11 Top Allergy-Free Sunscreen Reviews To Protect Your Skin – 2024
Cover your face with these itch-free sunblocks and keep the sun away from your skin.
Nichelle Temple is an NYC-based esthetician and the owner of Inderma Studio with over a decade of experience in microcurrent, HydraFacial, and holistic skin care treatments. She is passionate about using professional-grade and organic products as well as cutting-edge technology to help her clients experience instant and illuminating results.
Read full bio of Nichelle Temple
Experience: 3 yearsKirtana has a postgraduate degree in mass communication and journalism from St. Joseph’s College, Bengaluru, and 3 years of professional experience. She developed a deep passion for writing after reading the brilliant works of Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl and has chosen a career that is driven by creativity.
Read full bio of Kirtana Divakar
Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
Read full bio of Shiboli Chakraborti
Experience: 3 yearsSwathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach.
Read full bio of Swathi E
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Finding the best allergy-free sunscreen can be more challenging than you think, as various ingredients can affect people in unique ways. No matter what beauty products you choose, making sure the ingredients don’t affect you adversely is a prime concern. Imagine getting all the makeup products that suit your skin, and the sunscreen makes your skin swell up! Nightmare right? Sunscreen is an essential part of your beauty regime, and it cannot be ignored once you step outside the house. However, if the ingredients in your sunblock give you rashes, there is no point in torturing your skin with it. To ensure your skin is safe from UV rays and allergens, you need to invest in sunscreen free of allergies. Thanks to development in the makeup industry, various brands are pooling to make sunscreen free of all problems. Here is a list of 11 allergy-free sunscreens that keep your skin glowing and pretty.
In This Article
Stun The Sun With Our Favorite 11 Allergy-Free Sunscreen Reviews
1. Best Reef-Safe:Babyganics SPF 50+ Sunscreen Lotion
With this physical titanium dioxide sunscreen, you get broad-spectrum protection that uses mineral oxides to create a barrier between your skin and the harmful rays of the sun. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide ensure that there is a protective layer on your skin to deflect the harmful rays of the sun instead of absorbing into your skin, thereby protecting you from sunburn and other forms of sun damage. Enjoy using it on the beach without having to worry about the product causing damage to our oceans as it has no oxybenzone and octinoxate, making this a reef-safe choice. Moreover, the brand uses a mix of oils such as tomato, sunflower, cranberry, black cumin, and raspberry seed oils that help in nourishing the skin too. Many reviewers say that this sunscreen blends easily and does not leave a white cast. Additionally, this allergy-free sunscreen for swimming is also made without parabens, phthalates, and PABA, making this ultra-safe for your skin.
- Mineral sunscreen
- Does not let sun rays filter into the skin
- Has no nanoparticles
- Reef safe
- No PABA
- No phthalates
- No parabens
- Broad spectrum protection
- Lasts for up to 80 minutes of swimming and sweating
- May leave a white cast
2. Best Non-Comedogenic:Sun Bum Face 50 Sunscreen
Great for everyday use, this is a hypoallergenic face sunscreen with SPF 50 that offers no-nonsense protection against the skin for your face. This is approved by dermatologists and is non-comedogenic, making this allergy-free sunscreen not only effective against UVA and UVB rays but also non-pore-clogging. Packed with the goodness of vitamin E, this keeps your skin hydrated yet is oil free, which gives this a sheer touch when you apply it. Reef-friendly and water resistant for up to 2 hours, you can use this sunscreen on the beach or for outdoor sports too. Being free of fragrance, animal cruelty, and parabens are added benefits that you get by choosing this allergy-free sunscreen. To get a better understanding of the product, you can check out the tester’s experience in this video on YouTube.
- Fragrance free
- Oil free
- No parabens
- Non comedogenic
- Contains vitamin E
- Has a sheer touch
- Reef safe
- Water resistant for up to 2 hours
- No animal cruelty
- Contains avobenzone
Did You Know?The first sunscreen was made only with SPF 2! It was developed by Franz Greiter in 1938 after he got sunburnt while climbing Mt. Piz Buin.
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The overwhelming 10,028 positive reviews on Amazon show how popular this product is with happy users.
