Your search for your new favorite facial SPF is over. Meet Curology’s sunscreen: A dermatologist-approved formula that’s designed especially for acne-prone skin. That means it just got easier to protect your face from harmful UV rays* while also avoiding breakouts, thanks to its non-comedogenic, oil-free formula. 

Sunscreen is an important part of any skincare routine because it protects against sun damage, which has the potential to lead to early signs of aging (like fine lines)—and, of course, even greater risks like skin cancer. But when you don’t particularly love the texture of your go-to sunscreen and it makes your skin greasy and pimple-prone, it’s much harder to maintain a habit of wearing SPF every single day. That’s why our pros at Curology worked to create a facial product that even those of us with oily skin will actually enjoy using, which you can effortlessly incorporate into your current Curology skincare routine.

Here’s what you need to know about the Curology sunscreen:

• It’s designed to be your go-to, daily face sunscreen.

• It’s a mineral sunscreen (aka, a physical sunscreen) with 9.4% zinc oxide.

• It offers broad spectrum SPF 30 UV defense.

• It’s non-comedogenic, which means it’s ideal for acne-prone skin.

• It has a silky, non-greasy texture, and leaves no white cast—perfect for everyday wear. 

• The size of the bottle is 40 mL or 1.4 fl oz

• It’s just $14 with a subscription to Curology’s Custom Formula.

Sunscreen is a non-optional product for a solid skincare routine, so you want to use one that you love. This dermatologist-designed formula was made to help create better sun protection habits—and to help you keep your skin looking and feeling great, so you feel your best, too.

What makes Curology’s sunscreen special?

Our team of skincare experts wanted to create a non-greasy product that would address all of your SPF concerns, without any of the negative side effects you might normally find in other SPF lotion options. The dermatologist-designed formula of Curology’s SPF 30 face sunscreen is made to work with your custom-made Curology routine to support your skincare goals. We know that every person’s skin is unique, but everyone needs sun protection—so we created a physical sunscreen that could work for all different skin tones and types, whether you have acne-prone skin, sensitive skin, or dry skin. 

What ingredients are in Curology’s sunscreen?

The key ingredient in Curology’s broad spectrum physical sunscreen is zinc oxide (9.4%), which is a mineral sunscreen filter that reflects UVA and UVB rays off the surface of the skin, reducing the risk of sun damage. This sunscreen ingredient is a physical blocker, which isn’t likely to cause acne breakouts. Some chemical sunscreen can irritate sensitive skin , so our experts opted for a physical sunscreen instead. Curology’s sunscreen is also reef-friendly and doesn’t contain ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which can cause environmental damage in the ocean.

Because Curology’s face sunscreen is non-comedogenic (aka, not pore-clogging), its ingredients list doesn’t contain anything that might exacerbate breakouts and clog pores, and since it’s fragrance-free, it’s well-suited to sensitive skin. It also has a few additional ingredients that can help keep dry skin feeling its best, making it the perfect complement to your favorite moisturizer. Plus, its broad spectrum SPF 30 defense helps to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Here are a few standouts from its ingredients list.

Squalane is a lightweight moisturizing ingredient¹ that can help skin to feel soft and hydrated, with a non-greasy finish.

Glycerin is another hydration hero.² It has humectant properties, which mean that it draws moisture into the surface of your skin. It’s a great moisturizer for dry skin, and it’s also non-irritating. 

Argania spinosa kernel oil, also known as argan oil, is rich in vitamin E,³ an antioxidant that helps protect skin against damage (so it’s great for anti-aging). Argan oil also has moisturizing properties.⁴ And don’t let the word “oil” scare you off—it’s non-clogging, so it won’t contribute to breakouts.

How to use Curology’s sunscreen

Sunscreen is an important everyday skincare product, and you should apply it each morning as part of your skincare routine. When it comes to the order of your skincare products, cleanser comes first and a face sunscreen comes last—here’s how your morning skincare routine should look:

• Wash your face with a cleanser.

• Apply a serum (if you’re using one).

• Moisturize with your favorite hydrating lotion. 

• Apply a facial sunscreen. Blend well.

• If you wear any makeup, you can apply that after your sunscreen. 

Because Curology’s sunscreen has a silky, non-greasy texture that absorbs easily into the skin, you can layer on liquid or powder makeup without any streaking and pilling.

To properly apply the sunscreen, shake the bottle and dispense with the pump facing downward. Spread the sunscreen generously over your face and neck at least 15 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply every two hours to ensure you’re staying protected—especially if you’re out in the sun. If you’re swimming or sweating, use a separate water-resistant sunscreen for max protection. And for children under six months old, consult with a medical provider before using. The sunscreen has a shelf life of 2 years.

