Psoriasis isn’t fun! But it doesn’t have to stop you from getting out in the sun and having a roaring good time! You just need to find the right sunscreen.
If you’re experiencing a psoriasis outbreak, your skin will be extra vulnerable. It can feel dry and itchy to touch, and may even crack, which leads to bleeding. Together, these symptoms leave skin highly sensitive and prone to irritation.
It might be daunting, finding products that won’t irritate psoriasis-prone skin, but it’s not impossible!
At SimplySunSafe, we’ve identified the specific factors that need to be considered when choosing a reliable but soothing sunscreen option. After thorough research, we confidently recommend BADGER Sport Sunscreen SPF 35 as the best sunscreen for psoriasis!
Of course, it’s also important to follow the standard guidelines asserted by the Skin Cancer Foundation and wear UV protective clothing, hats and sunglasses, and seek shade in high sun hours.
For a comparison table, detailed buyer’s guide and in-depth reviews of the top five sunscreens for psoriasis, read on.
Best Sunscreen for Psoriasis Comparison
 BADGER Sport Sunscreen |
 Derma E Sun Defense |
 Vanicream Sunscreen |
 Thinksport Sunscreen |
 CeraVe Baby Sunscreen |
|
| SPF | 35 | 30 | 30 | 50+ | 45 |
| Broad spectrum | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Active ingredients | Zinc Oxide (22.5%) | Zinc oxide (20%) | Zinc Oxide (6%) & Titanium Dioxide (3.4%) | Zinc Oxide (20%) | Zinc Oxide (11.4%) & Titanium Dioxide (7.4%) |
| Water resistance | 80 minutes | none | 80 minutes | 80 minutes | 80 minutes |
| Price | See at Amazon | See at Amazon | See at Amazon | See at Amazon | See at Amazon |
Buyer’s Guide
To be sure that your sensitive, psoriasis-affected skin is sufficiently protected against the sun’s UV rays, there are a few must-have features you should search for in a sunscreen:
Broad Spectrum Protection
Anytime you are searching for a sunscreen, you should keep in mind that you want it to provide you with broad spectrum protection.
This means that you receive balanced protection against both UVA and UVB rays. This is vital because each type of ray works differently.
- UVB rays damage your outer layer of skin and cause burning or tanning
- UVA rays penetrate the deepest layer of your skin (the dermis) and cause premature aging
You want to be properly protected, as exposure to both types of rays increases your risk of skin cancer!
Luckily, you will find broad spectrum sunscreens easily! They are plentiful and easy to spot.
Take a look at a sunscreen’s label for words like ‘broad spectrum’ or ‘UVA/B,’ clearly indicating sufficient protection.
You can also search the ingredients list for zinc oxide. Sunscreens with zinc oxide protect against the full range of UVA/B rays and are always a safe choice for psoriasis!
Best SPF for psoriasis
If you’re not completely clear on the meaning of the Sun Protection Factor (SPF), now is as good a time as any to learn!
Put simply, SPF tells you what fraction of the sun’s rays will reach your skin if you have properly applied the sunscreen.
So 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. That sounds too good to be true, right? Just be sure not to get carried away!
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. Don’t test this, or your sensitive skin might end up with a painful burn!
Take a look at the table below to better understand the protection you get with different SPF ratings.
| SPF Rating | UVB Protection |
| None | 0% |
| 2 | 50% |
| 15 | 93% |
| 30 | 97% |
| 50 | 98% |
| 100 | 99% |
Surprised at all by what you see?
The truth is that there is a very small difference between an SPF rating of 30 and one of 100. How can you be sure which to choose?
SimplySunSafe agrees with the FDA’s suggestion, and recommends that you choose sunscreens with SPF ratings no lower than 30 and no greater than 50.
No matter what SPF rating you choose, be sure to reapply at least every two hours, especially when sunbathing for your psoriasis.
Physical is better than chemical
It is helpful to know that sunscreens can be broken into main groups – chemical and physical. The differences between these two groups lie in the active ingredients and in the way 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 really are many reasons to choose physical sunscreens over chemical ones. The most important is that physicals stop more light across a broader spectrum. This means that they’re simply better sunscreens. They also:
- work immediately upon application
- last longer
- are less likely to cause irritation (bonus for psoriasis)
- and have a longer shelf life
If you’re still not convinced, listen to this:
Chemical sunscreens often contain ingredients that mess with your hormones, which is not something you want! The worst of these ingredients is called oxybenzone, and is still legal despite concerns expressed by the FDA.
SimplySunSafe advises you to avoid this ingredient in any sunscreen you choose.
Protect your skin and your psoriasis by choosing a physical sunscreen!
