If you’re experiencing perioral dermatitis, don’t waste time trialing different sunscreens to find out which works best. This will only exacerbate your condition!
Instead, let us do the groundwork for you.
At the time of a perioral dermatitis break out, affected skin is especially vulnerable to sun damage. That’s why it’s important to maintain premium sun protection.
In addition to following the Skin Cancer Foundation’s advice to wear UV protective clothing, hats and sunglasses – and to seek shade wherever possible – it is imperative you wear a broad spectrum sunscreen (and one that doesn’t cause further irritation!).
After thoroughly investigating how to provide sufficient sun protection without inflaming your perioral dermatitis, SimplySunSafe can recommend EltaMD UV Pure as the best sunscreen for perioral dermatitis.
Characterised by red bumps on the skin that feel tender and itchy, as well as skin that is dry, flaky or feels like it’s burning, perioral dermatitis can be clinically diagnosed with ease. It only erupts on the lower half of the face.
If you experience a flare up and need to find low-irritant sun protection, keep reading below. We’ve collated a comparison table, detailed buyer’s guide, and in-depth reviews of the top five recommended sunscreens for perioral dermatitis.
Best Sunscreen for Perioral Dermatitis Comparison
| SPF | Broad spectrum | Active ingredients | Water resistance | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 EltaMD UV Pure | SPF 47 | Broad spectrum | Zinc Oxide (10%) & Titanium Dioxide (5.5%) | 80 Min Water Resistance | Check Price |
 Vanicream Sunscreen | SPF 30 | Broad spectrum | Zinc Oxide (6%) & Titanium Dioxide (3.4%) | 80 Min Water Resistance | Check Price |
 Kiss My Face Face & Body | SPF 30 | Broad spectrum | Zinc Oxide (6%) & Titanium Dioxide (6%) | 80 Min Water Resistance | Check Price |
 Banana Boat Natural Reflect | SPF 50 | Broad spectrum | Zinc Oxide (4%) Titanium Dioxide (3.6%) | 80 Min Water Resistance | Check Price |
 BADGER Baby Sunscreen | SPF30 | Broad spectrum | Zinc Oxide (18.75%) | 40 Min Water Resistance | Check Price |
Buyer’s Guide
To be sure that you protect your face sufficiently with perioral dermatitis, there are a few must-have features that you should be searching for in your sunscreen:
Broad spectrum protection
The single most important thing that you should always keep in mind when searching for sunscreen for any purpose, is that you want it to provide broad spectrum protection.
This means that you will receive balanced protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
This is important because each type of ray works differently:
- UVB rays damage the outer layer of your skin and cause you to tan or burn
- UVA rays are stronger, and penetrate the deepest layer of your skin (the dermis) and cause premature aging
Balanced protection against both is something you definitely want because exposure to both types of rays increases your risk of skin cancer. You want to make sure that you’re extra careful with perioral dermatitis because your skin is so sensitive and more vulnerable to damage from the sun’s UV rays.
You won’t need to worry about finding a sunscreen that provides broad spectrum protection, they are available everywhere, and are easy to spot!
Just take a look at the sunscreen’s label and make sure it has words like ‘broad spectrum’ or ‘UVA/B,’ making it obvious that the protection you want is provided.
You can also search the ingredients list for zinc oxide. Sunscreens with zinc oxide are always an excellent choice because they protect against the full range of UVA/B rays.
Best SPF for perioral dermatitis
I’m guessing like many people, you tend to base part of your decision to buy a sunscreen on its Sun Protection Factor (SPF).
But do you really understand what it means? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! It’s an elusive concept. Let me explain it to help you better understand!
SPF indicates the fraction of the sun’s UV rays that will reach your skin if you have properly applied the product.
That means if you’re wearing a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30, then only 1/30th of the sun’s rays will reach your skin. This is why you’re able to stay in the sun longer when you wear sunscreen. But don’t overdo it!
