Why You Need Sunscreen when on Acne Medication

Acne treatments do more than fight breakouts. They often change how your skin reacts to sunlight. Many prescription and over-the-counter products can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays, even when it’s cloudy or you're just walking to your car. Daily sunscreen is essential to protect your skin while your treatment does its job.

Why acne treatments increase sun sensitivity
Some of the most effective acne treatments, like retinoids (tretinoin, adapalene) and oral antibiotics (doxycycline, minocycline), thin the top layer of your skin or weaken its natural defense against sunlight. Even common ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or exfoliating acids (like AHAs and BHAs) can leave skin more vulnerable.

When your skin is thinner or more reactive, it does not take much sun exposure to trigger irritation or damage.

What can happen without sunscreen
If you skip sunscreen while using acne treatment, your skin may become:

• Red, itchy, or inflamed
• Easily sunburned, even with short sun exposure
• More prone to peeling and dryness
• Slower to heal from breakouts
• More likely to develop dark spots or scarring
• Vulnerable to long-term sun damage and early signs of aging

Even one sunburn can set your treatment back by weeks. If your skin becomes too irritated, your provider may ask you to pause or stop treatment.

How to protect your skin

• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every morning.
• Look for "non-comedogenic" on the label to avoid clogging pores.
• Consider mineral-based sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide if you have sensitive skin.
• Reapply every 2 hours when outside, or after swimming or sweating.
• Cover often-missed areas like your ears, neck, hairline, lips, and the area around your eyes.

Extra benefit: Sunscreen helps fade acne marks faster by preventing sun-triggered darkening. It also supports your treatment so you can stay on track without needing to stop or slow down.

Sources to learn more:
Mayo Clinic | National Institute of Health | Johns Hopkins