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15 Of The Best Face SPFs For Acne-Prone Skin
Shield your skin whilst swerving the spots.
We all know by now that every day, come rain or shine, we should be wearing SPF on our face. This shouldn't be news to you. Of course, the most innovative beauty brands out there are making it easier for us, packing SPF into primers, foundation and even bronzer – but to really get the best out of your sun protection it should be slathered on underneath all of this in a separate layer, so you know you're getting sufficient coverage.
However, for those of us with acne-prone skin, finding a sun cream that doesn't result in an eruption of breakouts is no mean feat. The trick is to look out for formulas which are oil-free, packed with natural minerals, or labelled non-comedogenic, which means they're less likely to clog your pores.
Dr Alia Ahmed, a psychodermatologist for La Roche-Posay agrees: 'Breakout-prone skin does not need oily formulations or creamy textures that sit on the skin and cause pore clogging. Stick to non-comedogenic formulas, which means that the formulation is designed not to clog pores and aggravate one of the causative factors for acne. They are essential for skin that is prone to or experiencing acne, and oily skin, as technically they should not contribute or lead to breakouts,' she says.
So what to look for instead? 'Ideally you should look for a moisturiser that will calm and hydrate the skin barrier without being comedogenic. It may feel counterintuitive to use moisturiser for acne but in my view, it can be incredibly important,' explains La Roche-Posay Consultant Dermatologist, Dr. Justine Hextall. It's also important to look on your ingredient labels, too. 'To boost hydration without blocking pores I would suggest looking for ingredients that draw water to the top layer or skin, these are called humectants, such as hyaluronic acid and glycerine. Moisturisers that contain ceramides help to strengthen the skin barrier and, as such, reduce water loss without being oily and blocking pores,' says Dr Hextall.
The key is that they still offer up brilliant protection from both UVA and UVB rays, so you can go about your day safe in the knowledge that your skin is shielded from the wavelengths that can lead to wrinkles and pigmentation and, of course, skin cancer.
From light gels to sprays, high-street options to snazzy splurges, here are the best facial SPFs you need to wear on the daily – whatever the weather is doing.
Shop The Best SPF For Acne-Prone Skin
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