Wearing a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 does not mean that you can stay in the sun 30 times longer than if you weren’t wearing sunscreen. This is not something you want to test out, especially with the sensitive skin on your face with perioral dermatitis.
There are many factors which influence the effectiveness of SPF, including time of day, amount of properly applied sunscreen, and reflections from surfaces like water and sand.
Check out this table below to see how much protection you get with different SPF ratings:
| SPF Rating | UVB Protection |
| None | 0% |
| 2 | 50% |
| 15 | 93% |
| 30 | 97% |
| 50 | 98% |
| 100 | 99% |
Are you as surprised as I was?
The truth is that there is very little difference between an SPF rating of 30 and one of 100! So how do you know which SPF rating to choose?
SimplySunSafe, in line with FDA guidelines, suggests that you always choose sunscreens with SPF ratings no lower than 30 and no higher than 50.
And remember, perioral dermatitis makes your skin extra vulnerable, so be sure to reapply at least every two hours no matter what SPF rating you choose!
Physical is better than chemical
It’s helpful to know that sunscreens can be grouped into two main categories – chemical and physical. The differences between these two types come from their active ingredients and in the ways they work to protect your skin.
- Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays as they reach your skin
- Physical sunscreens reflect UV rays before they reach your skin
There are many reasons to choose physical sunscreens over chemicals ones. Studies show they stop more light across a broader spectrum. Put simply, they’re better sunscreens.
If you need further convincing, they also:
- work immediately upon application
- last longer
- are less likely to cause irritation (perfect for perioral dermatitis)
- have a longer shelf life
If those reasons aren’t enough to convince you, listen to this:
Chemical sunscreens often contain ingredients that mess with your hormones. That is something you don’t want! The worst of these ingredients is called oxybenzone, and it is still legal despite concerns from the FDA.
The best choice for sun protection with perioral dermatitis will be a physical sunscreen! This will ensure that extra chemicals from your sun protection don’t cause more irritation on your face.
Suitable for daily use
When you have perioral dermatitis, the skin on your face and around your mouth is extra sensitive. This means that it is even more vulnerable to damage from the sun.
This makes it imperative that you use sun protection on a daily basis!
This means are a few things you want to consider when beginning your sunscreen search:
- Do you want a sunscreen that you can use on your face and body every day?
- Will you wear makeup on top of your sunscreen?
- What kind of formula do you need to cater to your perioral dermatitis?
Having answered these questions for yourself will streamline your search process and help you to find the right sunscreen for you.
With perioral dermatitis, you want to find a sunscreen that you will be able to wear every day without experiencing irritation. The products recommended by SimplySunSafe are effective, yet gentle enough for daily use on your face!
Formulated for sensitive skin
Having perioral dermatitis means that your skin is often irritated and sensitive.
It can be difficult to find facial products that don’t cause further irritation to your skin, and that includes sunscreens. That is why you should focus on searching for sunscreens that are specially designed for sensitive skin when you have perioral dermatitis.
Sunscreens that are designed for use on sensitive skin are usually formulas that contain light, natural ingredients that will not irritate your skin.
There are many sensitive sunscreens that also address other skin issues such as dry or oily skin. You can usually find sensitive sunscreens that contain specific ingredients that help to calm your skin, in addition to being gentle.
With perioral dermatitis, it is essential that you protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays, but you do not want to cause irritation while doing that.
To guarantee this, choose sunscreens designed for sensitive skin, and protect your skin without causing further irritation!
5 Best Sunscreens for Perioral Dermatitis
After extensive research into what your skin needs in sun protection with perioral dermatitis which included discussing issues with customers, reviewing customer feedback, examining manufacturer specifications, and participating in skincare forums, SimplySunSafe has determined the 5 best sunscreens for perioral dermatitis.
Each sunscreen provides physical, broad spectrum protection with an SPF rating of 30 or greater. All of the recommended products are designed for use on sensitive skin and are suitable for daily use!
1. Vanicream Sunscreen SPF 30
- MINERAL SUNSCREEN: Now reformulated with only one active ingredient, zinc oxide, to provide broad spectrum protection.
