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Byrdie / Joy Kim
TL;DR
When it comes to mineral sunscreens, our best overall pick is Dr. Dennis Gross All-Physical Lightweight Wrinkle Defense SPF 30. The antioxidant-rich formula goes on completely sheer and doesn't pill under makeup while helping your skin repair itself. For a more affordable option, consider Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Lotion. This drugstore favorite provides non-greasy, broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection, and it’s a great pick for those with sensitive skin.
When it comes to sunscreen, the absolute most important thing is that you’re using one. It’s imperative that you find a sunscreen you like, you’re actually going to use, and that’s proven effective. But how do you do that? Well, for starters, decide between a mineral or a chemical sunscreen.
While both types can help protect your skin from aging damage and skin cancer, they have plenty of differences. Mineral sunscreens are physical blockers that deflect the rays away from the skin. The main ingredients in mineral sunscreens (aka titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) are deemed generally safe and effective by the FDA because they create a physical barrier between your skin and UV rays. And, as if you needed another reason to consider mineral-based formulas, they also tend to be much less irritating, especially if you have sensitive skin. The chemical options, which absorb UV rays (to prevent your skin from doing so), have come under some scrutiny due to recent findings concerning their ability to penetrate the bloodstream. Plus, this iteration is believed to be slightly less effective than mineral options.
To help break down which mineral formulas are the cremé de la creme (in other words, worth your money and time), we tested 52 top-rated sunscreens—spanning a range of budgets, skin types, and concerns—in our Manhattan-based testing facility and for a few weeks at home. We then paired those insights with the recommendations of board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick, MD, to bring you a well-rounded list of SPF options.
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Undetectable formula doesn't pill under makeup
Contains protective antioxidants
Oil-free formula contains ferulic acid for clear skin
If you have dry skin, you may want to layer a moisturizer underneath
Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 30 | Size: 1.7 oz | Free of: Chemical sunscreens, parabens, phthalates | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you’re going to reach for one sunscreen day in and day out, make it this one. It contains zinc oxide—a go-to ingredient for creating a barrier between harmful UV rays and your skin. Zinc oxide naturally has a white, pasty tint, but this goes on more sheer, both in color and feeling, than any mineral formula we’ve ever used. (And we’ve used a lot of them.) It’s oil-free—a win for those with oily, acne-prone skin—and contains hydrating sea buckthorn, anti-inflammatory ferulic acid, and antioxidant lingonberry to help your skin repair itself. Our testing found that it blends beautifully into the skin and doesn't pill when makeup is layered on top of it. We also love that the applicator makes it easy to dole out the ideal amount of product for all-day coverage.
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Free of preservatives
Non-pore-clogging formula
Non-greasy finish
Texture is somewhat thick
Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 50 | Size: 2 oz | Free of: Oils, fragrance, parabens, phthalates, dyes, octinoxate, oxybenzone | Water-Resistant: Up to 80 minutes | Cruelty-Free: No
This trusty drugstore find offers broad-spectrum SPF 50 (meaning it protects against UVA and UVB rays, both of which can contribute to skin cancer) thanks to naturally sourced 100% zinc oxide. Even better, it uses a special dry-touch technology that ensures you won’t be left feeling greasy after application. The fact that it’s non-comedogenic—meaning it won’t clog your pores—only adds to the appeal.
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Clary sage ferment helps fade dark spots
Boosts radiance
Moisturizes skin
Product can get stuck in the dropper easily
Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 50 | Size: 1.7 oz | Free of: Parabens, fragrance, formaldehyde, phthalates, oxybenzone, octinoxate | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
When it comes to sunscreen that doubles as skincare, this luxe serum from Dr. Brandt Skincare has our stamp of approval. The formula offers broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection against UVA and UVB rays via non-nano zinc oxide (meaning the sunscreen won’t penetrate your skin) and offers several skincare benefits thanks to plankton extract, which addresses hyperpigmentation and clary sage ferment, which evens out the complexion. It leaves behind an invisible finish, so there’s no need to worry about a pesky white cast, and it also makes an excellent base for makeup.
