How to Choose Sunscreen for Oily Skin

One of the problems of oily skin is protecting it from the sun. Sunscreen tends to clog pores, causing acne on shoulders and backs and may make oily skin worse. However, sunscreen manufactures have created sunscreens specifically for oily skins.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Determine whether you have oily skin. If your skin is shiny, it's oily and you will need to choose a sunscreen for oily skin.

2. Read the packaging to find sunscreens that are oil free. Sunscreens that are oil free are usually water or gel based. It's a bonus if you can find one that is fragrance free and moisturizes too (oily skin does benefit from moisturizers).

3. Consider getting a gel sunscreen if you're sweating or swimming since it won't rinse off as easily as water-based sunscreens.

4. Look at the SPF. Now is not the time to get a sunscreen with less SPF to avoid extra oils in the sunscreen. You need an SPF of at least 15 or higher to get enough protection from the sun. If you have pale, sunburn-prone skin, consider going no lower than 45 SPF.

5. Remember to remove the sunscreens before going to bed to prevent them from clogging your pores and worsening your oily skin.

6. Budget carefully since sunscreen for oily skin tends to be a little more expensive than other sunscreens.

Tips & Warnings

• Throw out last year's sunscreen. Older sunscreen won't work as well.

Resources

• Go to Coppertone to purchase oil-free sunscreens.
• Go to Neutrogena to purchase oil-free sunscreens.