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Lupus is a life-threatening autoimmune disease that affects the skin in many different ways. One such way is sensitivity due to light. That is why I have decided to try out the best sunscreen products to use while you or someone close to you has lupus. It is important that you take care of your skin. So here at BeautiClassy, we want to bring to light the best sunscreen to help protect your and your loved ones’ skin when they have lupus!
Top 10 Best Sunscreen for Lupus
| Image | Product Name | Check Price |
|---|---|---|
 | Best Overall EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 Face Sunscreen | $38.95 In amazon |
 | Best Sheer Tint for Healthy Glow CeraVe Tinted Sunscreen with SPF 30 | $13.30 in amazon |
 | Best for Non-Greasy Lightweight Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 70 | $21.48 in amazon |
 | Best for Water Resistant with Vegan Thinkbaby SPF 50+ Baby Sunscreen | $12.87 in amazon |
 | Best for Face Sunscreen La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50 | $37.99 In amazon |
 | Best for Moisturize & Hydrate Skin Australian Gold Spray Gel Sunscreen with Instant Bronzer SPF 50 | $17.44 in amazon |
 | Best for Actinic Damage ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica Zinc Oxide | $60.00 in amazon |
 | Best for Acne-Prone Skin Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 | $19.99 in amazon |
 | Best for Reef-Friendly Badger SPF 40 Sport Mineral Sunscreen Cream | $15.29 in amazon |
 | Best for Face and Neck Protection Sun & Shine Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 | $11.99 in amazon |
1. Best Overall – EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 Face Sunscreen
Specification
- SPF: 46
- Skin Type: All; especially for sensitive skin
- Material Type: Lotion
- Volume: 1.7 oz.
- Scent: Unscented
Description
Try one of the best dermatologist-recommended sunscreen lotions in the EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 Face Sunscreen. Get the perfect amount of sunscreen for your face with sensitive skin!
Features
Broad-spectrum coverage: be protected against both UVA and UVB rays
Soothe acne-prone skin: calm and soothe your acne scars
No residue: leaves no residue and can be worn under makeup
How to use
When you want to wear sunscreen, especially for lupus, you need to cover any part of your body that is uncovered. Make sure to apply a thick layer of sunscreen all over your face, blending it in through an upward circular motion and spreading it evenly across your face. Do this especially around your face with the butterfly pattern. Make sure to apply it on the neck and behind the ears. Once you have it on, wait 15 to 20 minutes before you head out. That way the sunscreen’s active ingredients will start working as soon as you hit the sun.
Expert Verdict
When you have lupus, you will be needing sunscreen that provides at least a 45 SPF rating. The EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 Face Sunscreen provides exactly that! It is non-comedogenic so you know that your skin will be well-protected and won’t have any clogged pores too. It’s non-oily and has no fragrance, making it something you can wear on your face very easily. It is even good for acne-prone skin, which gives it an all-around performance! With hyaluronic acid, you can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles too! Truly a product that gives you coverage on all parts of skincare, especially for people who have lupus. All of this makes it my best overall sunscreen for lupus. The only downside is you get little to no water resistance so make sure you aren’t sweating when you have this on!
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Non-comedogenic | Not water resistant |
| No fragrance | |
| Great for acne-prone skin | |
| Reduces wrinkles and fine lines | |
| Perfect amount of sun protection |
2. Best Sheer Tint for Healthy Glow – CeraVe Tinted Sunscreen with SPF 30
Specification
- SPF: 30
- Skin Type: All; especially for sensitive skin
- Material Type: Mineral sunscreen
- Volume: 1.7 oz.
- Scent: Unscented
Description
A combination of titanium and zinc allows the CeraVe Tinted Sunscreen with SPF 30 to give a sheer tint that gives your skin a healthy glow and a hydrated face!
Features
Hydrating: keeps your face feeling hydrated
No white cast: leaves no residue
Natural barrier: give your skin the natural barrier it needs with 3 essential ceramides
How to use
Apply a thick layer of sunscreen on your face and around the butterfly pattern on your face. Mix and blend it in your face through an upward circular motion. Carefully apply it around your eyes and under your eyes too. Make sure to cover the neck, nape, and back of ears as well! Apply to your lips as well by placing a dot on the center and then spreading it to the edges. Wait 15 minutes before heading outside.
