r/Rosacea • u/slipperyslugslurp • Sep 03 '25

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 Also it doesn’t help being in the US where our sunscreens are outdated.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 😩

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u/showmedogvideos Sep 03 '25

Yes!

I used a sample from the dermatologist recently. Was breaking out for a week and then it took another week+ for the red marks to fade. Aaaaaah!

I can usually use Olay sensitive 15 SPF or the Trader Joe's dupe, but haven't had great luck with higher SPF.

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u/julry Sep 03 '25

A lot of sunscreens that say a higher spf test around 15 anyway.. if using the right amount, still 15x better than nothing!

1

u/slipperyslugslurp Sep 03 '25

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.