16 Mineral Sunscreens That Aren’t a Pain to Rub In
We swear they're actually easy to use.
Renee Cherry
Vacation / COTZ
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While everyone can benefit from daily sunscreen application, SPF products certainly aren’t one-size-fits-all. Many factors can sway your choice of sunscreen, from price to SPF rating to finish.
A logical starting point is to filter your choices based on two broad categories of sunscreens: chemical sunscreens or mineral sunscreens (or hybrid sunscreens, a cross between the two). These refer to the specific UV-blocking ingredients found within a product. Mineral sunscreens contain zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or both, while chemical sunscreens contain ingredients like avobenzone and homosalate.
Featured expert
David Li, MD is a dermatologist in Boston
While chemical sunscreen filters are generally less likely to leave behind a white cast, you may still decide that you prefer mineral sunscreens for various reasons. For one thing, mineral sunscreen filters tend to be well-tolerated by sensitive skin, according to board-certified Boston dermatologist David Li, MD at Boston Derm Advocate.
Plus, non-nano mineral sunscreen filters are reportedly less detrimental to the environment than some chemical filters, though it’s unclear whether zinc oxide or titanium dioxide is superior in this regard. “This is very much up for debate, as various sources have claimed either [zinc oxide or titanium dioxide] to have more of a footprint on the environment depending on the study you look at,” says Dr. Li.
What’s more, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has raised questions around the safety of chemical filters. In 2019, the agency proposed that zinc oxide or titanium dioxide should be considered safe and effective for sunscreen use, stating that it’d need more safety data on chemical filters to give them the same distinction.
If you’ve determined for one reason or another that you should go with a mineral sunscreen, you’ll still have a ton of options to wade through. To help you out, we’ve tested out formulas and compared ingredient lists to select the 16 best options.
Vacation’s retro aesthetic may be what first grabs your attention, but its products would stand out without the packaging. If you’d prefer a mineral formula, the brand’s Shake Shake sunscreen is the way to go. The bottle has a miniature ball inside that helps mix the formula each time you shake the bottle, resulting in a smooth fluid rather than a chunky cream.
Prequel’s mineral sunscreen has seals from the National Eczema Association, National Rosacea Society, and National Psoriasis Foundation, so you can rest assured it was created with sensitive skin in mind. It’s surprisingly lightweight for a mineral sunscreen, has a semi-transparent peach hue, and sinks in fast without leaving a greasy finish.
This zinc oxide sunscreen was designed for a smooth application under makeup, so you won’t have to worry about pilling. It comes in two versions: DreamBeam, which has a peachy-pink hue, and DreamBeam Sunlit, which creates a soft golden glow.
While zinc oxide may offer broader UV protection, titanium dioxide is generally more lightweight, which can be a plus if you have a dark skin tone but want to avoid a white cast, according to Dr. Li. If you’d like to try a mineral sunscreen containing both, this is the way to go.
This sunscreen provides broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection, and it’s especially lightweight, so you can be heavy-handed during application and it’ll easily sink in. The sunscreen has a matte finish and contains antioxidants for further reinforcement against damage from free radicals.
Le Prunier Plumscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 31 features zinc oxide alongside the brand’s signature antioxidant-rich plum oil. The product is PETA-certified vegan and cruelty-free and has the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.
It’s helpful to keep your skin type in mind when choosing a sunscreen, and moisturizers with SPF are a great option for those with dry skin, says Dr. Li. Designed to fill the role of serum, moisturizer and sunscreen, Saie Sunvisor has a sheer, glowy finish. Along with zinc oxide, it contains soothing aloe, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and collagen-boosting vitamin C.
Alastin SilkSHIELD All Mineral Sunscreen is easy to blend and doesn’t feel heavy on your skin. In addition to zinc oxide, it contains ectoin, an ingredient that may help counteract the effects of UVA-induced damage. A fragrance-free and oil-free option, the sunscreen was formulated with sensitive and post-treatment skin in mind.
Even if you apply a generous amount of Cotz Face Moisture SPF 35 Lightly Tinted, it has a silky, not greasy, feel. As a lightly tinted option, it strikes a balance between formulas that leave a white cast and those that impart too heavy of a tint. The zinc oxide sunscreen is meant for all skin types, including rosacea-prone skin.
While budget-friendly sunscreen doesn’t always measure up, you can find a diamond in the rough if you know where to look. Take Versed Guards Up Daily Mineral Sunscreen, which promises to protect against damage from the sun, blue light and pollution. It has a peachy hue for easy blendability.
With this foundation-sunscreen hybrid, you can cut a step out of your routine, provided you apply enough of the product for sun protection. It offers light to medium coverage and comes in 17 different shades. The sunscreen is made for sensitive skin, with soothing ingredients like aloe vera and without fragrance.
Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Mineral Milk Sunscreen may look and feel like a serum, but it provides SPF 30-level protection from zinc oxide. It’s vegan, fragrance-free, and stacked with moisturizing ingredients like squalane.
If you’re prone to breakouts, you’ll appreciate that this sunscreen is designed to suit all skin types, including oily skin. It’s a tinted sunscreen that incorporates iron oxides, which may help protect against blue light alongside the formula’s zinc oxide. “Broad spectrum covers the UV range, but visible light can still cause hyperpigmentation, and therefore [dermatologists] recommend sunscreens that are tinted or contain iron oxide,” for those who are prone to hyperpigmentation, says Dr. Li.
This sunscreen pairs zinc oxide with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and moisturizing raspberry seed oil. It’s designed to suit anyone who wears sunscreen under makeup and wants to avoid pilling. Like the rest of Kopari’s products, it’s cruelty-free and vegan.
Believe it or not, SPF and pleasant scents aren’t mutually exclusive. This body sunscreen from Sol de Janeiro features the brand’s Cheirosa 87 fragrance, with solar tuberose and coconut milk notes. It’s made with skin-care gems like niacinamide, which can counteract an uneven skin tone while moisturizing.
When you want to reapply your sunscreen on the go, a sunscreen stick can make life easier. This option from Supergoop! contains silica powders to absorb excess oil—all the more reason to toss it in your beach bag on a hot summer day.
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