Expert Verdict
When you want a sheer tint from your sunscreen that gives a natural glow, nothing beats the CeraVe Tinted Sunscreen with SPF 30! It works to give your face the hydration that it loses. The natural barrier of the skin is also rejuvenated from the essential ceramides in this product. The great thing about this product is that you can wear it as a primer too, giving your makeup an extra bit of lasting power while also protecting you from the sun. The downside is that this product only has an SPF rating of 30, which means you have to apply a thicker layer on your face to give you the best protection against the sun. Otherwise, it is great for people with lupus who have naturally dry skin.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Hydrates the skin | Only 30 SPF; need to apply a thick layer for max protection |
| Gives a sheer tint that acts as a primer | |
| Natural barrier with ceramides | |
| Natural glow of the face |
3. Best for Non-Greasy Lightweight – Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 70
Specification
- SPF: 70+
- Skin Type: Normal and dry skin
- Material Type: Mist spray
- Volume: 5 oz.
- Scent: Unscented
Description
Tackle all the sun-related issues you may have with lupus with the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 70! Great protection and fast-absorbing spray.
Features
Fast-absorbing: easy to apply that is fast-absorbing
Invisible finish: leaves behind no residue or mist on your body
Helioplex technology: provides the ultimate sun protection
How to use
As this is a spray-on sunscreen, you will have to first apply it on your hands and then rub it on your face. Make sure to get enough of the mist on your hands and spread it over your face, neck, nape, and behind the ears. Do not apply it directly to your face! When applying on your body, make sure to rub it in well and spread it evenly across the surface of the skin. Wait about 15 minutes after applying to get the greatest effect under the sun.
Expert Verdict
When you want a sunscreen that you can rely on to give you maximum protection against the sun, then there is none better than Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 70! The spray-on mist provides an easy application and is so fast-absorbing that you won’t even realize that you have sunscreen on. It is water resistant, making it a sunscreen that you can have all day long too! On the downside, some of the ingredients are irritating to the skin so make sure to check the label to see if you are allergic to any of them.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy application and fast absorbing | Has ingredients that are not good for sensitive skin |
| Perfect sun protection with lupus | |
| Water-resistant |
4. Best for Water Resistant with Vegan – Thinkbaby SPF 50+ Baby Sunscreen
Specification
- SPF: 50+
- Skin Type: All
- Material Type: Mineral sunscreen
- Volume: 3 oz.
- Scent: Unscented
Description
Get the best out of the Thinkbaby SPF 50+ Baby Sunscreen that can be used on babies too!
Features
Natural ingredients: be safe and worry-free with natural vegan ingredients
Clean mineral formula: zero PABA, parabens, phthalates, BPA, oxybenzone, avobenzone, petroleum, gluten, dairy, or toxic chemicals.
Water resistant: be worry-free about sweat or water
How to use
As a mineral sunscreen, you would have to apply a thick layer of sunscreen on your face and around the butterfly pattern on your face. Mix and blend it in your face through an upward circular motion. Carefully apply it around your eyes and under your eyes too. Make sure to cover the neck, nape, and back of ears as well! Apply to your lips as well by placing a dot on the center and then spreading it to the edges. Wait 15 minutes before heading outside.
Expert Verdict
Even though this is marketed towards babies, the Thinkbaby SPF 50+ Baby Sunscreen works great for lupus patients! The natural ingredients make it so that the product will not affect the skin conditions that you will have with lupus. Providing a 50 SPF rating makes it so that you will be all around protected from the harshest of sun too. The water resistance is an added bonus to give you a great day out without having to worry about sweat taking off the sunscreen. However, it is very thick so it’s harder to apply and leaves a white cast as a result.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Great sun protection for lupus patients | Leaves a white cast; not easy to blend |
| Great water resistance for sweating | |
| Works on all types of skin; even baby-safe |
5. Best for Face Sunscreen – La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50
Specification
- SPF: 50
- Skin Type: All; especially for sensitive skin
- Material Type: Mineral sunscreen
- Volume: 1.7 oz.
