The simple answer is “yes.” “The eyelids and the area around the eyes are common locations for skin cancer,” says board-certified dermatologist and LovelySkin CEO Dr. Joel Schlessinger, who is also a Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon. “Because the skin around your eyes is very thin, it’s especially susceptible to damage from the sun’s rays, potentially resulting in basal cell carcinoma and photodamage in the form of fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots.”

To make sure you’re giving this delicate area proper protection, you can look for a sunscreen that’s specifically formulated for the skin around your eyes. “The challenge, though, is to find a product that is safe for the eyes and one that doesn’t cause irritation or allergies,” Dr. Joel Schlessinger says. “Fortunately, there are several that I fully recommend.” As an added bonus, eye sunscreens often double as under-eye concealers and offer anti-aging benefits as well, helping you get the most for your time and money.

The 5 best eye sunscreens

Using a dedicated sunscreen for eyes can be an effective tool in your sun safety lineup, alongside sunglasses with broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection and a wide-brimmed hat. The most important feature of an eye sunscreen is that it’s broad-spectrum, which means it protects your skin from both UVA and UVB rays.

If you’ve avoided applying sunscreen near your eyes because you’ve had issues with sunscreen burning your eyes or running into your eyes when you sweat, finding the right formula can help. “If you’re looking for a sunscreen that doesn't burn your eyes, I recommend using a mineral-based formula with zinc oxide or titanium oxide instead of chemical sunscreen filters, as they can cause eye irritation for some people,” says Dr. Daniel Schlessinger, board-certified dermatologist as well as Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon. Here are five of our favorite sunscreens for eyes, all with mineral-based formulas for comfortable everyday wear.

Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35

This eye sunscreen from mineral sunscreen specialist Colorescience provides broad-spectrum SPF 35 protection with 7.9% titanium dioxide and 6.7% zinc oxide. It comes in different shades—from fair to deep—to help immediately brighten the under-eye area and correct dark circles and puffiness. Snow mushroom extract and glycerin provide instant hydration, while algae extract, peptides and amino acids work together to smooth fine lines and wrinkles. “I used this product after a recent laser procedure on my eyes and found it very easy to use and simple to apply,” Dr. Joel Schlessinger says. “I had no irritation whatsoever and it served as a nice cover-up when I wanted to be seen without redness during the recovery phase.”

EltaMD UV AOX Tinted Eye Broad Spectrum SPF 30

This soothing sunscreen for eyes from EltaMD does double duty by providing broad-spectrum sun protection and reducing signs of aging in one quick step. This sunscreen doesn't burn your eyes and contains 15% zinc oxide to protect your eyelids and under-eyes from both UVA and UVB rays and features a subtle universal tint that works with most skin tones. Sodium hyaluronate, the salt form of hyaluronic acid, provides an instant plumping effect to help crow’s feet look less prominent while antioxidants such as vitamin E help repair and strengthen skin.

jane iredale Enlighten Plus Under-Eye Concealer

From iconic makeup line jane iredale, this full-coverage concealer protects while it corrects thanks to broad-spectrum mineral sunscreens (4.5% zinc oxide and 15% titanium dioxide) and potent peptides and amino acids that help reduce puffiness and improve under-eye texture. It offers buildable coverage that doesn’t crease or cake and comes in a range of shades to match most skin tones.

bareMinerals BarePro 16HR All Over Skin-Perfecting Matte Concealer SPF 25

With more than a dozen shades in warm, cool and neutral undertones, you’ll be sure to find your perfect match with this full-coverage under-eye concealer from mineral makeup brand bareMinerals. It’s formulated for sixteen-hour wear and dries to a matte finish. In addition to 2.89% zinc oxide for broad-spectrum sun protection, it also contains niacinamide to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time.

TiZO Eye Renewal Mineral Sunscreen SPF 20

If you are looking for an under-eye sunscreen without a tint or concealer built in, this transparent formula from TiZO could be a good match for your routine. It provides effective broad-spectrum sun protection with 9% zinc oxide and is designed for use with or without makeup. A multi-peptide complex goes to work on fine lines and wrinkles and a touch of caffeine helps reduce puffiness.

Now that you’re on the way to find the eye sunscreen that works best for your routine, the next move is to find a new favorite face sunscreen. On the LovelySkin Blog, you can learn more about the best non-tinted physical sunscreens for acne-prone skin, the best sunscreens for sensitive skin, the best invisible sunscreens and more.