3. Best For Sensitive Skin:Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen SPF 30+
Tested by dermatologists and designed to be safe for our oceans, investing in this allergy-free sunscreen made for sensitive skin is undoubtedly a great choice. Made without the main culprits that can adversely affect our oceans reefs, this sunscreen has no oxybenzone or octinoxate, making this safe for use on beaches or when you go for a swim in the ocean. Zinc oxide is the main ingredient that fights UV damage by not allowing it to enter your skin as you go about your day without worrying. This sunscreen is formulated without any fragrance or parabens, making this a great choice for the planet and the skin. Having no active chemical ingredients make this safer for sensitive, allergy-prone skin types. Go ahead and check out this YouTuber’s video to see the tester’s experience of this chemical-free sunscreen.
- Tested by dermatologists
- Designed for sensitive skin
- No fragrance
- No active chemicals
- No oxybenzone or octinoxate
- Broad spectrum protection
- Mineral sunscreen
- Needs reapplication every 40 minutes for best protection
Babyganics SPF 50+ Sunscreen Lotion Best Reef-Safe | Sun Bum Face 50 Sunscreen Best Non-Comedogenic | Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen SPF 30+ Best For Sensitive Skin | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 0.78 Pounds | 3.1 Ounces | 0.31 Pounds |
| Dimensions | - | 4 x 0.5 x 0.5 inches | 6.3 x 2.8 x 1.4 inches |
| Weight | - | 3.1 Ounces | - |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 25,319 | 10,028 | 6,137 |
| Price | $19.49 | $13.79 | $13.21 |
4. Best Oxybenzone-Free:Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen Mineral Lotion SPF 70
If you are looking for broad-spectrum protection against the sun that is also allergy free and suitable for sensitive skin, this sunscreen is going to be your favorite. Made with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, this sunscreen forms a powdery matte physical barrier on your skin to bounce off the rays of the sun before they can infiltrate into your skin and cause any damage. Using the goodness of nature’s bounty, this has a combination of ingredients such as kakadu plum, eucalyptus, and red algae that are all packed with rich antioxidants to fight signs of aging and keep your skin nourished. Apart from being hypoallergenic, this sunscreen for mature skin has no harsh chemicals and is also formulated to be free of oxybenzone, paraben, phthalate, PABA, petrolatum SLS, dye, and oil.
- Broad spectrum SPF 70
- Made with botanical ingredients
- No oxybenzone
- Dermatologist-tested
- No paraben
- No phthalate
- No PABA
- No petrolatum
- No SLS
- No dye
- No oil
- Leaves a white cast
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It has gained over 27,780 positive reviews on Amazon, making it an all-time best-seller.
5. Best Cruelty Free:Babo Botanicals Sheer Zinc Sunscreen SPF 30
Looking for a mineral sunscreen that is good for sensitive, allergy-prone skin and absorbs into the skin quickly? Try this allergy-free, mineral-based sunscreen that is made of zinc oxide as the only active ingredient to form a physical barrier between your skin and the rays of the sun. It absorbs into the skin quickly to give you protection that is sheer to touch. It is also water resistant and uses non-nano zinc and the brand’s nutri-soothe complex, making this safe for use by babies and adults alike and great for delicate, sensitive skin types. This thoughtfully formulated zinc oxide sunscreen is free of a host of allergens such as gluten, soy, dairy, peanut, almond, and walnut and this allergy-free sunscreen is sure to give you safe and effective protection. It also contains the goodness of jojoba, aloe vera, and sunflower extracts amongst its ingredients.
- Sheer touch
- No harmful chemicals
- Clinically tested
- B Corp-certified
- Designed for sensitive skin
- Reef safe
- Cruelty free
- Spray format for easy use
- Requires reapplication within frequent intervals to avoid tanning completely
6. Best Against Sun Damage:Supergoop! PLAY SPF 50 Everyday Lotion
Save time by combining the 2 important skincare steps of moisturizing and wearing sunblock with this allergy-free sunscreen lotion that comes with broad-spectrum protection of SPF 50. The good news is that this is also light on the skin while it combats uncompromisingly both UVA and UVB rays to help your skin fight sun damage. Esthetician Nichelle Temple says, “UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and contribute to premature aging. The UVB rays contribute to sunburns and primarily affect the outer layer of the skin.” With no white cast, this sunscreen lotion absorbs into the skin and leaves a light, refreshing scent. Water and sweat resistant for up to 80 minutes and reef friendly, this sunscreen is loved by athletes and you can take it for a swing to the beach or when you go out for a run in the morning. Ingredients like sunflower and rosemary leaf extracts infused in this sunscreen are rich in antioxidants and keep your skin nourished and protected well. Non sticky and light, dab it on to your face and body to beat the sun in a giffy.