- Scent: Unscented
Description
Get the best out of the ultralight fluid sunscreen from La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50! Protect your face from the sun with its titanium and zinc minerals.
Features
No irritation: leaves no marks on your face and gives a matte finish that won’t irritate your face
Tinted sunscreen: gives an orange tint to your face
Acne-prone and large pores: have no worries about large pores or acne-prone skin
How to use
Remember to shake this product well before use to spread the minerals inside. Then only about as much as two-finger worth of the product and apply it on your face after cleansing it. Then spread it over your face, blending it in as smoothly as possible. Take a bit more of the product and then spread it over your neck, nape, and back of the ears and wait 15 minutes for the sunscreen to be absorbed into your skin.
Expert Verdict
What can I say about the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50, it really makes your face glow up! It leaves a matte finish so you won’t notice it, just an orange tint so make sure that you have a complexion that matches the tint. The orange tint can work to cover the butterfly pattern on a lupus patient’s face. It works great for acne-prone skin and large pores on your face, covering it well after use. It also has a bit of water resistance to it so you get that protection as well! The only bad about it is that fact the ultralight liquid is very runny. You will need to shake the container to get a thick consistency of the sunscreen.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Orange tint that covers up butterfly pattern on a lupus patient | A bit runny; need to shake it well before applying |
| Works great for acne-prone and large pores | |
| Added water resistance for sweat |
6. Best for Moisturize & Hydrate Skin – Australian Gold Spray Gel Sunscreen with Instant Bronzer SPF 50
Specification
- SPF: 50
- Skin Type: All; especially for sensitive skin
- Material Type: Spray gel
- Volume: 8 fl oz.
- Scent: Unscented
Description
Australian Gold Spray Gel Sunscreen with Instant Bronzer SPF 50 is an innovative hybrid of a continuous spray and a traditional lotion, fitting for those looking for control, hydration, and convenience, plus temporary color for an immediate glow!
Features
Spray gel: a spray that works just like a traditional sunscreen
Certified for Australian sun: great protection for even the harshest of Australian suns
Hydration: leaves your skin feeling hydrated
How to use
This is a unique product. What you want to do is shake the container well and then spray the gel-oil-like cream onto your hand. Take only spray and then apply it all over your face, blending in as much as you can. Then take another pump of spray to apply it all over your neck and behind the ears. For the body, you can directly spray on your body and then smooth it over the surface of the skin. Leave it on for 20 minutes before heading out in the sun!
Expert Verdict
What I like about the Australian Gold Spray Gel Sunscreen with Instant Bronzer SPF 50 is it gives a nice bronze tint to hide the butterfly pattern on your face. It leaves your skin feeling hydrated and helps to moisturize it too with its oil-gel-like consistency. While it might oily, it in fact does not feel oily at all! It’s non-greasy so you can be sure to get great sun protection without it feeling like oil is dripping down your face. The bad; it might stain light-colored clothes so do be careful when you are using it.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Hydrating and moisturizing | Might stain light-colored clothes |
| Non-greasy | |
| Nice light bronze tint to blend in your butterfly pattern |
7. Best for Actinic Damage – ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica Zinc Oxide
Specification
- SPF: 50
- Skin Type: All; especially for actinic damage
- Material Type: Mineral sunscreen
- Volume: 3.4 fl oz.
- Scent: Light fragrant smell
Description
Be worry-free of any actinic damage that you might have from the sun with ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica Zinc Oxide!
Features
Vitamin E oxidant: great oxidation on your face with vitamin E and provides skin barrier
Photolyase enzyme: helps repair actinic damage with enzymes
Added water resistance: get up to 40 minutes of water resistance
How to use
Firstly, you will have to shake the bottle well to get an even mixture of minerals in the sunscreen. Then, apply a thick layer of sunscreen on your face and around the butterfly pattern on your face, mixing and blending it until it absorbs into the skin. Carefully apply it around your eyes and under your eyes too. Make sure to cover the neck, nape, and back of ears as well! Apply to your lips as well by placing a dot on the center and then spreading it to the edges. Wait 15 minutes before heading outside.
