For unrivaled skin protection regardless of the season, mineral sunscreens truly take the lead. Much like a carefully curated skincare routine or a nourishing facial mask, these non-chemical shields deliver a steadfast defense against harmful UV rays, nurturing your skin while safeguarding it.
Skincare professionals have been advocating for mineral sunscreens for a while now. “Apply the sunscreen on your face and body, ensuring full coverage, and then reapply every two hours,” they advise. This way, you can be sure to stay adequately protected whether you’re taking a beach stroll or on a snow-covered mountain hike.
Mineral sunscreens come in various forms – sprays, creams, sticks – yet the objective remains the same: to apply evenly and reapply regularly. Rest assured, if you’ve layered on a bit too generously, the sheer and blendable nature of today’s mineral sunscreens can easily be worked into your skin, leaving no white cast behind.
The ideal mineral sunscreen not only deflects harmful sun rays but also integrates seamlessly with your skincare, providing a gentle, yet potent shield that keeps your skin radiant and youthful. Go for a tinted formula for a touch of color, or opt for a clear one for a sheer finish. Indeed, mineral sunscreens have become indispensable allies in our skin health arsenal. Unlike chemical sunscreens, mineral options provide immediate protection and are known for being reef-safe, allowing you to look after your skin and the environment simultaneously.
In our quest to highlight the best mineral sunscreens on the market, we’ve considered their SPF level, texture, blendability, and longevity. The resulting shortlist features an array of products that offer impressive protection and cosmetic elegance. So, stay tuned for the unveiling of these top performers.
- Suitable for daily use
- Hydrating
- Antioxidant
Drunk Elephant’s Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense SPF 30 is a lightweight sunscreen that delivers broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection.
It helps prevent free radicals and oxidative damage, and it contains potent antioxidants, including astaxanthin, grape juice, and sunflower shoot extract. This formula minimizes photoaging by protecting the skin from harmful UV rays and preventing redness, irritation, and dryness.
It’s also infused with raspberry seed oil and marula oil to help moisturize your skin.
This sunscreen is ideal for daily use because it doesn’t give off any white residue or greasiness—you can put it on before your makeup without having to worry about a weird finish.
- Contains mineral ingredients
- Help control shine
- Reef-safe
- Potential for white cast
Supergoop’s Mineral Mattescreen is the perfect way to protect your skin from the sun’s rays while still looking great.
It’s a mineral sunscreen that helps leave your skin looking smooth and poreless, with a natural finish that makes it easy to apply generously without any worries about shine. It has a broad spectrum SPF 40, so it protects your face from both UVA and UVB rays.
The formula also features wild butterfly ginger, which helps filter blue light to reduce the visible effects of free radicals, as well as bamboo extract, which provides powerful antioxidant properties to help reduce those same effects even further.
It should be used last in your skincare routine—once you’ve applied all of your other products.
- Lightweight
- Fast-absorbing
- SPF protection
Summer Fridays’ ShadeDrops SPF 30 is a lightweight, fast-absorbing sunscreen that delivers SPF and skincare benefits. It glides over the skin like a serum, leaving it soft and smooth.
The mineral sunscreen fluid contains squalane, which is used for creating softer and plumped-up skin. This formula is also enriched with vitamins, antioxidants, and soothing chamomile to help shield your face from UVA/UVB rays while delivering skincare benefits. It’s fast-absorbing and has a soft natural finish that looks like your skin but better!
Simply apply generously 15 minutes before sun exposure to help prevent sunburns while also protecting against future sun damage.
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Hydrating and nourishing
- Daily sun protection
Mineral sunscreen is not a new thing—but it’s a great thing, especially if you’re looking to protect your skin from sun damage and premature aging.
This mineral sunscreen from Nécessaire is infused with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and panthenol to help keep your skin hydrated and nourished all day long. It’s also formulated without any parabens or sulfates, so it won’t irritate even the most sensitive skin types.
The only downside? It does leave some cast on the skin—but it blends really well and is easy to work with! This will be a great daily sunscreen for those who don’t want to worry about sweating off their base in the sun or exposing themselves to harmful rays of UV light throughout the day.
