If you’ve ever had dark spots on your skin that look like large freckles and seem to appear without reason, you may have experienced melasma. This is a common skin condition that typically clears up on its own. If you have melasma-prone skin, daily sunscreen application is one of the easiest ways to prevent hyperpigmented spots from forming. While sunscreen is a must, it can be difficult to find the best option. In this blog, we breakdown the basics of the best sunscreens for melasma as recommended by trusted dermatologists.

What Is Melasma and What Causes It?

Melasma is a common skin condition that causes brown or gray-brown patches to appear on the face, most often on the cheeks, forehead, nose, and upper lip. It occurs when melanocytes—the cells responsible for producing pigment—become overactive, leading to excess melanin production. While anyone can develop melasma, it’s more common in women and those with darker skin tones. Although not harmful, melasma can be persistent and challenging to treat, making daily sun protection a key part of managing it.

Common Signs of Melasma

How do you know if you have melasma? Look for the common warning signs, including:

• Symmetrical dark spots – melasma often presents in a mirrored pattern across both sides of the face or other areas.
• Hyperpigmentation – these darker patches are typically darker than the surrounding skin, appearing brown, blue-gray, or ashy, depending on natural skin tone.
• No physical discomfort – unlike acne, rosacea, psoriasis, and other chronic inflammatory skin conditions, melasma doesn’t hurt or itch. It’s purely cosmetic.

Who Develops Melasma?

Melasma affects an estimated 5–6 million people in the U.S. While anyone can develop it, certain individuals are considered higher risk, including:

• Women – around 90% of those with melasma are female. Specifically, melasma is more common among pregnant women and those taking hormonal contraceptives.
• People with darker skin tones – melasma is more common in Fitzpatrick skin types III–VI (olive to deep brown), as these skin tones produce more melanosomes or melanin.
• Individuals exposed to sun and heat – UV radiation and excessive heat can trigger or worsen melasma flareups.

What Causes Melasma?

The reason that certain people’s skin cells are triggered to produce more melanocytes and trigger melasma flareups isn’t entirely clear. However, the internal and external factors that contribute to a greater chance of developing this condition include:

• Sun exposure – UV radiation is the most significant external trigger for melasma. Sunlight stimulates melanocytes to produce more pigment, and even short-term exposure can cause a melasma flareup.
• Hormonal changes – increased levels of estrogen and progesterone, whether naturally fluctuating during pregnancy or introduced to the system through hormonal birth control, activate melanocytes.
• Genetics – while there is no specific DNA marker that indicates melasma, this condition tends to run in families. If a close relative has it, you may be at higher risk.
• Other triggers – heat, blue light from devices, skin damage or inflammation, cosmetic products, and other external and internal aggressors may trigger flareups.

Does Sunscreen Help Melasma?

Given the chronic nature of melasma and its tendency to recur, prevention and consistent melasma skincare, especially sun protection, is critical. Sunscreen is the cornerstone of melasma prevention. Dermatologists emphasize that without proper sun protection, other therapies are likely to fail or not yield the optimal results. Here are some of the ways that daily sunscreen use protects skin from damage that triggers flareups and boosts the results of melasma treatments:

• The main purpose of sunblock is to prevent UVA and UVB rays from damaging skin and stimulating pigment production.
• Using a tinted sunscreen for melasma that contains iron oxides shields skin from high-energy visible (HEV) light like the blue light from phones and computer screens as well as LED light.
• Many sunscreens have calming ingredients like niacinamide to minimize irritation and reduce inflammation.

