The Best Sunscreens for Melasma That Dermatologists Swear By
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While any sunscreen worth a spot in your beach bag will protect your skin from sun exposure, the best sunscreens for melasma are critical if you want to prevent brown-toned hyperpigmentation—which is often called the “mask of pregnancy,” since it’s partly fueled by hormones—or keep it from getting worse. For one, any melasma treatment is practically useless without them. But on top of that, these offer both broad-spectrum protection from UV rays and an added layer of defense against another kind of light—one that’s coming at you from your laptop or phone screen as you read this.
“Certain pigmentary skin conditions, like melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, can worsen considerably with exposure to both ultraviolet light and visible light,” says Pooja Rambhia, MD, a board-certified dermatologist practicing in New York City and Greenwich, Connecticut. Along with blue light from devices, visible light comes from the sun, incandescent light bulbs, neon lights, and even candle flames. In short, it’s all around us. And according to Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Birmingham, Alabama, “Research has shown that visible light penetrates deep into the skin, which can make melasma worse.”
Best Overall: Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, $82
Best Shade Range: Tizo Tinted Moisturizing Serum Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen, $50
Best Drugstore: Neutrogena Purescreen+ Mineral UV Tint Face Liquid Tinted Sunscreen, $16
Best for Brightening: Ranavat Brightening Mineral Sunscreen, $65
Best for Mature Skin: Isdin Photo Eryfotana Ageless Ultralight Emulsion Broad Spectrum SPF 50, $50
Best for Dry Skin: Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50, $64
Best for Touch-Ups: Avène High-Protection Tinted Compact, $42
While many non-tinted sunscreens offer broad-spectrum coverage to protect the skin against ultraviolet light, only "tinted sunscreens can provide additional coverage against both ultraviolet light and visible light,” Dr. Rambhia says. Those with melasma should also consider choosing mineral sun protection (which uses active ingredients titanium dioxide or zinc oxide to reflect the sun’s rays away from skin) over chemical alternatives for their daily sunscreen. The reason? According to Dr. Hartman, mineral sunscreens use UV filters that block both UVA and UVB rays from being absorbed by the skin.
Chemical sunscreens, while great for a lot of people, use filters that turn the sun’s rays into heat within the skin. “This can be triggering to anyone prone to melasma or who has melasma,” says Dr. Hartman. “When you have melasma, you want to try to avoid skin getting overheated, so you don’t trigger the mechanism in the skin that creates an overabundance of melanin, which leads to melasma.” (For that reason, it’s critical to use sunscreen with mineral filters if you’re dealing with other forms of hyperpigmentation, too, like dark spots from sun damage or following an acne breakout.)
Of course, there’s no shortage of tinted mineral sunscreens on the market. But which of these are the best for pairing with a melasma treatment? Keep reading. Ahead, we’ve rounded up the seven best sunscreens for melasma to add to your skin-care routine for peak UV protection.
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What type of sunscreen is best for melasma?
Is tinted sunscreen better for melasma?
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Alastin Skincare
Why it’s worth it: An Allure editor favorite, Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen is a favorite among dermatologists and editors alike, and it’s especially helpful for those with dry skin. “I'm a fan of this because it’s a zinc-based sunscreen formulated with hyaluronic acid, peptides, and other moisturizing agents," says Melanie Palm, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in San Diego, CA. Plus, with a lightweight feel that’s not always a given for mineral formulas, “it wears so comfortably that you genuinely will want to apply it—and reapply it—every two hours,” says shopping director Shanna Shipin, who dealt with both melasma and redness during pregnancy. The non-comedogenic formula has the glowy finish of a top-shelf skin tint, and it’s available in a neutral hue that works for most skin tones.
Tester feedback from shopping director Shanna Shipin
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“In addition to dry skin, I have redness and pregnancy-related melasma on my face, and this sunscreen evens everything out while it brightens—I truly never feel the need to wear base makeup when I use this!”
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Type of sunscreen: mineralTinted: yesKey ingredients: photoene, phytofluene, ectoin
Tizo
Why it’s worth it: Available in five buildable shades, Tizo Tinted Moisturizing Serum is a top pick for Dr. Rambhia. Powered by 15% zinc oxide, “this sophisticated mineral formula combines sun protection with a silky serum texture that works beautifully on darker complexions,” she says. It’s also enriched with hydrating hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides to nourish skin and leave it slightly more radiant with every swipe.
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Type of sunscreen: mineralTinted: yesKey ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides
Neutrogena
Why it’s worth it: Iron oxide joins the mineral filters in the Neutrogena Purescreen + Mineral UV Tint Face Liquid Tinted Sunscreen; that’s a big deal, as it allows the formula “to provide crucial visible-light protection while offering a natural finish that enhances, rather than masks, skin tone,” says Dr. Rambhia. But if you want a little more coverage, rest assured: This was designed to layer seamlessly under makeup. Available in four shades ranging from Light to Deep, the budget-friendly sunscreen also offers broad-spectrum, mineral SPF 30 protection and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
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Type of sunscreen: mineralTinted: yesKey ingredients: vitamin E, iron oxides
Ranavat
Why it’s worth it: Made with a proprietary Adaptogenic Shield Complex that pairs antioxidant-rich adaptogens with zinc oxide, Ravavat’s Brightening Mineral Sunscreen swathes the skin in a cloak of protection from sun exposure and blue light alike. It’s also infused with saffron to brighten and squalane for moisture. With a peachy, pearly hue designed to blend into any skin tone, this tinted mineral sunscreen has a fan in Nina Desai, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Manhattan Beach, California. Not only does it deliver SPF 50, but it “melts into the skin and leaves it hydrated and glowy,” she says. “I love that it combines a great SPF with the brightening powers of saffron.”