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Lightweight, milky texture
Dropper applicator allows you to control how much product you use
No white cast or pilling
Small amount in bottle
Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 50 | Size: 1 oz | Free of: Fragrance, essential oils, PEGs, silicone, octinoxate, oxybenzone | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Those with sensitive skin know that finding an SPF that doesn't irritate can be tricky—but this one is fantastic. It's formulated with collagen, amino acids, and Ayurvedic superfruits to support skin reparation and provide antioxidant protection. The milky formula comes in a dropper component, which makes it easy to dispense, and the liquid-like consistency is quick to blend out, super fast-absorbing, and doesn't pill. It feels weightless on the skin and leaves the face feeling balanced—neither dried out nor greasy.
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Lightweight texture
Shine-free finish
Slight green tint helps to counteract redness
Can be a bit drying
Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 30 | Size: 1.7 oz | Free of: Fragrance, silicone, sulfates, drying alcohols, octinoxate, oxybenzone | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Those with acne-prone skin often shy away from sunscreen, fearing it’ll be greasy and pore-clogging. While that may be the case for some sunscreens, this option from Hero Cosmetics is designed with acne-prone skin in mind. It's formulated with 100% non-nano zinc oxide (a mineral that’s excellent at blocking UV rays without seeping into the pores and causing a reaction), and it’s lightweight and comfortable on the skin. The formula also offers a subtle green tint that helps counteract redness and imparts a more even-toned look to the complexion. When we tried this pick ourselves, we noticed that it has a blendable consistency that stays put once absorbed (aka, it didn’t pill or streak as the day went on). It can be a bit drying, though, so if you have dry skin, make sure you layer on a moisturizer to avoid patchiness.
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Mattifying formula eliminates shine
Offers a blurred skin-like finish
Reduces the look of enlarged pores
Tint isn't for every skin tone
Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide | SPF: 40 | Size: 1.5 oz | Free of: Parabens, sulfates, gluten, fragrance, octinoxate, oxybenzone | Water-Resistant: Up to 40 minutes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
When you have oily skin, the last thing you want is a thick, greasy sunscreen to accentuate the appearance of your pores and make you look even shinier. That’s what makes this ultra-light SPF such a great pick. In addition to being a 100% mineral sunscreen with SPF 40 sun protection, this has a matte, shine-free finish that helps smooth the skin’s appearance and reduces shine.
We’ve worn it alone on bare skin or underneath makeup (it works beautifully as a smoothing, skin-protecting primer) and love the way it glides effortlessly over the surface of the skin. It’s worth mentioning that the formula has a peachy hue to offset any white cast, and while it can stretch to accommodate a range of skin tones, it might not look as natural on those with darker skin tones. We really hope the brand creates a few more iterations so that anyone and everyone can use it.
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Leaves behind a healthy glow
Green tea extract reduces redness
Vitamin E moisturizes and soothes
Only two tinted shade options
Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide | SPF: 30 | Size: 1.5 oz | Free of: Sulfates, parabens, phthalates, octinoxate, oxybenzone | Water-Resistant: Up to 80 minutes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This mineral sunscreen from Unsun Cosmetics provides SPF 30 protection along with a subtle tint and a healthy glow. It’s chock-full of skincare benefits, as it’s formulated with antioxidant-rich shea butter, plankton extract, green tea leaf extract, and vitamin E, each of which works in tandem to hydrate the skin and offer additional protection from UV rays, infrared radiation, and pollution.
All in all, it makes for a perfect base under makeup since it blends so smoothly into the skin, but it’s also a great choice for the days you want to go sans makeup (but still give your skin a little something). The only thing we wish we could change is the fact that the tint is only available in two options—Light/Medium and Medium/Dark. We felt like each tint could cover a wide range of skin tones, but we’d love to see more options so that everyone can find a more suitable match.
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Zero white cast
Radiant finish
Tube made of 100% PCR
Layers beautifully with makeup
Can be a bit drying over time
Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 30 | Size: 1.7, 5 oz | Free of: Fragrance, octinoxate, oxybenzone | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Glowy, protected skin is always in, and this priming SPF helps you achieve it. It's formulated with 100% non-nano zinc oxide to minerally block out UV rays, and the lightweight formula has a golden tint to ensure it doesn't create a white cast on the skin. It looks luminous and beautiful on bare skin, but it also doubles as a makeup primer and layers nicely underneath foundation.
