In order to help you enjoy the sun while dealing with skin conditions, we’ve come up with the best sunscreen for melasma. These products were carefully evaluated based on their active ingredients that can assist you in the fight against this particular issue without interrupting your vacation. We believe these products are the best on the market that will fit your skincare needs.
Melasma is a common skin issue, that affects many people. It is a condition that demands proper and diligent understanding. Choosing an appropriate product is almost imperative.
That is especially when the sun can be in contact with your delicate skin. Our advice is to find a sunscreen that works well for you, as you cannot afford to deepen your issues.
Let’s take a look at the best sunscreens for those with melisma.
More...
Quick Overview: Our Top Picks for the Best Sunscreen for Melasma
OUR TOP #1 PICK - The Thinkbaby SPF 50 Sunscreen is our number one option for the best sunscreen for melasma. The first feature which we considered important is that it doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals. We also highly appreciate that it is free of nano-sized particles. That means the active ingredients can protect the skin without penetrating too deep to disrupt the reactions occurring in the organism.
OUR TOP #2 PICK - Second on our list is the La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen. We chose this sunscreen because it is lightweight and full of antioxidants that can help nourish skin. We also like that it is lightly tinted. The presence of Dimethicone can aid in smoothing the fine lines and wrinkles.
OUR TOP #3 PICK - Our number three option is the Elta MD UV Shield SPF 45. We selected this sunscreen because it can block both UVA and UVB rays with zinc oxide. It is also lightly tinted. Thus, we think it can be suitable for people who are insecure about their skin but don’t want to wear makeup.
OUR TOP #4 PICK - Fourth on our list is the Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen with Cellular Response Technology SPF 50 due to its oil-free formula. One of our favorite features is that it can protect the skin from the harsh rays, as well as from the consequent photoaging. Plus, we noticed this sunscreen could hydrate deeply while preventing breakouts.
OUR TOP #5 PICK - Number five on our list is the CoTZ SPF 40 Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin because it was created specifically for people with sensitive skin, including those with melasma. It can protect from sun damage while using only naturally derived Zinc Oxide. But what’s more, it can prevent future discoloration problems.
What is Melasma?
Melasma is a skin condition that causes discoloration. It tends to occur on the face, but it can become visible in other parts of the body, too.
It is most common on the nose, chin, forehead, and cheeks. Women are more likely to get melasma than men. Women ages 20 to 50 are the most typical sufferers.
You can get melasma during pregnancy as well. It seems likely that the changing hormones can trigger it. Starting or stopping birth control pills can also activate this condition.
Other things that may cause melasma are sun exposure and genetics. That can be seen by the fact that people with olive or darker skin are more likely to experience it.
Research shows that women of Latin or Asian descent are more prone to get melasma while pregnant.
Melasma is characterized by the gray-brown patches of skin that appear on the face or other parts of the body.
There are no other symptoms otherwise, but the condition can cause self-esteem issues. One of the best treatments is using sun protection.
Applying sunscreen is very important for people with melasma, but it may not be enough. Dermatologists recommend wearing hats and other protective clothing while out in the sun.
Dermatologists can also prescribe creams to help lighten the affected areas. For those who have extreme cases or want to make the condition vanish, certain procedures can be of help.
Microdermabrasion and laser treatments may come to the aid.
Advice for Finding a Sunscreen for Melasma
Since using sun protection is one of the best ways to prevent and treat melasma, we need to take a look at the characteristics of the best sunscreens.
First, you should always use a sunscreen that protects your skin from both UVA and UVB rays.
UVB rays are the ones to blame for causing sunburns, and UVA rays can lead to premature aging and melanoma.
Both of these types can damage the skin, so both need to be blocked from penetrating. You also need a proper level of protection. Shoot for at least SPF 15.
Finding a sunscreen between SPF 30 and 50 is ideal, however. Let’s look at a breakdown of the levels of protection for different SPF.
An SPF 15 can protect your skin from 93 percent of UVB rays, while an SPF 30 can protect from 97 percent of UVB rays.
At an SPF level of 50, we can be sheltered from 98 percent of the UVB rays. Anything over SPF 50 doesn’t really do much more for your skin.
It takes SPF 100 to block out 99 percent of UVB rays, so there isn’t much difference. There are two main kinds of sunscreens: chemical and physical.
Physical sunscreens use active ingredients to reflect sunlight away from the skin.
The active ingredients found in chemical sunscreens can absorb the sun’s rays before they get to your skin.
Physical sunscreens are better for people with melasma because they prevent the UV radiation from reaching the skin.
Two of the most common physical sunscreens are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
Zinc oxide is more efficient than titanium dioxide, but both are better options than oxybenzone, which may disrupt hormones because it mimics estrogen.
Product Reviews: Our Top Five Choices of the Best Sunscreens for Melasma
Quality
Price
Our Rating
Number one on our list is the Thinkbaby SPF 50 Sunscreen. We selected this product because it is made without avobenzone, oxybenzone or other harsh chemicals.