Why it’s important to wear sunscreen

To best protect your skin, you should wear sunscreen every day—even when it’s cloudy, you’re inside all day, or if you have skin that is rich in melanin. A good broad spectrum face sunscreen doesn’t just help to prevent your skin from tanning and burning—it works hard to reduce sun damage that you might not even notice, for maximum anti-aging benefits. 

At Curology, we’re committed to helping you meet your long-term skin goals—and sun protection is a big part of that strategy. Here are a few benefits you’ll get from daily broad spectrum SPF sunscreen wear. 

Protection against skin cancer. UV radiation is the top contributor to skin cancers like basal cell skin cancer, squamous cell skin cancer, and melanoma. While sunscreen cannot prevent all sun damage and direct sun exposure can still cause harm, adequate sun protection—including wearing a sufficient amount of a broad spectrum sunscreen—helps lower the risk of skin cancer.  

Reduced risk of early signs of aging. Up to 90% of visible aging is due to the harsh effects of sun damage. Luckily, a broad spectrum SPF lotion that protects skin from UVA and UVB rays can help reduce early signs of aging, like wrinkles, fine lines, sagging, and age spots. 

Diminished hyperpigmentation. If you have dark spots from old acne lesions, sunscreen is helpful in keeping your complexion as even as possible. UV rays can damage pigment-producing cells called melanocytes, which, as a result, overproduce melanin and lead to hyperpigmentation. So, if you want to prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from darkening overtime, remember to use a good broad spectrum SPF for these anti-aging benefits. Remember: Tanning may seem like a fun summer activity, but there’s no such thing as a healthy tan, so be sure to practice good sun protection with a broad spectrum sunscreen when you head outdoors.

Why we made a face sunscreen

Finding your best face sunscreen can be a pretty taxing experience. From greasy finishes to white casts to non-layerable formulas that pill on your skin, there are a lot of not-so-great sunscreen side effects out there. Especially if you deal with acne prone-skin, the thought of adding a product to your routine that might exacerbate your breakouts is far from appealing.

But a broad spectrum sunscreen is a non-negotiable part of every person’s skincare routine—it’s necessary to wear every single day, whether you spend your time indoors or outside. A good sunscreen will absorb quickly, melting into your skin without leaving any awkward-looking streaks. So, you get the broad spectrum SPF coverage you need—protecting against skin cancer caused by UV radiation, reducing early signs of aging, and diminishing the risk of dark spots and hyperpigmentation—with a silky, matte finish that’s designed to work well on all skin tones and skin types, from sensitive skin to dry skin to oily skin. 

If you use skincare products, like serums and cleansers, with active ingredients (like those found in your Curology formula), sunscreen is especially important because some actives can make your skin extra-sensitive. Tretinoin, for example, is a powerful retinoid with anti-aging benefits that can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun (aka, it makes you more prone to getting sun damage from UV rays). 

How to get Curology’s sunscreen

If you’re an existing Curology patient you can easily add the face sunscreen to your routine—just add it to your next shipment for an additional $14 (plus tax where applicable), and it’ll arrive straight at your door, along with the rest of your custom routine. 

If you’re new to Curology, you can try the broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen for free* (yes, that’s right!). All you have to do is take our skincare quiz and upload some photos so our dermatology providers can evaluate your skin and prescribe a Custom Formula with the right mix of active ingredients for your unique skincare needs. After a consultation, if Curology is right for you, we’ll send you a 30-day supply of our recommended products—including the face sunscreen. All you have to do is pay $4.95 for the cost of shipping and handling for your free trial of Curology.

Get your personalized skincare routine with Curology

Get your personalized skincare routine with Curology

Start your skin quiz

If you have any questions along the way, Curology’s licensed dermatology providers are here to help you navigate all your skincare questions. Knowledge is power—and learning more about how to best protect and care for your skin will help you to keep your complexion looking and feeling as good as possible. 

PS. We did the research so you don't have to:

1. Anisha Sethi, et al. Moisturizers: The Slippery Road. Indian J Dermatol.(2016, May-June)

2.  Anne Harwood, et al. Moisturizers. StatPearls Publishing. (2022 January)

3.  Gérard Lizard, et all. Benefits of Argan Oil on Human Health. Int J Mol Sci. (2017, June 28).

4.  Tzu-Kai Lin, et al.Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. Int J Mol Sci. (2017, December 27).

*Trial is 30 days. Subject to consultation. Cancel anytime. 

*Sunscreen cannot prevent all harm from UV rays.

Written by

Curology Team

Medically reviewed by

Nicole Hangsterfer, PA-C