- NON-COMEDOGENIC SUNSCREEN: Our mineral sunscreen for sensitive skin is non-comedogenic (won't clog pores) and is suitable for face and body.
- WATER RESISTANT: This fragrance-free sunscreen is water resistant for up to 80 minutes.
- FREE OF COMMON IRRITANTS: All our products are free of dyes, fragrance, masking fragrance, lanolin, parabens and formaldehyde releasers.
- CREATED FOR SENSITIVE SKIN: Our unscented sunscreen formula is lightweight, easy to apply and non-greasy.
Last update on 2023-05-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
SimplySunSafe’s first choice for sunscreen for protecting skin with perioral dermatitis is Vanicream Sunscreen.
This product provides effective, yet gentle broad spectrum protection through its active ingredients zinc oxide (6%) and titanium dioxide (3.4%).
Vanicream’s formula is specifically designed for sensitive skin, and for that reason, you will not need to worry about irritation even with perioral dermatitis.
A great plus about Vanicream for skin with perioral dermatitis is that its thick formula is soothing and helpful for dry skin. The papules created with perioral dermatitis are often itchy and dry your skin out, and Vanicream will help ease the resulting discomfort.
Just keep in mind that because the formula is nice and thick, while you won’t be left with a white cast, your skin may feel a bit heavy if you wear makeup on top. But this trade off may be worth it to have some perioral dermatitis discomfort eased, and to have sufficient sun protection!
Vanicream also provides you with 80 minutes of water resistance. This means that this is a sunscreen you can use daily, throughout the year, even in the hot weather, when you will be sweating and swimming!
If you have paler skin, you can also find Vanicream in a formula with an SPF of 50.
Vanicream is an excellent sunscreen for perioral dermatitis that you can use daily on your face and body!
- Designed for sensitive skin
- Helpful for dry skin
- 80-minute water resistance
- Thick formula may feel heavy under makeup
2. EltaMD UV Pure Broad Spectrum SPF 47 Sunscreen
- EltaMD UV Pure SPF 47 kids sunscreen lotion is made with chemical-free active ingredients for kids and adults who want effective, long lasting sun protection
- This product is non-sealed
- This kids mineral sunscreen with Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide reflects and scatters harsh UVA and UVB rays to help prevent sunburns and offer better sun protection for families
- Gentle kids sunscreen formula glides over wet or dry skin, rubs in quickly and is water resistant for up to 80 minutes, making this a great water resistant sunscreen for kids and adults
- Lightly rub in this oil free sunscreen for kids face and body and reapply often for all-around sun protection
Last update on 2023-05-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Another reliable choice for sunscreen to use with perioral dermatitis is EltaMD UV Pure.
As the sunscreen’s name asserts, broad spectrum protection is provided to you with its active ingredients zinc oxide (10%) and titanium dioxide (5.5%).
EltaMD is a very lightweight formula that has been specifically designed for safe and non-irritating use on your face.
It is very gentle and will soothe your perioral dermatitis while protecting your face from the sun.
It does leave a slight white cast on the skin, but works very well under makeup so you can cover it up if you’d like.
EltaMD is another option that is great throughout the seasons. It provides a high SPF rating for the hotter weather, and for those with paler skin.
It is also a suitable sunscreen for the summer when you’ll be sweating and engaging in water activities because it provides you with 80 minutes of water resistance!
Take it for a test run!
- Gentle enough for daily use
- Compatible with makeup
- High SPF rating
- Leaves slight white cast on skin
3. Kiss My Face Organics Mineral Face & Body Sunscreen SPF 30
- This natural sun block is made with 87% certified organic ingredients
- Country of origin is United States
- The package dimension of the product is 4.7cmL x 11.8cmW x 14.3cmH
- The package weight of the product is 4.4 ounces
Last update on 2023-05-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Kiss My Face Mineral Face & Body Sunscreen is a highly recommended choice for sunscreen with perioral dermatitis. This product provides broad spectrum protection with its active ingredients zinc oxide (6%) and titanium dioxide (6%).
