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Those of us who have oily and acne-prone skin know the struggle that is trying to find the right sunscreen. For us, a sunscreen has to strike that perfect balance of providing enough sun protection while not causing unwanted breakouts. And no other type has done it as perfectly as water-based sunscreens.
Water-based sunscreens, as New York dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD describes them, are an alternative to oil-based sunscreens and designed to absorb into the skin more rapidly. Dr. Engelman says that they are lightweight and have a gel-like consistency that doesn’t leave behind residue.
New York dermatologist Jordan Talia, MD agrees and adds that they can come in both chemical and physical formulas, making it easy for anyone to incorporate them into a daily skin-care routine.
To see just how beneficial water-based sunscreens are for those with oily and acne-prone skin (or really just anyone) and more, Dr. Engelman and Dr. Talia give us the complete breakdown below. Read on to learn more about the sunscreen you should probably be using.
Featured Experts
- Dendy Engelman, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York
- Jorda Talia, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York
The Benefits
Dr. Engelman says that water-based sunscreens are lightweight, which allows them to absorb into the skin quickly and leave behind little to no residue. They’re ideal for oily and acne-prone skin as they typically won’t clog pores, while still providing the skin moisture and sun protection.
The Downsides
There are very few downsides to wearing a water-based sunscreen. But one that both Dr. Engelman and Dr. Talia highlight is how it might come off when you’re swimming or if you tend to sweat a lot. Dr. Engelman explains that this happens because water-based sunscreen is water soluble, making it more susceptible to wearing off when it comes into contact with water.
Dr. Talia recommends looking for a water-based sunscreen that is labeled “water resistant” so you have an idea of just how long it will stay on while in water.
Who Is It For
Water-based sunscreen can work for all skin types, but both experts agree that it is especially beneficial for those who are prone to acne or have oily or sensitive skin. Dr. Engelman explains that because water-based sunscreens are typically non-comedogenic, they are designed not to clog your pores and cause unwanted breakouts.
How to Tell if Your Sunscreen Is Water-Based
Dr. Talia says water-based sunscreens have been developed to have more of a moisturizing effect on the skin compared to their oil- or silicone-based counterparts. She adds that a lot of water-based sunscreens will be labeled as such, either on the bottle or on the manufacturer’s website. When looking at an ingredient list, Dr. Engelman says to look for ingredients such as aqua, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, or glycerin, as they usually indicate that a formula is water-based.
How to Use a Water-Based Sunscreen
You apply a water-based sunscreen the same way you would any other sunscreen. Dr. Talia recommends applying a thin layer to sun-exposed areas about 15 minutes before you head outdoors. She also advises looking for one that at least has SPF 30 or greater and one that can protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. Dr. Engelman adds that you’ll want to reapply as directed, typically every two hours or 40 minutes if you tend to sweat a lot or plan to go swimming.
With all that in mind, Dr. Talia and Dr. Engelman share their picks (and we threw in some of our faves) of water-based sunscreens they recommend. See the 15 best ones below.
Expert-recommended water-based sunscreens
