The 18 Best Mineral Sunscreens, Vetted By Editors and Experts
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Sunscreens come in two forms: chemical and physical (also known as mineral). While both types protect your skin against the sun, they go about this differently. Mineral sunscreens sit on top of the skin to block UVA and UVB rays from penetrating, whereas chemical sunscreens absorb into the skin to convert UV rays into heat that can be released from the skin. Both types have their pros and cons, but if you’re partial to using physical formulas, we’ve whittled down a list of our favorites for you ahead. Whether you’re looking for a face sunscreen (like La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sunscreen), a body sunscreen (like Vacation Mineral Lotion Sunscreen ) or a sunscreen for your kids (like Mustela Baby Mineral Sunscreen Spray), here are the 18 best mineral sunscreens, according to the experts and editors.
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The Best Mineral Sunscreens At a Glance
Meet the Experts
How We Chose the Best Mineral Sunscreens
We tapped our editors to share their favorite mineral sunscreens and provide their honest insights for each product. We also reached out to dermatologists, who provided science-backed recommendations that they use on themselves and on their patients. From there, we did a deeper dive into each sunscreen’s key ingredients, SPF levels and other noteworthy benefits to make your selection even easier.
1. EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen
Dermatologists, reviewers and editors alike adore this EltaMD sunscreen. It’s non-comedogenic (read: it won’t clog your pores), has niacinamide (aka vitamin B3) and lactic acid to help clear up and calm your skin. As far as the user experience goes, it’s creamy to the touch, blends easily and has no trace of fragrance. “This [sunscreen] is my favorite. It's so lightweight on my acne-prone skin and it doesn't pill underneath my makeup, which is always a plus,” shares Olivia Dubyak, commerce editor at PureWow.
2. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sunscreen
Dr. Watchmaker recommends this sunscreen because it glides nicely onto the skin and offers a high SPF to protect against the sun. The oil-free formula has titanium dioxide, senna alata (a leaf extract that’s rich in antioxidants and helps treat infections and irritation) and thermal spring water to soothe skin. It’s also fast-absorbing, water-resistant for up to 40 minutes and it has a soft matte finish.
3. Vacation Mineral Lotion Sunscreen
Meet the sunscreen that’s made for beach days. As Dr. Hale shares, “I recommend [this pick] to my patients looking for a broad-spectrum zinc-only sunscreen for the body. It contains nourishing ingredients like niacinamide and shea butter, so it goes on smooth and doesn’t leave your skin [looking or] feeling chalky.” The formula also has allantoin and cucumber extract to soothe and calm skin, which is great for those scorching summer days.
4. Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint
If you like a product that works as both a daily SPF and makeup, look no further than this super-popular skin tint from Ilia. It has zinc oxide to protect your skin against the sun and a whole slew of beneficial ingredients (think: hyaluronic acid, plant-based squalane and niacinamide) to hydrate and plump the skin. Plus, it offers light to medium coverage and leaves a dewy finish behind, giving you a natural makeup look. “I wear this on work from home days or when I'm going outside for walks. It's moisturizing, has a lightweight coverage and it has SPF, so I feel like it's doing good things for my skin (as opposed to wearing a heavy foundation that feels heavy and might clog my pores),” says Emily Brozyna, social content lead at PureWow.
5. Kosas DreamBeam Mineral Sunscreen
This Tiktok favorite sunscreen has peptides, ceramides and hyaluronic acid to plump, hydrate and brighten the face. It also melts into the skin without looking and feeling too greasy, making it a great primer for any makeup looks. For one editor, it’s been a staple sunscreen for her and her mom. “I was so impressed by the creamy formula and soft dewy finish that I forced my 59-year-old mom to give it a go. She has rosacea and very sensitive skin, so when it comes to skincare, she’s one tough cookie. Basically, her skin tells no lies. Even the slightest hint of a fragrance can set her skin aflame in a bright red blunder,” says Stephanie Meraz, associate fashion commerce editor at PureWow. “Upon application, she noticed her skin turned slightly pink solely due to rubbing the SPF in, but she didn’t feel a thing besides feeling good. She loved how lightweight it felt on her skin, acting as the perfect base for makeup (something I fully agree with). After eight hours of wear under a full face of makeup, her skin still looked flawless.”