Using the sun to your benefit
When you have psoriasis, it is essential that you use sunscreen everyday to properly protect your skin.
Does sun exposure make psoriasis worse?
No, actually it seems to be the contrary. Gradual exposure to the sun can actually help to lessen the effects and appearance of psoriasis.
However, if you have psoriasis and you spend too much time in the sun, or rather unprotected time in the sun, then you will burn your skin, which will likely inflame your psoriasis further.
In order to reap the sun’s benefits in helping with psoriasis, you need to be using a sufficient broad spectrum sunscreen at all times. That way your skin is safe from the increased risk of inflammation, skin cancer, and from early aging caused by the UV rays.
Sun therapy is a viable option for psoriasis, but only with proper sunscreen to protect your skin!
Suitable for daily use
Since you will want to expose your skin to the sun in order to help your psoriasis, you need to be sure that you are properly protecting yourself against harmful UV rays at all times.
This means that you want to find a sunscreen that can easily fit into your daily routine. Ask yourself these questions before beginning your search:
- Do you want a sunscreen that you can use on your face and body?
- Will you wear makeup on top of the sunscreen?
- Are there any specifications you need to accommodate your psoriasis?
Having these questions answered will streamline your search and help you find the perfect product for your skin.
In a sunscreen to be used daily on skin with psoriasis, you want a formula that is effective in protection, yet extremely gentle.
SimplySunSafe has recommended five products that will fit seamlessly into your daily routine and protect your psoriasis-affected skin without agitating it!
Water resistant
So since you know that the sun eases the discomfort of your psoriasis, it’s likely that you want to expose your skin to the sun as much as you can.
In order to do this safely, you must be sure that your protection will not falter. This means that you want your sunscreen to protect you even when you start sweating during your sun therapy.
That is why you want to find a water resistant sunscreen.
Sunscreens are available with 40 or 80 minutes of water resistance. For exposing your psoriasis to the sun safely, I suggest that you choose sunscreens with 80 minutes of water resistance.
Soothe your psoriasis while confident that your skin is properly protected!
5 Best Sunscreens for Psoriasis
After extensive research into what is needed in sun protection for psoriasis which included discussing issues with customers, reviewing customer feedback, examining manufacturer specifications, and participating skincare forums, SimplySunSafe has compiled a list of the 5 best sunscreens for psoriasis.
Each one provides physical, broad spectrum protection with an SPF rating of 30 or greater. All products are suitable for daily use and will help you use the sun to calm your psoriasis.
1. BADGER Sport Sunscreen SPF 35
- Cruelty-free
- Non-GMO
- One 87 ml. Tube of spf 35 sport unscented sunscreen cream
- Organic
Last update on 2023-03-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
SimplySunSafe’s number 1 pick for sunscreen to use when you have psoriasis is BADGER Sport Sunscreen SPF 35.
This reliable formula provides broad spectrum protection with a high concentration of its active ingredient zinc oxide (22.5%).
Don’t be intimidated by the name of this sunscreen. Although it is marketed towards sports, it is an extremely gentle formula. It contains a total of only 5 natural and mild ingredients!
BADGER Sport will not irritate your psoriasis or your skin at all. Keep in mind that the formula is thick and will leave a slight white cast. So if you want to use it on your face, you may want to cover the white cast with makeup.
BADGER Sport is a perfect option for daily use throughout the year. Not only is it gentle, but it also provides 80 minutes of water resistance.
This is essential, especially in the summer months when you’ll want to take advantage of the sun to help your psoriasis. You’ll definitely be sweating as you invite the sun to your skin, but with BADGER your protection against UV rays won’t falter!
Another great thing about BADGER is that is available for kids and babies. This makes Badger and its simple, natural formulas a great sunscreen option for anyone in the family with psoriasis!
- Simple formula
- Gentle on sensitive skin
- 80 minutes of water resistance
- Available for kids and babies
- Thick formula
2. DERMA E Sun Defense Mineral Oil-Free Face Sunscreen SPF 30+
- OIL-FREE SPF 30 SUNSCREEN: Protect the sensitive skin on your face from UVA and UVB solar rays. This oil-free mineral based sunscreen offers broad spectrum SPF sun defense and leaves skin soft and nourished.
- CLEAR PROTECTION: This fragrance free Zinc Oxide cream rubs into the skin with no whitening and absorbs quickly. The hypoallergenic clear sun defense has a lightweight, soothing finish.
- ALL NATURAL FORMULA: Packed full of powerful natural ingredients: Mineral Zinc Oxide defends against UVA and UVB rays; Titanium Dioxide works to prevent sunburn and damage; and Aloe Vera, Vitamin C and Green Tea soothe, nourish and brighten.