Ingredients to Look for in Melasma Sunscreens

Not all sunscreens offer the same benefits, so it’s important to choose a high-quality product formulated with the right melasma-fighting ingredients. To make the best choice, look beyond the SPF and examine the ingredient list for the following recommended actives and supporting ingredients:

• Iron oxide – this is a staple in tinted and mineral sunscreens. Iron oxide sunscreen blocks visible light that contributes to melasma, especially for individuals with darker skin tones. Sunblock with iron oxide is ideal for individuals frequently exposed to indoor light, screens, and urban pollution.
• Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide – these minerals are found in most physical sunblock. These ingredients are UV filters that sit on the skin’s surface and block out UV rays. Gentle and non-irritating, sunblock that uses these ingredients is suitable for sensitive skin. Plus, there’s no need to wait around after you apply your sunscreen. You are immediately protected from sun damage.
• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) – this is usually seen as a supporting ingredient. It protects and strengthens the skin barrier, reducing inflammation and pigmentation. With regular use, niacinamide lightens existing discoloration.
• Vitamin C and other antioxidants – skin damage from the sun and pollution causes oxidative stress, generating  harmful free radicals. Other forms of oxidative damage are food spoiling and metal rusting. Free radicals attack skin, leading to uneven tone and texture as well as more serious concerns like skin cancer. Antioxidants are found in many sunscreens because they prevent damage caused by free radicals and keep skin bright and healthy.

Dermatologist-Recommended Sunscreens for Melasma

Having so many good sunscreen options available is a positive and negative. It can be overwhelming when you’re trying to choose the best option. If you struggle with melasma-prone skin, our trusted dermatologists make the choice a little easier by providing the following recommendations:

Revision Skincare Intellishade TruPhysical

Type: Tinted mineral sunscreen

Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, vitamin C, green tea, coenzyme Q10

Why It’s Great:

• Creates a physical barrier against UVA/UVB rays.
• Packed with antioxidants for antiaging benefits, skin brightening, and melasma prevention.
• The tint in this sunscreen evens skin tone.
• Provides hydration and a lightweight application that’s ideal for daily use.

Best For: Those who have dry or mature skin types seeking an all-in-one antiaging and sun protection product.

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EltaMD UV AOX Elements SPF 50

Type: Tinted mineral sunscreen

Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, antioxidants, hyaluronic acid

Why It’s Great:

• Gentle and soothing for sensitive and melasma-prone skin.
• Antioxidants reverse photoaging and prevent damage from environmental stressors.
• Hydrates skin without clogging pores.

Best For: Those with sensitive skin, dry-to-combination skin types, or mild acne.

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Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Glow SPF 50

Type: Tinted mineral sunscreen

Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, iron oxides, niacinamide, bisabolol

Why It’s Great:

• Broad-spectrum protection with added blue light and pollution defense.
• Water-resistant (up to 40 minutes), making it great for water and sport use.
• Available in multiple finishes for optimal tone-matching.
• Tinted with iron oxides to block high-energy visible light, making it especially effective for melasma-prone patients.

Best For: Active individuals or anyone needing extra protection from environmental stress.

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Skinbetter Science Sunbetter Sheer SPF 70 Sunscreen Lotion

Type: Sheer mineral sunscreen

Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, antioxidants

Why It’s Great:

• One of the highest SPF ratings (70) in a mineral formula.
• Silky-smooth finish that wears comfortably under makeup.
• Non-comedogenic and tested for sensitive skin.

Best For: Prolonged sun exposure and post-procedure skin.

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Alastin Skincare HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36

Type: Lightly tinted mineral sunscreen

Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, antioxidants

Why It’s Great:

• Combines sun protection with deep hydration.
• Ideal for application under makeup or as a one-and-done skin tone corrector and sun protector.
• Provides sun and environmental protection with an antioxidant boost.

Best For: Normal to dry skin types.

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Explore More Sun Protection & Skincare Products

If you’re managing melasma, don’t skip sunscreen. Browse our selection of top-rated, dermatologist-approved sunscreens to protect and improve skin tone. Melasma might be stubborn, but the right skincare routine and daily sunscreen application make it easier to manage. Explore sunscreens and more in our dermatologist-curated list of quality skincare products from DermSkincare, and if you’re looking for more skin health tips and recommendations, come back to read our blog regularly.