innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen for oily acne-prone skin
Avobenzone
Homosalate
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Centella Asiatica Extract
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
High
- HighOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for oily acne-prone skin; a few sunscreens fit it even better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
- Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Highly suitable for your oily skin, this sunscreen offers excellent UV protection with homosalate and ethylhexyl salicylate, while Centella Asiatica Extract and Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits to help manage breakouts.
- The formula also includes ingredients like butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane for broad-spectrum coverage, further supporting your goal of managing acne and oiliness.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Apply this sunscreen AM as the final step of your morning skincare routine. Reapply every two hours when exposed to the sun for continuous protection.
- Apply after your moisturizer as the last step before makeup. Do not apply anything on top of your sunscreen.
- Gently spread a coin-sized amount evenly across your face and neck. Avoid harsh rubbing to prevent disturbing the protective layer.
- Apply on completely dry skin after your moisturizer has fully absorbed. This ensures the sunscreen forms an even, protective barrier.
- Avoid direct contact with your eyes during application. Do a patch test before first use to ensure no irritation occurs.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 3.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this water-based chemical sunscreen is highly recommended for dry to normal skin types due to its lightweight, lotion-like consistency that hydrates and provides a dewy, glass-skin finish without any white cast. Users with oily or acne-prone skin frequently report a greasy or shiny appearance, and a notable number of individuals with sensitive eyes experience stinging, often attributed to the fragrance and chemical filters.
Highlights
Hydrating texture Mostly Mentioned
- “feels like a moisturizer”
- “skips my morning lotion”
- “soothing green tea ingredients”
Glowy finish Often Mentioned
- “gives a healthy dewy glow”
- “glass skin effect”
- “great under makeup”
No white cast Often Mentioned
- “completely invisible on dark skin”
- “zero cast, clear finish”
- “blends in like a lotion”
Greasy/shiny finish Often Mentioned
- “too oily for my skin”
- “looks like a greaseball”
- “shiny T-zone by noon”
Affordable price Sometimes Noted
- “great value for the price”
- “cheaper than other Sephora SPFs”
Eye irritation Sometimes Noted
- “stings my eyes badly”
- “makes eyes water”
- “burns when sweating”
Strong fragrance Sometimes Noted
- “scent is too overpowering”
- “smells like herbal perfume”
- “lingering floral smell”
Causes breakouts Rarely Noted
- “clogged my pores”
- “caused small whiteheads”
- “broke me out”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, amazon.com, innisfree.com, reddit.com, youtube.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen is a great fit because it protects your oily skin from the sun while using Centella Asiatica Extract and Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract to help manage breakouts. It is very safe and unlikely to cause irritation.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
Which ingredients make this sunscreen a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
This sunscreen is a great fit for your oily acne-prone skin because it uses homosalate and ethylhexyl salicylate for strong sun protection. It also features Centella Asiatica Extract and Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, which help calm your skin and manage breakouts.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
What does Avobenzone do for oily acne-prone skin?
Avobenzone helps protect your skin from sun damage, but it does not treat oily or acne-prone skin on its own. Sunscreens for this skin type need ingredients that feel light, absorb excess oil, and won't clog your pores.
What does Homosalate do for oily acne-prone skin?
Homosalate acts as a UV filter in sunscreen to protect oily and acne-prone skin from sun damage without feeling heavy. Chemical sunscreens containing this ingredient show a very low likelihood of causing skin irritation or breakouts.
Where does this sunscreen go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This sunscreen goes as the last step in your morning routine, right after your moisturizer. It is very safe and unlikely to cause any irritation for your oily skin.
Can I use this sunscreen with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this sunscreen in the morning as the final step after your moisturizer and before makeup, while applying your retinol at night. This sunscreen is unlikely to cause irritation on oily skin, and its calming plant extracts help manage breakouts.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
How often should I use this sunscreen?
You can use this sunscreen every morning as the final step of your daytime routine. It has a high fit for oily acne-prone skin because it offers reliable sun protection and calming plant extracts that help manage breakouts with very little risk of irritation.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
Can this sunscreen clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This sunscreen is a great fit for your oily acne-prone skin and is unlikely to cause breakouts, as it is free of harsh or prohibited ingredients that trigger irritation. Its formula includes Centella Asiatica Extract and Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, which help calm the skin and manage breakouts.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2025Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
Is this sunscreen fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum). Arachidyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, and cetyl alcohol are fatty alcohols, which soften the skin.
What the research says
An anti-acne hydrogel containing Aloe barbadensis, Garcinia mangostana, and Camellia sinensis extracts showed superior antiacne and antiblotch activities compared to 1% clindamycin gel in sixty subjects with mild-moderate acne.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.
Molecules, 2023Chemical sunscreens containing avobenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, and octisalate showed no to minimal risks of dermal irritation, sensitization, photo-allergy, and photo-irritation in human subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2025Encapsulation of ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane in lipid microparticles significantly reduced their in vivo human skin penetration compared to nonencapsulated filters.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2011Microencapsulation of the BMDBM/HP-beta-CD complex in lipid microparticles significantly decreased the percutaneous penetration of the UV filter into the stratum corneum of human volunteers compared to the non-encapsulated sunscreen agent.
Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 2011Following human skin application of an O/W emulsion containing 2% BMDBM loaded in lipospheres, 15% of the sunscreen accumulated in the uppermost layers of the stratum corneum without remarkably modifying skin permeation compared to unencapsulated sunscreen.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2008Dermal application of a sunscreen containing 10% homosalate in four volunteers resulted in delayed elimination with terminal half-times around 24 h and a bioavailability of cis-homosalate a factor of 2 lower than trans-homosalate, while metabolite ratios supported using oral-route urinary excretion fractions for dermal exposure assessments.
Archives of Toxicology, 2024Homosalate exhibited the highest permeation among tested filters with a relative permeability rate of 4.2% and a depth of 60 um, and specific thickeners and emulsifiers successfully reduced its permeation without inhibiting the skin permeation of niacinamide.
Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, 2026An online-SPE-LC-MS/MS method successfully quantified specific urinary homosalate metabolites for up to 96 hours after dermal sunscreen application in a volunteer and detected metabolites exclusively in three German pilot participants who had used sunscreen within five days.
Analytica Chimica Acta, 2021Topical application of 0.05% w/w ECa 233 gel reduced erythema index by 0.03 U and improved early crusting and general wound appearance compared to placebo in thirty individuals undergoing facial laser resurfacing.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical green tea extract significantly improved clinical symptoms, tear breakup times, and meibomian gland health compared to standard treatment in patients with dry eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 2017Topical low-dose green tea extract reduces UVB-induced p53 expression and apoptosis in human skin keratinocytes compared to placebo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2009Topical application of green tea extract encapsulated chitosan microparticles improved skin elasticity, melanin index, and facial wrinkles compared to a placebo in female volunteers without causing skin irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
Ingredients
Water, Homosalate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Cetyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Propanediol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Octyldodecanol, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Centella Asiatica Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, T-Butyl Alcohol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Vine Extract Flower Leaf, Tocopherol, Glycerin, Witch Hazel Leaf Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Orchid Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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