Best Tinted: Isdin Eryfotona Ageless Tinted Mineral Sunscreen
Isdin
Eryfotona Ageless Tinted Mineral Sunscreen
Why it’s worth it: For acne-prone skin that could use extra coverage, Isdin’s Eryfotona Ageless Tinted Mineral Sunscreen is a true multitasker. Its subtle, one-size-fits-all tint helps minimize the look of active breakouts, while titanium dioxide provides 100% mineral protection. But there’s also plenty happening within the lightweight, quick-absorbing emulsion, too: The brand’s patented DHR Technology, a proprietary blend of plankton-derived photolyase enzymes, helps “address existing signs of sun damage,” Maya Thosani, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Scottsdale, Arizona, previously told Allure; meanwhile, peptides smooth the look of fine lines, vitamins C and E offer an antioxidant boost, and glycerin and panthenol soothe and hydrate. In other words, it covers a whole lot of bases—literally.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
“My mineral sunscreens have to be tinted—I have too much pigment in my skin to deal with the chalkiness. My skin is a medium olive with neutral undertones. I love that this pulls double duty to not only protect my skin from sun damage but also actively works to even out my skin tone. That’s a big deal since I, like most people with deeper skin, am very prone to dark spots. Plus, it smells and feels like nothing.” –Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
- Formula type: mineral
- Key ingredients: 16.1% titanium dioxide, palmitoyl tripeptide-38, plankton extract, vitamin C, vitamin E, photolyase enzymes, glycerin, panthenol
- Shades: 1
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
Is chemical or mineral sunscreen better for acne-prone skin?
Ultimately, it comes down to what feels good on your skin. “With sunscreen, there is a lot of trial and error to see what feels nice on your skin and what doesn’t make you break out,” Nazanin Saedi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and associate professor of dermatology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. “I tell patients that the right sunscreen is out there—just have the patience to find it.”
Mineral sunscreens (also known as physical sunscreens) are generally safe for sensitive or acne-prone skin because they sit on the top of the skin, says Elaine F. Kung, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, so they’re less likely to irritate. And because mineral formulas include zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, they’re naturally noncomedogenic and anti-inflammatory, making them extra appealing for acne-prone skin.
Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, are less likely to leave a visible residue and “rely on organic filters that absorb UV rays,” Erin Kil, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, previously told Allure. There are a few chemical filters, including oxybenzone, that can potentially irritate some people. But like any new skin-care, be sure to patch test before applying.
Meet the experts
- Elaine F. Kung, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Future Bright Dermatology
- Erin Kil, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Francesca Lewis, MD, a Delray Beach, Florida-based dermatologist
- Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Toronto
- Jane Yoo, MD, a dual board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon based in New York City
- Kelly Dobos, a Washington, DC-based cosmetic chemist
- Maya Thosani, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Scottsdale, Arizona
- Nazanin Saedi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and associate professor of dermatology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia
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When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best sunscreens for acne-prone skin, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists and cosmetic chemists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
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