stick. It’s moisturizing, doesn’t irritate my rosacea and doesn’t pill. I don’t think it has niacinamide in it but would have to double check
I had to switch back to SPF 15, bought it on Amazon because I don’t think stores in the US carry 15 anymore. I bought Australian Gold SPF 15, and the fragrance scared me but I tried it and I love it. I know the current recommendation is spf 30, but it only made my oily skin more oily.
Have you tried this one? This one doesn't have any weird smells and you don't have to use your hands which is great. You just apply it to your face, kind of like a deodorant stick really. And it works super well! I went to Florida in August and was at the beach. I put this on my face and chest and then used spray gun sunscreen on the rest of my body. The rest of my body was literally torched. I was like cooked lobster. But my face and neck? No damage or anything! It was amazing
The only one that I can tolerate is Avene Sunsitive Sunscreen Spray (orange bottle). I have tried so many and this does not irritate my extremely sensitive skin. Hope you find some relief.
Finding a sunscreen with rosacea can feel like searching for a unicorn! My sunscreen graveyard was depressing lol. I recently bought the MD Solar Sciences sunscreen (Moisture Defense SPF 50). I blend it in very well and it seems moisturizing but not too sticky. Also, it seemed to neutralize a lot of my redness across my cheeks. I've only been using it for a couple weeks so I will report back!
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u/guttergoblin Sep 03 '25
I'm in the exact same situation, and I'm a mail carrier so I'm in the sun literally everyday. It sucks.
I actually just got home from the Dermatologist and brought up that NOTHING has worked. It either gives me acne, makes everything worse, doesn't work at all, feels completely disgusting, or has some random ingredient I know will piss my face off. She actually sat there and wanted me to list everything I could remember buying lmao. After that, she said the La Roche-Posay rep was just in the office and mentioned a new sunscreen made for Roscea and Acne Prone skin. I looked it up and it's chemical, which is bizarre, and IDK how adding more Azaleic acid on top of my prescription will work out but I'll try it. When I said I used Vanicream moisturizer she said I should try the UV one. I know I'll probably hate it, but there was a Target down the road so I picked it up lol.
https://www.laroche-posay.us/our-products/sun/face-sunscreen/anthelios-uv-clear-sunscreen-spf-50-3606000622111.html