We consider a significant trait that it was the first one to pass the Whole Foods Premium Care Requirements.
This sunscreen is created with care even for the sensitive skin. It is designed to give us a maximum protection with minimal chances of irritation.
One of our favorite things about this sunscreen is that it has an SPF level of 50 and it is water resistant for up to 80 minutes.
It is one of the few sunscreens for sensitive skin that possess this feature, which makes it unique.
Thinkbaby SPF 50 Sunscreen was formulated without hormone-disrupting sunscreen ingredients or carcinogens. It only uses natural compounds.
That can make it a better option for melasma sufferers, as chemical sunscreens could be more dangerous and less effective.
We like that this sunscreen also contains aloe vera, which can help soothe damaged skin.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Quality
Price
Our Rating
Second on our list is the La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen.
We selected this sunscreen because it can protect our skin from the sun while also delivering valuable antioxidants to nourish it deeply.
We liked that it is tinted, which means we can choose to wear it daily without makeup. And yet, we don’t have to forego the desired looks. It can also be worn under makeup.
It comes in two different shades for people of different skin tones. Unfortunately, these nuances may not work for everyone.
However, we did fall in love with the matte finish which can prevent us from looking greasy. This sunscreen is an SPF 50, which can give us the proper protection we have been commenting on.
Its water resistance for up to two hours also impressed us. It is fast absorbing, but make sure that it is fully rubbed in before sweating or getting wet.
Otherwise, it may cause a white residue on the skin.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Quality
Price
Our Rating
Number three on our list of best sunscreen for melasma is the Elta MD UV Shield SPF 45. Its formula doesn’t contain any oils that can clog the pores.
By now we know well that this can cause acne or irritation to skin, especially when it comes to melasma.
This sunscreen can act as a shield for both UVA and UVB rays with an SPF 45 to prevent sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer.
It uses zinc oxide, which is a physical sunscreen that merely helps to reflect the sunrays, rather than absorbing them.
And while zinc is known for leaving a white residue, we found this product easy to rub in.
So we liked that we didn’t notice anything left behind. The formula is light and moisturizing without being thick and pasty.
After testing it out, we believe it can suit best people with oily to normal skin. It may not be hydrating enough for those with dry skin.
We love that this sunscreen can be worn under makeup or by itself.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Quality
Price
Our Rating
Number four on our list is the Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen with Cellular Response Technology SPF 50.
We enjoyed its SPF 50 level of sun protection that can block both UVA and UVB rays.
This moisturizing sunscreen can prevent dehydration in the skin without oils. Oils could cause acne by clogging pores, which can further irritate melasma.
Instead, this product was created to purify the complexion.
Another significant feature is that it can help to defend us against sunburn, as well as photoaging and skin cancer.
We like that this sunscreen is lightweight and absorbs into the skin quickly. We think this can be especially appropriate for times when we are applying it in the last minute.
Another reason to like this sunscreen is that it doesn’t contain oxybenzone. Research shows that Oxybenzone can accumulate and lead to hormone disruptions.
Instead, this product relies on the potent features of homosalate, octocrylene, octisalate and avobenzone.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Quality
Price
Our Rating
The CoTZ SPF 40 Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin is fifth on our list.
We appreciate that it was made for use on skin after harsh treatments like cosmetic surgery, laser treatments, chemical peels and microdermabrasion.
It doesn’t contain any oils, fragrances, preservatives or chemical sunscreens. We liked it isn’t greasy on the surface of the skin, and it doesn’t break down in the sun.
While it can protect us from both UVA and UVB rays, it is also water resistant for up to 40 minutes.
This sunscreen was made to not irritate skin. While testing it, we didn’t feel any stinging or burning.
Since it doesn’t contain any phthalates or PABA, along with the other compounds that can lead to adverse reactions, it is less likely to cause inflammation.
Unfortunately, if you are going to be in the water for an extended amount of time, you should bear in mind that it doesn’t last very long. That means you will have to reapply it very frequently.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
The Bottom Line
Our number one pick for the best sunscreen for melasma is the Thinkbaby SPF 50 Sunscreen.
The Zinc oxide in the formulation is not nano-sized, which can make it especially appropriate for aiming melasma sufferers.
This particular feature means that it cannot penetrate the skin too deeply, so the chance for adverse reactions is significantly lower compared to products using nano-sized particles.
Its formula is also light and can help to moisturize us properly.
We love that this sunscreen combines Aloe vera, Cranberry seed oil, Vitamin C and Hyaluronic acid to target acne-prone conditions, inflammation and even fine lines and wrinkles.
We do, however, hope to be of your assistance in ranking our top five sunscreens for melasma.
We believe our selection can reach many different people to help in taking the right decision to target their needs.
We would be more than happy if you let us know how they worked for you in the comments section.