- DAILY SKIN CARE: For best results, apply 15 minutes before sun exposure. Apply liberally and evenly over your face and rub into skin until clear. Reapply sun protection regularly as needed.
- DERMA E: Clean beauty products that harness nature’s most effective ingredients. 100% vegan and cruelty-free, our eco-ethical skin care products contain no parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, petrolatum, lanolin, gluten, soy or GMOs, and are supplied in recyclable packaging.
Last update on 2023-03-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This is an oil-free, lightweight, non-greasy facial formula that gives broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection and anti-aging antioxidant protection. The non-nano zinc oxide provides a 30 SPF broad-spectrum UVA and UVB rays protection from the sun. It is fortified with vitamin C and natural green tea that gives the skin an anti-aging shield to help skin recover after sun exposure. Vitamin C has been shown to protect skin against the damage caused by the ultraviolet rays and to reduce wrinkles. While Green Tea contains a lot of polyphenols that prevent breakouts, oxidative stress and protects the skin from UVA and UVB radiation damage. This product is an oil-free, chemical-free, lightweight, non-greasy facial formula that delivers broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection and anti-aging antioxidant defense. It is 100% vegan, oxybenzene-free, cruelty-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, preservative-free, mineral oil-free, lanolin-free, gluten-free and GMO-free.
This Sunscreen feels Lightweight and non-greasy on the skin. It is a great facial formula, fitting for daily use on all skin types and wears well under makeup. It is non-irritating on the skin at the same time, it does not clog the pores (non-comedogenic). This formula rubs on smoothly, sinks, fast and gives a fine, lightweight, non-greasy coating.
This product leaves a white cast on the skin after use. You have to the proper precautions to make sure that it is well rubbed in. it is not water-resistant and that is the reason that it is number two in this ranking. This is great for psoriasis prone skin and other sensitive skins as it does not irritates or causes breakouts. It simply gives you the hitch-free life that you desire!
- Designed for daily use on sensitive skin
- Vegan
- Non-greasy
- Can be used alone or under makeup
- Not water resistant
- May leave a white cast
3. 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 2023-03-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Vanicream Sunscreen Lotion is SimplySunSafe’s next selection for sunscreens to be used with psoriasis. This sunscreen will feel like a body cream while providing you with broad spectrum protection with its active ingredients zinc oxide (6%) and titanium dioxide (3.4%).
Vanicream is formulated especially for various types of sensitive skin. Even with psoriasis outbreaks, you will not experience irritation.
The formula is very thick, which makes your face feel heavy if you add makeup on top of it.
However, the thickness creates a soothing pasty feeling for dry or irritated skin, as you might have with psoriasis.
Vanicream is a viable option for daily use throughout the year as it provides 80 minutes of water resistance.
And if you’re paler or simply have really sensitive skin, you can get Vanicream in a formula with an SPF of 50.
- Designed for sensitive skin
- Soothes dry and irritated skin
- SPF 50 option
- Thick formula does not work well under makeup
4. Thinksport Sunscreen SPF 50+
- SAFE, NATURAL PROTECTION: Thinksport sunscreen provides effective sun protection for athletes, sports and active use. The broad spectrum UVA & UVB sun cream is suitable for daily use on even sensitive skin, offering gentle defense against the sun’s rays.
- EASY APPLICATION: The hydrating body and face sun cream is quick and easy to apply, and protection from the sun begins instantly. The fast absorbing SPF 50+ sun lotion won’t leave your skin feeling oily or sticky, and has no unpleasant chemical scent.
- CLEAN MINERAL FORMULA: The first sunscreen to pass Whole Foods Premium Care requirements, Thinksport vegan, Leaping Bunny certified sun creams contain no PABA, parabens, phthalates, BPA, oxybenzone, avobenzone, petroleum, gluten, dairy, or toxic chemicals.
- WATER RESISTANT: Ideal sunscreen for sport and other activities that make you sweat. Our sun cream provides the highest water resistance per the FDA, offering continuous protection for up to 80 minutes in the pool or sea before the sunscreen should be re-applied.
- REEF FRIENDLY: Safe for you, and safe for the earth. Produced in the USA, our sunscreen’s active ingredient is non-nano Zinc Oxide, and the formula is highly biodegradable, non toxic and does not contain any known chemicals harmful to coral reefs.
Last update on 2023-03-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Thinksport is another sunscreen with a sports focus and a surprisingly mild formula!
Thinksport was the first sunscreen to pass the Whole Foods premium care requirements and provides broad spectrum protection with its active ingredient zinc oxide (20%).
Thinksport’s formula is effective in protecting your skin against the sun, but is very gentle and will not cause you any irritation.