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Type of sunscreen: mineralTinted: yesKey ingredients: saffron, squalane, Adaptogenic Shield Complex
Isdin
Why it’s worth it: For those who want a barely-there feel from their sun protection, Isdin Photo Eryfotana Ageless Ultralight Emulsion Broad Spectrum SPF 50 is “a very light, quickly absorbing sunscreen that is non-comedogenic,” Dr. Rambhia says. “It also contains a peptide complex that helps to support collagen production to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and it blends into a broad range of skin tones.” The formula also gets a thumbs-up from Dr. Hartman. “This is a 100% mineral sunscreen that utilizes zinc oxide for sun protection, plus DNA repair enzymes to aid in skin healing and Vitamin E for antioxidant protection and repair,” he says, noting that he uses it personally. “Finding a mineral sunscreen that doesn’t leave a white cast can be a challenge for darker skin tones, but I find this product is easy to apply and doesn’t leave a cast or leave skin feeling greasy.”
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Type of sunscreen: mineralTinted: yesKey ingredients: zinc oxide, proprietary DNA Repairsomes, peptide Q10
Tatcha
Why it’s worth it: Jane Yoo, MD, MPP, a double-board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon in New York City, encourages her melasma patients to use a tinted SPF like Tatcha Silk Sunscreen. It “glides on like silk, and it has hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, which makes it moisturizing,” Dr. Yoo says. “This is especially helpful if you’re getting dry from using a retinoid at night—you won't get any extra peeling.” In a sleek, lilac bottle, the elegant formula is also made with silk extract. Its pinkish tint disappears into any skin tone, and it has a dewy finish that gives the skin a healthy-looking, sun-kissed glow. Water and sweat-resistant, the non-comedogenic formula is also gentle on sensitive skin.
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Type of sunscreen: mineralTinted: yesKey ingredients: hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, silk extract
Avène
Why it’s worth it: Housed in a dainty mirrored compact suited for touch-ups on the go, Avène High-Protection Tinted Compact is a cream-to-powder formulation (making it supremely easy to blend) that comes in two shades. That’s part of the reason Dr. Yoo likes it; plus, she says, “it gives really good foundation coverage and has vitamin E.” A potent antioxidant, vitamin E can help protect the skin from visible light. Avène’s formula also contains titanium and zinc oxides for broad-spectrum sun protection, and it has a splash of the brand’s signature thermal water to soothe irritated and sensitive skin. “A lot of my mature skin patients really like this one,” Dr. Yoo says.
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Type of sunscreen: mineralTinted: yesKey ingredients: squalane, iron oxides, silica
For melasma, mineral sunscreens with broad-spectrum protection are ideal—especially those that contain iron oxides, says Asmi Berry, DO, a board-certified medical and cosmetic dermatologist in Glendale, California. “Iron oxides, which are found in tinted sunscreens, help block visible light, a known trigger for melasma, particularly in medium to deeper skin tones.”
Dr. Hartman, for his part, also recommends looking for mineral sunscreens with SPF 50 or higher, which provides a solid level of protection for patients with melasma. “Sunscreens with antioxidants are also beneficial for patients with melasma as they are anti-inflammatory and aid in reducing free radical damage in the skin,” he says.
“Tinted sunscreens do offer additional benefit over non-tinted sunscreens—particularly when pigmentary conditions such as melasma are of concern, which disproportionately affect people with skin of color,” says Dr. Rambhia.
She adds that one 2015 study showed that tinted sunscreens containing iron oxide are more effective than non-tinted sunscreens in preventing melasma relapses. Another 2018 study showed that daily application of tinted sunscreen reduced the appearance of general hyperpigmentation after 30 days, whereas non-tinted sunscreen was associated with no reduction. “This highlights that tinted SPF is beneficial in general for anyone with hyperpigmentation, whether it’s related to melasma or not,” she says.
Asmi Berry, DO, FAAD, is a board-certified medical and cosmetic dermatologist at BHSkin Dermatology Practice in Glendale, California
Nina Desai, MD, is a board-certified medical and cosmetic dermatologist at Pure Dermatology & Aesthetics in Manhattan Beach, California.
Corey L. Hartman, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama
Pooja Rambhia, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City and Greenwich, Connecticut, with specialized fellowship training in cosmetic dermatology and laser surgery
Melanie Palm, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in San Diego, CA
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For our review of the best sunscreens, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, and contributors. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
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