These 17 Zinc Oxide Sunscreens Are Dermatologist-Approved

I’m sure I don’t have to tell you at this point that you need to wear sunscreen when you're outside. Not only does it prevent you from getting a sunburn, but sunscreen can also hold off premature aging caused by UV rays and, most importantly, prevent skin cancer. Men of all ages, and young men in particular, are at a high risk of both contracting and dying from skin cancer, and according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), sunscreen is the best tool we have in the fight against it. So before you head outside for your first shirtless run of the season, make sure your back is (literally) covered.

You may have noticed that there’s a lot of conversation about chemical versus mineral sunscreens right now. Chemical sunscreens use chemicals that sink into your skin to absorb and disperse harmful UV rays, while mineral sunscreens use ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to physically reflect rays away from your skin. For the record, whether these chemical sunscreens are harmful to our bodies is still being investigated (though we do know some of them are harmful to coral reefs and marine life).

The word “chemical” may sound scary and you could assume that zinc oxide sunscreen is better, but that’s not necessarily the case, says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D., Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research, Department of Dermatology at Mount Sinai in New York City. “The best sunscreen is the one that you are actually putting on your skin,” he says. “If it’s not on your skin, it won’t protect you.” Generally, for adequate protection, the AAD recommends a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and is labeled broad spectrum (which means it protects against both UVA and UVB light). Anything above that is “personal preference,” says Dr. Zeichner.

While both chemical and mineral sunscreens are effective, there may be a reason to choose one over the other. Mineral sunscreens that contain zinc oxide are ideal for people with sensitive skin or conditions, like rosacea or eczema, because “they’re less likely to cause irritation,” according to Dr. Zeichner. He also recommends wearing a zinc oxide sunscreen under a face mask, because the zinc forms a physical barrier on the skin and it can offer additional protection against potential irritation.

The downside of mineral sunscreens, most of which use zinc oxide, is that because they form a physical barrier, some can leave your skin looking chalky, greasy, or grayish white—or at least, that used to be the case. Now, there are plenty of dermatologist-recommended sunscreens with zinc that give you mineral protection without the side effects. Here are the 17 best zinc oxide sunscreens to use this summer, including options with titanium dioxide.

Read more: Best Sunscreens for Men