- No white cast
- Moisturizing
- In lotion format for easy use
- Can be used on face and body
- Protects against both UVA and UVB rays
- Refreshing smell
- Non sticky
- Lightweight formula
- Contains avobenzone
Did You Know?Sugergoop! has started the ‘Ounce by Ounce’ giving program to donate sunscreen pumps to different schools and communities across 27 states of America, protecting the skin of school-going children.
7. Best Fragrance-Free:Cataphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30
From a brand known for their line of skincare products for sensitive skin, comes a mineral allergy-friendly sunscreen with broad spectrum SPF 30. This clinically proven sunscreen has a microbiome formula that helps the skin lock in moisture and keep it hydrated, along with fighting the sun. It contains ingredients such as vitamin E to help the skin fight free-radicals in the cells and excessive drying. This allergy-free sunscreen is great for daily use as it is light on the skin and can easily be paired with your favorite makeup products too. Moreover, this sunscreen is also clinically tested for sensitive skin and is formulated to be free of fragrance, parabens, avobenzone, oxybenzone, octinoxate, and PABA, along with being hypoallergenic.
- Sheer, mineral sunscreen
- Dermatologist-tested
- Moisturizes dry skin
- Broad spectrum SPF 30
- Contains vitamin E
- Free of fragrance
- Free of parabens
- Free of avobenzone
- Free of oxybenzone
- Free of octinoxate
- No PABA
- Light on the skin
- Might leave a white cast if not rubbed in properly
8. Best Dermatologist-Tested:Seven Minerals’ Skin Friendly Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Made with the goodness of aloe vera gel, green tea extract, watermelon extract, coconut oil, mango butter, and vitamin E, this is a mighty allergy-free sunscreen that seeps into your skin quickly to beat the damages of the harmful rays of the sun while also keeping it moisturized.
This allergy-free sunscreen is not only reef friendly but is also packaged in a bottle made out of 100% recycled plastic. Made without oxybenzone, the sunscreen is safe for use by both adults and children. Tested by dermatologists and deemed safe for sensitive skin, the brand has also made this sunscreen free of octinoxate, oxybenzone, retinyl palmitate, paraben, and animal cruelty. So slather this on to strut around in the sun without having to worry about sun damage.
- Contains goodness of plant extracts
- Reef safe
- No oxybenzone
- Dermatologist tested
- Free of octinoxate
- Free of oxybenzone
- No retinyl palmitate
- No paraben
- No animal cruelty
- Water resistant for up to 80 minutes
- Safe for children
- Need to be rubbed in properly for complete absorption
9. Best Water-Resistant:Vanicream Sunscreen Sport Broad Spectrum SPF 35
If you love outdoor sports then grab this allergy-free sunscreen pronto to get broad-spectrum protection and to never let worrying about sun damage get in the way of you and your favorite sports. Tested by dermatologists and formulated to be free of dyes, fragrance, masking fragrance, lanolin, parabens, formaldehyde, preservatives, oil, odor, and gluten, it is designed to be safe for sensitive and allergy prone skin. Wear this sunscreen for outdoor sports to avoid sunburns and you will not have to retouch for a while as it is water resistant for up to 80 minutes.
- Non comedogenic
- No lanolin
- No parabens
- No preservatives
- No fragrance
- No oil
- No gluten
- Dermatologist-tested
- Designed for outdoor sports
- Water resistant for up to 80 minutes
- Contains octinoxate
Pro TipBefore applying the Vanicream Sunscreen, apply the Vanicream Moisturizing Cream thoroughly hydrating and moisturizing your skin.
10. Best Naturally Sourced Zinc Oxide:Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 50
If you are looking for an effective mineral sunscreen SPF for your baby skin, you need to look no further. Designed to be mild and feel as light as water on your delicate skin, this contains SPF 50 to bring heavy-duty sun protection. And because it is formulated for babies, this allergy-free sunscreen is made with 100% naturally sourced zinc oxide so that it is safe on delicate and sensitive skin. Apart from being non greasy, hypoallergenic, and paraben free, phthalate free, and fragrance free, this is also tear free to make it beneficial for a baby and can be used liberally on both the face and body, making it the ideal sunscreen for eczema-prone skin.
- Mild on the skin
- Uses 100% naturally sourced zinc oxide
- Non greasy
- No parabens
- No phthalates
- No fragrance
- Suitable for use for eczema
- The consistency might be a little thick for some.