Expert Verdict
For lupus patients, actinic damage is a given due to how sensitive to light the skin becomes. That is why ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica Zinc Oxide helps to take care of all that instantly! The oxidant in the form of vitamin E provides a natural skin barrier while the photolyase enzyme helps to repair all the sun damages you have on your skin. It is fast absorbing so make sure to rub it in well enough so that there is no white cast on your face after using it. However, this product is a bit drying so you might want to pair it up with a moisturizer to get the maximum benefit in repairing the sun damage.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Vitamin E oxidant for skin barrier | Not that moisturizing; need to pair it up with a gentle moisturizer |
| Photolyase to repair sun damages | |
| Fast absorbing |
8. Best for Acne-Prone Skin – Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30
Specification
- SPF: 30
- Skin Type: All; especially for acne-prone face
- Material Type: Lotion
- Volume: 1.69 fl oz.
- Scent: Green tea smell
Description
Meet your dream sunscreen for acne-prone skin in the Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30. Serving SPF 30 with a smooth, skin-like finish that won’t clog pores.
Features
Light as a feather: feels light to the touch
For acne breakouts: soothe over your acne scars and prevent further breakouts of your skin
Green tint: helps to cover the redness of the skin
How to use
After shaking the bottle well, take one big pump on your hand and rub it onto your face. Make sure to blend it all over your face, neck, and behind your ears as well.
Expert Verdict
When you have lupus, acne breakouts are bound to happen. You will need a sunscreen that provides both the benefit of sun protection and acne treatment. That is why the Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 is just what you will be needing! It provides just enough SPF to protect you from the sun and gives great benefits for acne to prevent future breakouts with green tea extracts. The green tea extract also gives it a green tint that helps to cover the redness from the butterfly pattern on your face too! The only problem with this is that it might leave a white cast on a darker complexion so watch out for that.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Covers redness with green tea extract’s tint | Leaves white cast on darker skin complexion |
| Prevents future acne breakouts | |
| Lightweight |
9. Best for Reef-Friendly – Badger SPF 40 Sport Mineral Sunscreen Cream
Specification
- SPF: 40
- Skin Type: All; especially for active sports
- Material Type: Mineral cream sunscreen
- Volume: 2.9 fl oz.
- Scent: Unscented
Description
Keep the reefs safe and get the water resistance you need from the Badger SPF 40 Sport Mineral Sunscreen Cream. Works well for people who are active in sports too!
Features
Reef-friendly: protects the corals with its clean ingredients that don’t bleach them
Water resistance: get up to 80 minutes of constant water contact
Cleaning and moisturizing: helps to clean the face and keeps it moisturized
How to use
Make sure to shake the tube well to get an even mix of minerals in the sunscreen. Then squeeze a little on your hand and rub it thoroughly. Then apply it all over your face, neck, and behind the ears. Rub it in well and blend it in properly until it is absorbed on the skin, leaving behind the minerals to protect you from the sun. If you want to use it on the rest of your body, make sure to apply it as thickly as possible and spread it evenly over the surface of the skin.
Expert Verdict
While someone with lupus might not be able to go to the beach due to direct sunlight, it does not mean you can’t hang out there under the shade like the Badger SPF 40 Sport Mineral Sunscreen Cream. This sunscreen will keep you covered from the sun while giving you nice and moisturized skin underneath the sunscreen. It’s also great for water resistance so you can enjoy the waves when the sunlight isn’t so bright when sunset is approaching. Along with that, it is reef-friendly so you won’t be harming the endemic life of the coral reefs either! If that doesn’t interest you as someone with lupus, this is one of the best for sports or outdoor activities that involve sweating so you can be worry-free under the sun outside for a good 70 to 80 minutes! It can be a little thick which makes application tough so make sure you rub it in your hand before applying it on your face.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Great for outdoor activities | Hard to apply because of the thick consistency |
| Great water resistance for sweating | |
| Moisturizing |
10. Best for Face and Neck Protection – Sun & Shine Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
Specification
- SPF: 50+
- Skin Type: All; especially for sensitive skin
- Material Type: Mineral lotion sunscreen
- Volume: 1.7 fl oz.