Oftentimes, glowy products can be greasy on the skin, but this one isn't. In fact, when testing this product on dry skin, we found the formula slightly drying after using it for several days in a row, so we recommend applying it on top of moisturizer unless you have super oily skin.
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Provides pollution and blue light protection
Powder makes reapplication easy
Comes in a few shades
Not ideal for dry skin
Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide | SPF: 30 to 50 | Size: 0.21 oz | Free of: Oils, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, octinoxate, oxybenzone | Water-Resistant: Up to 80 minutes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This powder protector is not only perfect for travel (no gloopy spills here) but also makes reapplication easier than ever, which is important since Garshick recommends reapplying sunscreen every two hours. “This is a great option, as it can be easily applied over makeup and can be used on the go,” says Garshick. “It contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and incorporates Enviroscreen technology to provide protection not only against UVA and UVB rays, but also pollution, blue light, and infrared radiation,” which can wreak havoc on the skin and lead to premature aging in the form of wrinkles, dark spots, and more.
It comes in four different shades that blend into a wide range of skin tones, so it’s likely you’ll find a decent match. Just keep in mind that it’s a powder, so it can cling to dry patches. Be sure to layer on a good moisturizer before application if you have especially dry skin.
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Moisturizing formula
No white cast
Non-comedogenic
Leaves behind a slightly shiny residue
Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, tocopheryl acetate | SPF: 50 | Size: 3 oz | Free of: Oils, fragrance, parabens, oxybenzone | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Often recommended by dermatologists, this SPF 50 from EltaMD should be a go-to for anyone who needs sun protection while getting their sweat on. “It’s easy to apply and especially good for those who are active, as it won’t sting or drip when you sweat," says Garshick. With this advice in mind, we tried it ourselves and can honestly say that the clear zinc oxide protects skin even through the most grueling workouts or hikes, so you can be sure it will do the job even if you’re just out for a walk. Plus, it’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and provides broad-spectrum coverage against UVA and UVB rays.
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No white cast
Lightweight
Contains skin-repairing antioxidants
Some people find that it has an unpleasant scent
Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 50 | Size: 3.4 oz | Free of: Parabens, octinoxate, oxybenzone | Water-Resistant: Up to 40 minutes | Cruelty-Free: No
One of our perennial go-to’s, this formula uses straight-up zinc oxide for powerful protection. It also relies on DNA repairsomes, powerful enzymes from plankton that help reverse previous sun damage (ideal if you haven’t been so on top of your sunscreen game in the past). It’s also a favorite of Garshick, who loves its absorbency. “This ultralight zinc sunscreen absorbs so well it’s often hard to believe it contains zinc,” she says.
Give it a good shake before applying, then prepare to be amazed by how quickly and easily it disappears. After wearing it ourselves for multiple weeks, we loved how light and liquidy the texture was, making it easy to both apply and reapply throughout the day. We also appreciated that it sat perfectly under makeup without pilling or leaving the skin greasy. Some reviewers online shared that they weren’t fans of the scent, but we didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary as it pertained to a fragrance.
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70% certified organic ingredients
Water-resistant
Easy-to-use spray applicator
Not for the face
Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 30 | Size: 5 oz | Free of: Fragrance, parabens, phthalates, octinoxate, oxybenzone | Cruelty-Free: Yes
There are now mineral spray options available for more convenient application, including this one. Fast-absorbing and non-greasy, it has a 14.2% concentration of sun-blocking zinc oxide, along with a blend of certified organic plant-based antioxidants—we’re talking red raspberry seed oil, prickly pear extract, and buriti oil—which act as a nontoxic second line of defense against skin-damaging free radicals. We also appreciate that it’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and dries upon contact with the skin. This one isn’t formulated for the face, so we recommend keeping application limited to the body.
