These 14 Mineral Sunscreens Out-Perform the Rest, Per Testers and Derms

Our Top Picks

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 thisgoes 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’soil-free—a win for those with oily, acne-prone skin—and containshydrating sea buckthorn, anti-inflammatory ferulic acid, and antioxidant lingonberry4 to help your skin repair itself.

Our testing found that it blends beautifully into the skin and doesnt 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.

Who It’s For 

This is a nice choice for those withoily, acne-prone skin, as the formula doesn’t weigh down the skin or contain pore-clogging oils. It’s also worth looking into if you haveanti-aging concerns, like fine lines and wrinkles. 

Price at time of publish: $42

Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 30 | Size: 1.7 oz | Free of: Chemical sunscreens, parabens, phthalates |Cruelty-Free: Yes

This trusty drugstore find offersbroad-spectrum SPF 50(meaning it protects against UVA and UVB rays, both of which can contribute to skin cancer) thanks to naturally sourced 100 percent zinc oxide. Even better, it uses aspecial dry-touch technologythat ensures you won’t be left feeling greasy after application. The fact that it’snon-comedogenic—meaning it won’t clog your pores—only adds to the appeal. 

Who It’s For

Is your skin on the sensitive side? Fear not. “It’s especially great for those with sensitive skin, as it’s free of fragrance, parabens, phthalates, and dyes (additives that can irritate skin) and has been awarded theNational Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance,” says Garshick.

Price at time of publish: $11

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

When it comes to sunscreen that doubles as skincare, thisluxe serumfrom Dr. Brandt Skincare has our stamp of approval. The formula offersbroad-spectrum SPF 50 protection against UVA and UVB raysvia non-nano zinc oxide (meaning the sunscreen won’t penetrate your skin)2and offers several skincare benefits thanks to plankton extract, whichaddresses hyperpigmentation and clary sage ferment, which evens out the complexion.56 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.

Who It’s For 

A great choice for anyone short on time orinterested in multi-use products, this two-in-one formula addresses skin concerns like dark spots and protects the skin from the sun. We also recommend it forthose who wear makeup every day, as it lays well under makeup.

Price at time of publish: $65

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

Those with sensitive skin know that finding an SPF that doesnt irritate can be tricky—but this one is fantastic. Its formulated withcollagen, amino acids, and Ayurvedic superfruits7to 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 doesnt pill. It feels weightless on the skinand leaves the face feeling balanced—neither dried out nor greasy.

Who It’s For

Since it’sfragrance-freeand has been clinically tested and approved by dermatologists for sensitive skin, we highly recommend this one for anyone with easily irritated skin.

Price at time of publish: $56

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 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 actuallydesigned with acne-prone skin in mind. Its formulated with100 percent non-nano zinc oxide(a mineral that’s excellent at blocking UV rays without seeping into the pores and causing a reaction), and it’slightweight and comfortableon the skin. The formula also offers asubtle green tint that helps counteract redness and imparts a more even-toned lookto the complexion.

When we tried this pick ourselves, we noticed that it has a blendable consistencythat 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.

Who It’s For 

As you might surmise, this is afantastic option for those with acne-prone skin. It boasts a slight green tint that helpsoffset the look of redness from breakouts and scars. 

Price at time of publish: $14

Type: Mineral |Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 30 | Size: 1.7 oz. | Free of: Fragrance, silicone, sulfates, drying alcohols, octinoxate, oxybenzone |Cruelty-Free:

Yes

buuk.top / Jhett Thompson

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 percent mineral sunscreen with SPF 40 sun protection, it has ablurring matte 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 itglides 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.

Who It’s For 

We highly recommend this SPF to anyone with oily skin or enlarged pores, as the formula glides over the skin, adding asoft-focus blurring, smoothing, and mattifying effect. And since the formula has a slightly peachy hue to it, Garshick recommends it foranyone who wants to temporarily address an uneven skin tone.

Price at time of publish: $38

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

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,5green tea leaf extract, and vitamin E, each of which works in tandem tohydrate the skin and offer additional protection from UV rays, infrared radiation, and pollution.8

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.

Who It’s For 

A good choice for anyone who wears makeup daily or likes to have a little something on their face, this SPF color-corrects skinwith two tinted shades and leaves behind a healthy-looking glow.

Price at time of publish: $29

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

Glowy, protected skin is always in, and thispriming SPF helps you achieve it. Its formulated with 100 percent non-nano zinc oxide to minerally block out UV rays, and the lightweight formula has agolden tint to ensure it doesnt create a white caston the skin. It looks luminous and beautiful on bare skin, but it also doubles as a makeup primerand layers nicely underneath foundation.