- Scent: Unscented
Description
Protect your neck with the Sun & Shine Mineral Sunscreen Lotion: SPF 50! Both formulated for sensitive skin and is fragrance-free!
Features
Everyday use: can use it every day, even if you don’t go outside in the sun
Natural ingredients: including shea, aloe vera, chamomile, and calendula
Sensitivity: have no worries about breakouts and irritation on sensitive skin
How to use
Squeeze a little of the product and spread it across your face and neck, rubbing it in until it absorbs in the skin. Use your fingertips to rub it in an upward circular motion to get the best coverage. Don’t forget the back of your neck and behind the ears too. Wait for 20 minutes before heading out in the sun.
Expert Verdict
Your face and neck are the most vulnerable spots on your body when out in the sun. When it comes to lupus, you will have to be extra careful about it as well. That is why the Sun & Shine Mineral Sunscreen Lotion: SPF 50 is one of the best sun protection you can get! Its natural ingredients also mean that you won’t have to worry about breakouts either, making it great for sensitive skin. It is quite thick so expect it to be hard to spread and leave a white cast on your face.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Natural ingredients | Leaves a white cast |
| Great for sensitive skin | |
| Good sun protection |
What is a Good Sunscreen for Discoid Lupus?
Discoid lupus is the most common type of lupus out there. Most people with discoid lupus can expect to live a relatively normal life but have major skin issues on the face with round lesions forming and sensitivity to sunlight. That is why it is important to choose a sunscreen that works well with discoid lupus.
For a good sunscreen, you will need one that provides broad-spectrum coverage (both UVA and UVB). A mineral sunscreen is what will be the best instead of a chemical sunscreen as the zinc and titanium oxides will stay on the surface and provide sun protection.
You should also watch out for Helioplex and Mexoryl 5 as they provide very good protection against the sun. You can expect Helioplex in Neutrogena sunscreen while meoryl 5 you can expect in La Roche-Posay Anthelios series of sunscreen. Sunscreen that is great for sensitive skin will give you the added bonus for your lupus-related skin conditions too.
Does Sunscreen Work with Lupus?
The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) used to state that SPF 15 was enough rating for sun protection for lupus patients. However, that rating needs to be much higher now with newly found evidence. Ones that have a 30 SPF rating might be too low too or need to be applied in a very thick consistency to provide viable sun protection.
With the new evidence, it is suggested that you will need something close to a 50 and above rating, where an SPF 70 rating would provide the best protection. Even though it is only a 1% increase in sun protection (SPF 50 provides 98% while SPF 70 provides 99%; no sunscreen provides 100% protection), the coverage it provides will be key.
So yes, even though lupus patients have extra sensitivity against the sun, SPF 50 and above will provide the greatest protection against the sun. So you can definitely go out and enjoy the sun if you cover all visible areas of your skin with sunscreen!
FAQs
1. What should I wear in the sun with lupus?
You should wear a hat that covers your head, face, and the back of your neck. Loose-fitting long-sleeved clothes are a must to be able to protect your skin well. Lastly, apply sunscreen to all exposed parts of your body to better protect it.
2. Does sunscreen help with lupus?
Sunscreen does help with lupus. Make sure it is a mineral sunscreen that you can use on sensitive skin and has an SPF rating of at least 50 and up to give you the best protection.
3. What weather is worst for lupus?
Cold weather with sunny skies is the worst for lupus. Not only will you have to worry about your skin drying from the cold, but also sun damage too!
4. How do you calm a lupus skin flare-up?
An anti-inflammatory steroid, known as corticosteroids, can help calm a skin flare-up for lupus patients.
5. What vitamins should I avoid with lupus?
People with lupus should avoid vitamin E supplements, but they are perfectly fine to have on your skin in the form of a cream or sunscreen.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it, the best sunscreens for lupus! Even if you have lupus, it should not mean that you cannot enjoy a normal life. With the right sunscreen for you, you can expect a good day out without worrying about the sun damaging your skin. With this, I hope I helped you decide on the sunscreen that will give you the best protection. As always, stay classy!