Mineral Face & Body is made with natural and gentle ingredients that will not only leave your skin and perioral dermatitis irritation-free, but will also help to soothe the discomfort you experience around your mouth.
The formula does leave a slight white cast, but makeup works well on top of the sunscreen to cover it up. Just be sure to allow it some time to dry and absorb before applying your makeup!
Kiss My Face can be used daily throughout the year and all seasons. It provides 80 minutes of water resistance for use in hot temperatures or humid climates, to protect even while sweating or swimming!
- Designed for daily use
- Skin soothing ingredients
- 80 minutes of water resistance
- Heavy formula
4. Banana Boat Natural Reflect Baby Sunscreen Lotion Sunscreen SPF 50
- 100% naturally-sourced mineral sunscreen is as effective as chemical sunscreens
- Tear-free and sting free
- Dermatologist tested; Gentle on delicate or sensitive skin
- Recommended by the skin cancer foundation; Oxybenzone and paraben free
- Very water resistant
Last update on 2023-05-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This product is a totally naturally-sourced block sunscreen. With the high 50 SPF rating in its Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, it is very effective at deflecting UVA or UVB rays. Free from harsh chemicals including Oxybenzone and paraben. It is one simple, yet effective way of providing broad-spectrum protection in the sun. Soothing on delicate skin, the sunscreen is formulated for use on babies and it serves adults just as good.
It can be used on the entire body and is seen as a great sunscreen for people that have more that one skin condition. It also is tear-free and sting-free so it won’t irritate your eyes. It comes recommended by the skin cancer foundation. The sunscreen is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. It should be reapplied every two hours at other times. It is non-fragrant and It comes in a convenient tube packaging for you to move about with.
Banana Boat Natural Reflect Baby Sunscreen, however, has a tendency of leaving the body white after application. It is thick but non-greasy. It is a well-trusted product from a famous brand that always delivers quality.
- Designed for daily use on delicate skin
- Doesn’t cause eye irritation
- 80 minutes of water resistance
- Very thick formula
- White cast
5. Badger Baby Sunscreen Cream SPF 30
- SIMPLY THE SAFEST SUNSCREEN FOR BABIES - Badger sets the standard for simple safe baby sunscreens that protect your infants and toddlers. This broad spectrum mineral sunscreen has only 7 simple ingredients: non-nano zinc oxide, organic sunflower oil, organic beeswax, sunflower vitamin E, organic chamomile, organic calendula, and organic seabuckthorn. Pediatrician tested, gluten-free & hypoallergenic this all-natural baby sunscreen is perfect for your babies delicate skin.
- PROTECTS WITH THE MINERAL ZINC OXIDE - Badger’s SPF 30 Baby Sunscreen Cream uses our original non-nano, large particle zinc oxide. This mineral stays on top of your baby's skin, scattering and absorbing UVA & UVB rays, and won’t absorb into their bloodstream. Naturally water and sweat resistant for at least 40 minutes it's perfect for the beach, pool, and light activities. The light chamomile & calendula scent is calming and relaxing.
- REEF SAFE SUNSCREEN - Safe for coral means safe for your baby too! Badger sunscreens are made without oxybenzone or any chemicals shown to harm coral or humans. All Badger sunscreen lotions and creams are top rated for safety and efficacy by the EWG sunscreen guide. This eco-friendly biodegradable mineral sunscreen protects you without endangering marine life.
- 98% ORGANIC INGREDIENTS FOR HEALTHY BABY SKIN - The certified organic sunscreen base ingredients are antioxidant rich, ultra-moisturizing, and great for your babies skin. Non-GMO and contains no dyes, parabens, or other artificial ingredients. Healthy botanical ingredients promote healthy skin for your baby.
- A BRAND YOU CAN TRUST - Badger is a family owned, women run B Corporation (Benefit Corp) making mineral baby sunscreens and other organic skin care products that we use on our own families in rural New Hampshire since 1995. We are the leaders in safe natural sunscreens. Don't just take our word for it, read our ingredients, see what others say about Badger sunscreens, and try them for yourself.