Oftentimes, glowy products can be greasy on the skin, but this one isnt. 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.

Who It’s For 

Turn to this multi-use formula if you’re looking for a product that can prime and protect your skinall in one shot. You’ll also really like this one if you want something to add a subtle glow to your skin. 

Price at time of publish: $32

Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 30 | Size: 1.7, 5 oz. | Free of: Fragrance, octinoxate, oxybenzone | 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 beeasily applied over makeup and can be used on the go,” says Garshick. “It containszinc oxide and titanium dioxide and incorporates Enviroscreen technology toprovide 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.9 

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.

Who It’s For 

A welcome addition to any beach bag or on-the-go makeup kit, this brush-on SPF is great for sunscreen touch-ups on both bare skin and on top of a full face of makeup.

Price at time of publish: $69

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

Often recommended by dermatologists, this SPF 50 from EltaMD should be ago-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 itwon’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’swater-resistant for up to 80 minutesand provides broad-spectrum coverage against UVA and UVB rays.

Who It’s For 

A stellar option for people who want to beprotected from the sun while partaking in outdoor activities, the EltaMD clear sunscreen stays in place and doesn’t burn, sting, or irritate your skin when you’re sweating a ton. It’s also something to consider if you’re looking fora clear formula that won’t leave a white cast, says Garshick.

Price at time of publish: $30

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

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).10It’s also a favorite of Garshick, who loves its absorbency. “This ultralight zinc sunscreenabsorbs 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.

Who It’s For

Look to this formula if you’re not a fan of thick, goopy sunscreens and want something lightweight and breathable or are trying to reverse previous sun damage.  

Price at time of publish: $70

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

There are now mineral spray optionsavailable for more convenient application, including this one.Fast-absorbing and non-greasy, it has a 14.2 percent concentration of sun-blocking zinc oxide, along with a blend ofcertified organic plant-based antioxidants—we’re talking red raspberry seed oil, prickly pear extract, and buriti oil—which act as a non-toxic second line of defense against skin-damaging free radicals.11 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.

Who It’s For 

If you’re looking for a spray mineral sunscreen to protect your body from the sun’s rays, this is our top recommendation. 

Price at time of publish: $28

Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 30 | Size: 5 oz | Free of: Fragrance, parabens, phthalates, octinoxate, oxybenzone | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re looking for a formula thatcontains both mineral and chemical SPF, consider this 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 formulagoes 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 andcontains anti-inflammatory niacinamide and gently exfoliating lactic acid.12

During testing, we appreciated the healthy glowit 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.

Who It’s For 

This is agood option for you if you’re not totally sure about whether you want a mineral or chemical formula—it’s a nice blend of the two. Furthermore, it goes on clear, so it’s worth tryingif you don’t want to deal with a white cast. 

Price at time of publish: $41

Type: Mineral & chemical |Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, octinoxate | SPF: 46 | Size: 1.7 oz | Free of: Fragrance | 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 containsplant-based squalane and two types of hyaluronic acid, which penetrate various levels of the skin to impart tons of hydration.13 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, itsbroad-spectrum SPF 40 sun protectionformula 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.

Who It’s For 

If you’d like to cut down on products used each morning, this might be the product for you. It combines three steps—a serum, an SPF, and a foundation–at once. 

Price at time of publish: $48

Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 40 | Size: 1 oz. | Free of: Fragrance, parabens, phthalates, octinoxate, oxybenzone | Cruelty-Free:

Yes

We Tested 51 Sunscreens—These 12 Outperformed the Rest

Article Sources

buuk.top takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Shedding More Light on Sunscreen Absorption.

Vinardell M, Llanas H, Marics L, Mitjans M. In vitro comparative skin irritation induced by nano and non-nano zinc oxide. Nanomaterials. 2017;7(3):56. doi: 10.3390/nano7030056

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Addor FAS. Antioxidants in dermatology. An Bras Dermatol. 2017;92(3):356-362. doi: 10.1590/abd1806-4841.20175697

Araviiskaia E, Berardesca E, Bieber T, Gontijo G, Sanchez Viera M, Marrot L, Chuberre B, Dreno B. The impact of airborne pollution on skin. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019 Aug;33(8):1496-1505. doi: 10.1111/jdv.15583. Epub 2019 Apr 26. PMID: 30897234; PMCID: PMC6766865.

Yarosh DB, Rosenthal A, Moy R. Six critical questions for DNA repair enzymes in skincare products: a review in dialog. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019;12:617-624. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S220741

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EWG. Only 25 percent of sunscreens offer adequate protection, no worrisome ingredients.