6. Innisfree Daily UV Defense Mineral Sunscreen
If you have dry or combination skin, this K-beauty sunscreen can help tackle your concerns. As Epley explains, “It’s the first mineral sunscreen I've seen that is color-correcting and has a solid SPF number. The green tint helps neutralize redness and the formula has amazing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane and cica, so it’s doing double duty—skincare and sun protection in one.”
7. Kinship Self Reflect Sport Sunscreen
If you combine your most hydrating moisturizer with sunscreen, you'd get this nourishing formula from Kinship. Featuring a triple-ceramide complex of three plant-based lipids and non-nano zinc oxide, the sport sunscreen helps strengthen your skin's moisture barrier, while fully protecting your skin and it’s sweat- and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Plus, the subtle vanilla scent and dewy finish makes it a downright delight to wear.
“I’m a runner and I needed to find a sunscreen that was great for acne-prone, dry and sensitive skin. I realized that mineral sunscreens might have been the way to go, but it was hard to find one that was waterproof, clean, cruelty-free and left a small amount of white cast. I felt like I was asking for too much, but I found this sunscreen. It has not affected my acne; in fact, it got way better! It also did not dry me out, on the contrary it retained moisture. There is also a VERY little white cast, which was so awesome!” shares one reviewer.
8. Supergoop! Play 100% Mineral Sunscreen
We can tell you all about the technical details of this Supergoop! Sunscreen, but Edwards’ raving review might be enough to persuade you to try it out. “I’d always worn sunscreen and I have a few staples, but when I tried Supergoop! It was an instant attraction. Finding a mineral sunscreen that doesn’t leave a white mask is a struggle, real talk. But PLAY? It’s the Beyoncé of sunscreens—just the right amount of protection (SPF 50, hello!), it’s lightweight and it disappears like magic on my skin (no more embarrassing white cast!),” she shares.
9. Blue Lizard Mineral Sunscreen Spray
If you’re searching for a sunscreen spray, this one by Blue Lizard is loved by reviewers. Formulated with aloe, it’s easy to apply on the skin without feeling greasy or sticky in the sun. Shoppers say it’s great for the whole family and this review is a prime example: “We live at the beach and go through sunscreen like crazy. This is our first time trying Blue Lizard and WOW! My youngest hates other sunscreens because of the smells. Also, the ingredients in other sunscreens make her eyes water. Blue Lizard is the first that doesn't bother her at all! She even puts it on her face without help now! We will keep this in our beach bag from now on.”
10. CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen
Let us count the reasons why we love CeraVe’s sunscreen: It’s a non-greasy formula that gives great coverage and provides the moisture we didn’t realize we needed. It’s formulated with ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to restore your skin’s natural barrier, along with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to form a protective barrier against UVA and UVB rays. Plus, it has a stamp of approval from the National Eczema Association for being a safe option for sensitive skin. “I like the smooth texture of this sunscreen and it feels like I'm just applying moisturizer. It pairs well with a no-makeup makeup day because of the glow it gives you—with just a few dots of concealer and a swipe of lip oil, I'm good to go for the day,” shares Dubyak.
11. Mustela Baby Mineral Sunscreen Spray
As a safety precaution, most doctors recommend that small kids and babies use mineral-based sunscreens. As one dermatologist previously told us, ingredients with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (or a combo of both) is safe for youngsters to use on their skin. A product that’s derm and parent-approved? This SPF spray by Mustela. The gentle formula is fast-absorbing, water-resistant and fragrance-free. Plus, it’s accepted by the National Eczema Association and the Skin Cancer Foundation. “This mineral sunscreen protected my whole family's skin. We have a pool in our backyard, so we go through a lot of sunscreen. This sprays on evenly and nobody gets burned while we have it on our skin,” says one reviewer.
12. ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica Daily Mineral Sunscreen
This lightweight sunscreen combines zinc oxide with a blend of antioxidants and peptides to tackle existing sun damage, while protecting against further UV damage. The texture is incredibly silky and thinner than most other formulas, which makes it easy to spread evenly over your skin. As Dr. Garshick shares, “It absorbs so well it’s hard to believe it contains zinc. It also contains DNA repairosomes and antioxidants to help protect against and repair DNA damage. It goes on easily and is easy to apply as it doesn’t leave a greasy finish and can be used by all skin types.”
13. Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield
We all know that it’s important to reapply sunscreen throughout the day, but it can be a hassle. Luckily, this powder sunscreen makes it easier. Rich with antioxidants and sun-fighting ingredients (aka zinc oxide and titanium dioxide), the portable brush can be swept over bare skin or over makeup. “Every start of summer, I make sure to have a tube of this sunscreen in my purse. I burn easily, so I always have this handy when I am caught outdoors unexpectedly or forgot to apply more sunscreen. [It] works great for sun protection and is easy to apply—with or without a mirror. The mattify effect is a bonus,” shares one customer.
14. Hero Cosmetics Superlight Sunscreen
The masterminds behind the Mighty Patch launched a sunscreen that protects and repairs the skin. Rich in antioxidants and extremolytes, the formula helps prevent sunburn, reduces redness and staves off early signs of aging. “I tried this last year for my non-greasy sunscreen roundup and it still delivers. The subtle green tint actually does help mitigate redness. I always have to blink twice when I put it on because my skin looks so different! It’s lightweight and great for sensitive skin (I've never had a breakout using it),” says Marissa Wu, associate SEO editor at PureWow.
15. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Stick
Lotions, sprays and powders are great, but have you ever considered a sunscreen stick—especially for reapplication? This Neutrogena pick helps protect your skin without clogging your pores. The non-greasy formula has zinc oxide and vitamin E to prevent sunburns and reduce the appearance of dark spots and fine lines. As one shopper shares, “I was super skeptical about putting this on my face when I first bought it, but it was my only option in the store. I have extremely sensitive skin that breaks out easily. After I applied it, I noticed that it minimized the appearance of my pores as well. [It] doesn't break me out and is easy to remove at the end of the day. I LOVE IT!”
16. Supergoop! (Re)setting 100% Mineral Powder
This setting powder makes it easier to reapply SPF without ruining your makeup. Thanks to its retractable brush, it dispenses sheer mineral sunscreen onto your skin in just a few passes. Formulated with silica, ceramides and olive glycerides, it also helps seal in moisture and reduces shine. “If I’m in a full face of makeup and my T-zone looks a bit oily, I like to apply this bad boy for a smooth finish. It’s easy to use, blurs the appearance of enlarged pores and it’s very travel-friendly,” says Chelsea Candelario, associate editor at PureWow.
17. COOLA Mineral Sun Silk Crème Sunscreen
If you haven’t been able to get on board with mineral sunscreen in the past, this one by Coola might help you change your mind. It’s so lightweight and rubs in so easily that it feels like a regular moisturizer. It’s made with more than 70 percent organic ingredients and features the brand’s plant-derived Full Spectrum 360 complex, which helps mitigate the effects of blue light, infrared light and pollution. “I love COOLA sunscreens and their Sun Silk Cremè is great because it’s super lightweight, and it doesn’t break me out or leave a white cast,” says Dana Dickey, senior editor at PureWow.
18. Dr. Jart+ Every Sun Day Mineral Sunscreen
This Dr. Jart+ pick is praised for visibly reducing redness, preventing future blemishes and protecting against UVA and UVB rays. The non-greasy formula rubs on smoothly and leaves a matte finish. “One of my top favorite mineral sunscreens I’ve tried. I love that it has both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, so that combo works best for my easily irritated skin. [It] has a very slight orange scent that I find quite pleasant. It leaves a very minimal white cast at first, but I find that if I pat it all over after applying and wait a minute, it melts beautifully into my skin,” shares one shopper.
How to Choose Between Physical vs. Chemical Sunscreen, According to a Derm
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PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.