It is rather thick, needs time to rub in properly, and will leave a white cast. But this a good tradeoff for soothing and effective protection that you can use on your face and body.
Thinksport will suit you well throughout the year. If you choose to use the summer sun to ease the discomfort of your psoriasis, rest assured that thinksport’s 80 minutes of water resistance will persist in protecting you even while you’re sweating!
You can also check out thinksport Kids and thinkbaby if you’re looking to protect the psoriasis-affected skin of younger members in your family!
- High SPF
- 80 minutes of water resistance
- Available in kids and baby formulas
- Thick formula
- White cast
5. CeraVe Baby Sunscreen SPF 45
- [ DEVELOPED WITH PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGISTS & NO NASTIES ] CeraVe Baby Sunscreen SPF 45 is free of fragrance, paraben, sulfate and phthalates to be gentle on baby's delicate skin and helps to maintain baby’s protective skin barrier
- [ BROAD SPECTRUM UVA UVB PROTECTION ] 100% Mineral based sunscreen, or physical sunscreen, reflects UVA/UVB rays to help protect skin. Formulated with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to be gentle on baby's delicate skin. Water resistant (80 minutes)
- [ HYDRATING BABY SUNSCREEN ] Formulated with 3 Essential Ceramides to reinforce baby's skin barrier, Hyaluronic Acid to help retain skin's moisture, and Niacinamide to help calm skin.
- [ National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance] Accepted by the National Eczema Association which only accepts products that have satisfied criteria for use for those with eczema or sensitive skin condition.
- [ 3 ESSENTIAL CERAMIDES ] Ceramides are found naturally in the skin and make up 50% of the lipids in the skin barrier. Lipids like ceramides fill in the gaps between skin cells so baby's skin can seal in moisture and keep impurities out.
Last update on 2023-03-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
SimplySunSafe’s final choice for sunscreens for psoriasis is CeraVe Baby Sunscreen.
With this formula, you receive broad spectrum protection with its active ingredients zinc oxide (11.4%) and titanium dioxide (7.4%).
CeraVe Baby Sunscreen is formulated for use on the most sensitive skin, that of a baby, and you can be sure that your psoriasis-prone skin will not be irritated by this product.
It was developed with dermatologists to ensure effective sun protection while remaining as gentle as possible.
The formula is thick and will leave a white cast if you don’t rub it in well. It can be worn under makeup, if you choose to use this on your face, as well.
You will find it suitable in your pursuit of sun therapy for your psoriasis, as it provides 80 minutes of water resistance.
This is another option that can be used daily, throughout the year!
- Formulated for sensitive skin
- 80 minutes of water resistance
- Higher SPF
- Thick formula
- Slight white cast
Conclusion
This guide was written for anyone interested in finding the best sunscreen for psoriasis. I hope that by reading this guide, you gained deeper knowledge about how to properly protect psoriasis-affected skin against the sun, and found a product that fits your specific needs.
SimplySunSafe recommends BADGER Sport Sunscreen SPF 35 but all 5 of the listed products will provide you with desirable and effective sun protection.
After reading this guide, it will be wise for you to test out a few different sunscreens. Each person’s skin reacts differently to products, so you want to know how your skin reacts. Once you have tested out a few sunscreens, you will be able to make a more informed decision about which sunscreen you want to use for your psoriasis.
I love learning new things and hearing about new products from other people. So if you use or know of any other sunscreen that works well with psoriasis, share it in the comments. I’ll take a look and maybe it will even end up on this list!
If you’d like sunscreen recommendations for other skin conditions, SimplySunSafe has a range of guides including sunscreen for dry skin, sensitive skin sunscreen, and sunscreen for eczema-affected skin. Just go to the top of this page and search for a condition to find the recommendations you’re looking for.
FAQs
Q: Is SPF good for psoriasis?
A: Psoriasis may make your skin sensitive, especially when you are using medication. Therefore, you need a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin from harsh rays. Since you have sensitive skin, it’s important to use sunscreen that is made for your type of skin.
Q: Does Sun make psoriasis worse?
A: When you have a skin condition such as psoriasis, your skin is more susceptible to flares. Moreover, if you get a sunburn, it will act as a trigger for psoriasis patches. As a result, this may lead to a major outbreak. However, some amount of sun may help as it contains UVB light which gives natural phototherapy to the aggravated skin.
Q: Does sunlight kill psoriasis?
A: Taking the time to soak up some sunshine is a good way of easing psoriasis. UVB rays from the sun can help relieve psoriasis. They slow down skin cells that grow too quickly, which reduces inflammation and scaling on those with mild to moderate cases of this condition.
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