11. Best Organic Ingredients:Badger Unscented Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Natural Mineral Sunscreen
This is a broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen that is effective and clean as it is made of only 5 ingredients – clear zinc oxide, organic sunflower oil, organic beeswax, sunflower vitamin E, and organic sea buckthorn extract. Apart from the transparency about their ingredients, the brand has also formulated this sunscreen to be non-comedogenic and fragrance free while also being hypoallergenic so that it is safe for sensitive skin. Made without oxybenzone and other chemicals that could damage our reefs, this is also safe for the oceans. The ingredient list is 98% organic and also helps to keep the skin moisturized while fighting the sun.
- Clean and made of only 5 listed ingredients
- Made of natural zinc oxide
- Non comedogenic
- No fragrance
- No oxybenzone
- 98% organic ingredients
- Moisturizes the skin
- Might leave a white cast if not blended properly
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The extensive 2,042 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are vouching for this product.
Now that we have looked at our favorite 11 allergy-free sunscreens, here is how to pick the best one.
How To Choose Allergy-Free Sunscreens
- Mineral or non-mineral sunscreen
While both kinds of sunscreens offer broad-spectrum protection for the duration of the time that they specify, the kind of sunscreen you pick depends on your preference. The difference between the 2 kinds is that while a mineral sunscreen uses either or both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to form a physical barrier on top of your skin to prevent the rays of the sun from absorbing into your skin, non-mineral sunscreens contains ingredients such as plant extracts like aloe vera, cucumber, and antioxidants to fight sun damage even after the rays of the sun hitting your skin.
- Duration of wear
While most sunscreens offer protection against the sun for up to an hour and then need reapplication, some need to be reapplied even after 40 minutes. Some long-wearing sunscreens might even stay on for up to 80 minutes. But all sunscreens need to be reapplied so that the sun protection they provide remains potent and effective.
- Spectrum of protection
While most provide a minimum of SPF 20, the protection can also go up to SPF 70 or more and the one you choose depends on the usage for it. If you are simply going to work, a sunscreen of average SPF can also do the job. However, for heavy-duty protection for outdoor sports or beach activities, get a sunscreen of higher SPF for better protection.
If you are prone to allergies and have sensitive skin, it helps to keep an eye out for ingredients that could be allergens. Here are a few to avoid.
What Ingredients In Sunscreen Can Cause An Allergic Reaction?
While allergies may vary and therefore a patch test is always recommended, some of the common ingredients in your sunscreen that may trigger allergic reactions are oxybenzone, dibenzoylmethane, cinnamates, fragrances, gluten, and synthetic dyes. And sometimes, even nuts and soy-based ingredients may trigger an allergic reaction. It is recommended that you go through the list of ingredients to make the right choice for your allergy-prone skin.
The Bottom Line
Sunscreens are the absolute holy grail for your skincare regime and to get it right, you must never skip it. But we do understand your concerns if your skin is prone to allergies and you are cautious about the ingredients that you put on your skin. However, this should never be reason enough for you to skip sunscreen and our list of the best 11 allergy-free sunscreen reviews has been compiled to make that easy for you. The Babyganics SPF 50+ Sunscreen Lotion is ideal for those with sensitive skin thanks to its high protection level and baby-friendly formula, while the Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen SPF 30+ is a great choice for those who love the outdoors as it provides excellent sun protection with its mineral-based formula. If you are looking for a sunscreen that suits mature skin, try the Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen Mineral Lotion SPF 70. Simply choose the one that you like best, slather it on and strut out in the sun without it getting in the way of your life. Let your favorite allergy-free sunscreen do the heavy lifting and give you great skin and protection from the sun!
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Kirtana Divakar, is a skin care enthusiast and understands the science behind sunscreens and their importance in our day-to-day lives. She researched a multitude of allergy-free sunscreens available on the market and sifted through the reviews they attracted on different online forums. The products shortlisted in this article keep your skin safe from UV rays and are free of allergens that might torture your skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you protect your skin if you are allergic to SPF?
Avoid going out during the peak hours of 9 am to 3 pm and wear your sunglasses at all times during those hours. Use an allergen-free sunscreen which protects your skin from sun burn and damage.
What happens if you are allergic to sunscreen?
If you are allergic to sunscreen, your skin may start feeling irritated with visible redness and inflammation.
What ingredient in sunscreen causes allergies?
Oxybenzone (benzophenone-3), dibenzoylmethane, cinnamates, and benzophenones cause allergies.
Which allergy-free sunscreens are safe during pregnancy?
Any oxybenzone-free sunscreen such as the Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen Mineral Lotion SPF 70 is safe during pregnancy.
Is sunscreen bad for sensitive skin?
No, sunscreens with clean and toxin-free formulas are good for sensitive skin.
Read full bio of Nichelle Temple
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