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Infused with niacinamide and lactic acid to help acne-prone skin
Goes on totally clear
Oil-free
Not very hydrating
Type: Mineral & chemical | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, octinoxate | SPF: 46 | Size: 1.7 oz | Free of: Fragrance | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you’re looking for a formula that contains both mineral and chemical SPF, consider this lightweight option. It’s a hybrid that blends zinc oxide and octinoxate, a chemical sunscreen ingredient, both of which are chemically proven to prevent UV damage. We love how the formula goes on totally clear—so there’s no white cast—and it dries almost immediately. We also like it as an option for acne-prone skin since it’s oil-free and contains anti-inflammatory niacinamide and gently exfoliating lactic acid. During testing, we appreciated the healthy glow it gave us (which, might we add, lasted all day long) and the fact that it didn’t cause any irritation, which can happen with some chemical sunscreens. It’s not the most hydrating, so we suggest layering on some moisturizer before application to ensure skin stays hydrated throughout the day.
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Hyaluronic acid and squalane provide intense hydration
Available in 30 shades
Acts as a serum, foundation, and SPF
Formula is runny
Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 40 | Size: 1 oz | Free of: Fragrance, parabens, phthalates, octinoxate, oxybenzone | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This formula is part serum, part foundation, and part SPF, allowing you to combine three steps into one (although we recommend applying a separate layer of SPF underneath for extra protection when possible). It contains plant-based squalane and two types of hyaluronic acid, which penetrate various levels of the skin to impart tons of hydration. We found the coverage to be gorgeous, sheer, and glowy, and we were impressed by the fact that it comes in 30 shades. (Pro tip: The color does change a little after you apply it, so we recommend letting it sit for 30 to 60 seconds before blending.) Plus, its broad-spectrum SPF 40 sun protection formula contains plenty of zinc oxide to keep the sun from hurting your skin.
Note: We experimented with this product both in our lab and at home, and in both scenarios, we noticed that the serum is on the runnier side. To avoid making a mess and wasting precious product, we recommend taking your time and being intentional about how much product you dispense with the dropper.
What to Look for in a Mineral Sunscreen
- At least SPF 30 protection: When it comes to the amount of SPF protection in sunscreen, Garshick stresses the importance of using a formula containing SPF 30 or higher. “When applied and reapplied correctly, SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays, while SPF 15 is thought to block just 93%,” she says. However, there’s also no need to shop for products with a super high SPF amount, either. According to a recent report by the Environmental Working Group, sunscreens offering SPF protection above 50 may not necessarily provide stronger protection against UV rays, so there’s no need to look for anything higher than that.
- Broad-spectrum protection: In addition to high enough SPF protection, Garshick says that broad-spectrum protection is also just as important. “This indicates coverage against both UVA and UVB rays,” she says. “While it’s thought that UVB rays are responsible for sunburns and UVA rays are responsible for skin aging, both types of rays can contribute to skin cancer.”
- Water-resistant formulas: If you are swimming and/or sweating a lot, you should use a water-resistant formula. “No matter what type of sunscreen you’re using, it’s important to understand the label and be aware of whether it’s water-resistant, and if so, for how long,” says Garshick. “This is important because you should reapply sunscreen if exposed to water after 40 or 80 minutes, based on what’s indicated on the label.”
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. As a skincare junkie, sunscreen is her absolute, number one, must-have product—specifically mineral sunscreen, which her sensitive and easily-irritated skin much prefers. She’s a personal fan of all of the products on this list and especially loves the Colorescience option, as it makes reapplication easier than ever.
Caitlyn Martyn is a commerce writer on staff at Byrdie, where she covers all things beauty and style. She is obsessed with sunscreen and hasn’t gone a day without her Supergoop! Mattescreen in over two years. She’s an acne-prone, sensitive skin girlie herself, so she knows a thing or two about finding the right mineral sunscreen that’ll suit your skin.
For this story, we spoke to an expert to help guide our recommendations:
- Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, is a leading board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in New York and New Jersey. She has extensive experience treating a wide variety of skin conditions, including acne, eczema, hyperhidrosis, moles, psoriasis, and more.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough mineral sunscreens from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com, and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
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