Last update on 2023-05-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
SimplySunSafe’s final recommendation for sunscreens for perioral dermatitis is another thoroughly recommended product, designed especially for sensitive baby’s skin.
BADGER Baby Sunscreen provides broad spectrum protection with a high concentration of its active ingredient zinc oxide (18.75%).
BADGER’s Baby formula is very simple and will not cause irritation even when used daily on your face and body. It is gentle enough that it will soothe your perioral dermatitis.
The formula is very thick and, due to its high concentration of zinc oxide, it will leave an obvious white cast, which is why it has landed last on this list.
However, you can use makeup to lessen the appearance of the white cast, if you’d like!
BADGER Baby Sunscreen is a viable option throughout all seasons. It will provide you with 40 minutes of water resistance for when you find yourself sweating, or hopefully, swimming.
This may be the sunscreen for your skin!
- High concentration of zinc oxide
- Sensitive enough for daily use
- 40 minutes of water resistance
- Thick formula
- Noticeable white cast
Conclusion
This guide was written for those searching for the best sunscreen for perioral dermatitis. I hope that by reading this guide, you learned more about what you need for proper sun protection with perioral dermatitis, and found a product that fits your specific needs.
SimplySunSafe recommends EltaMD UV Pure, but all 5 products listed will be sufficient and suitable for daily use for sun protection with perioral dermatitis.
Now that you’ve read this guide, it is a good idea for you to test different products on your face. Everyone’s skin is unique so you’ll want to see which product will be the best for your skin. Once you have tested different sunscreens, you’ll be able to make the most informed decision about which one works for you!
I love learning new things and hearing about new products from other people. So if you use or know of another sunscreen that is great for perioral dermatitis, please share it in the comments! I’ll be sure to take a look and maybe it will even be added to this list!
If you’d like sunscreen recommendations for other skin conditions, SimplySunSafe has a range of guides including sunscreen for heat rash, sunblock for melasma, and eczema sunscreen. Just go to the top of this page and search for a condition to find the recommendations you’re looking for.
Photo credit: James Heilman, MD / CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently Asked Questions!
Q: Is it OK to use sunscreen on your face every day?
A: When suffering from perioral dermatitis, it is important to wear sunscreen every day on your face. Just ensure that the formula is lightweight and has adequate SPF protection. Steer clear from any harmful ingredients and apply with soft and gentle pats on the face.
It is also important to wear sunscreen all through the year. In comparison, there might be less UVB on overcast days because visible light from the sun can’t penetrate clouds. But less than an hour of sun exposure can generate enough UVB rays to cause irreversible damage.
Q: What ingredient in sunscreen can increase perioral dermatitis?
A: While sunscreen is key to keeping safe from the sun, chemical sunscreens contain oxybenzone that can make perioral dermatitis worse. Try a natural one instead!
Some other ingredients that can worsen perioral dermatitis are the extremely harsh parabens and phthalates, alcohol, and fragrances (that dries and irritates the skin), and pore-clogging petroleum and paraffin that will further worsen the situation. So make sure that your sunscreen is completely free from these ingredients.
Q: Should you moisturize perioral dermatitis?
A: If you suffer from perioral dermatitis – keep things light. You don’t want to use too many fluids or heavy moisturizers on skin that has been inflamed by the condition.
Use only lightweight moisturizers or sunscreens that have moisturizing ingredients to not clog pores and aggravate the condition. Using oils for moisturization is a strict no!
Q: What irritates perioral dermatitis?
A: The sun is your skin’s worst enemy. The time you spend in the out under those intense UV rays, heat, and wind could spell disaster for a case of perioral dermatitis that has just surfaced.
If this isn’t enough to get you into protection mode, some medications used to treat PD may also make your skin sensitive (to say the least), so be sure, not to over-expose yourself when outdoors!
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