“I’ve tried 100+ different mineral sunscreens, and this one has made it one of the only ones I continually come back to. Love especially for my whole body but can also use on my face too, which I appreciate,” wrote one reviewer.
- Water-resistant
- Smooth and fast application
- Leisure-enhancing formula
Vacation’s Mineral Lotion is the ultimate way to travel.
It has a leisure-enhancing formula that is remarkably clear on the skin, and it’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, so you can enjoy your day without worrying about getting burned.
Not only that, but it rubs on fast with a premium, smooth feel and provides broad spectrum SPF 30 protection to keep you safe from harmful rays. Plus, the packaging is made with recycled materials!
According to reviews, “It feels creamy and applies like a primer. My skin is sensitive and irritable, but this sunscreen makes it feel and look so good!”
- Lightweight
- Non-greasy
- Easy blending
It’s not often that you find a sunscreen that’s lightweight, non-greasy, and blends easily. And it’s even rarer to find one that layers well under makeup and protects against UVA/UVB, photoaging, and blue light.
But when you do? You want to shout from the rooftops about it! And that’s what we’re here to do today: shout from the rooftops (or at least from our computer screens) about this amazing sunscreen from Dr. Dennis Gross.
The product description says it all: “a sheer application powered by transparent zinc oxide and antioxidant-rich barberry.” That means this mineral sunscreen is protecting your skin from UVA/UVB rays that can cause aging, as well as blue light—which can damage your skin in other ways.
Oh yeah, and did we mention it’s lightweight and non-greasy? Because those are major selling points.
- Lightweight and Non-greasy
- Blendable and tinted formula
- Natural ingredients
If you’ve been searching for a mineral sunscreen that doesn’t leave your skin feeling greasy and uncomfortable, look no further than Unsun.
This lightweight lotion is formulated with a blend of shea butter, vitamin E, and coconut oil, as well as five different fruit extracts to give you powerful sun protection without any potentially harmful chemicals.
The tinted formula blends into skin without leaving a trace, so it’s perfect for all types of skin tones and complexion. Whether you’re looking for a product that’s lightweight enough to wear under makeup or something that will give you enough coverage to wear on its own, Unsun is the answer!
It also fits into any beauty regimen and is suitable for multiple skin complexions ranging from olive to the darkest chocolate.
- 3-in-1
- Used as a primer
- Even out skin tone
- Oily skin types
When it comes to sunscreen, you want something that’s effective, doesn’t leave a white cast, and feels good on your skin. Live Tinted’s Hueguard, formulated with 18% zinc oxide, does all of that and more.
It’s a 3-in-1 product: it provides SPF 30 protection from the sun, and can be used as a primer for makeup or moisturizer for dry skin. It also has an incredibly lightweight formula that blends seamlessly into the skin and leaves you with a natural glow.
The primer comes in two sizes: 1.7 oz and 5 oz. It’s not greasy at all—it feels like nothing once you apply it!
“Bought the small one to try out and then bought the big container. It blends well, layers well, and does not irritate my sensitive acne-prone skin,” explained one tester.
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Water-resistant
- Tinted and matte finish
La Roche-Posay’s Mineral Tinted Sunscreen Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50 is a lightweight, tinted sunscreen with a matte finish. It’s a great option for sensitive skin and can be applied to wet or dry skin.
It contains titanium dioxide, which is a mineral that helps to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. The sunscreen also contains antioxidants that help to neutralize free radicals and prevent premature aging.
The water-resistant formula is great for aquatic activities like swimming and surfing—just make sure to reapply every 40 minutes after being in the water!
- Lightweight and moisturizing
- Antioxidant protection
- Neutralizes white cast
We are in love with this mineral sunscreen from Versed.
The formula is lightweight, moisturizing, and perfect for all skin types. It also has antioxidants to fight off environmental and blue light damage—making it a great way to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
Its light peachy hue helps neutralize the white cast that physical sunscreens can leave behind on pale skin. The formula blends into a natural finish that looks like you’re wearing nothing at all—but you’re actually protecting yourself from premature aging!
This three-way protection against premature aging, environmental damage, and blue light is exactly what we look for in a sunscreen product.
What to Look for in Mineral Sunscreen
Type of Sunscreen
In the realm of sun protection, mineral sunscreens are a fantastic choice for those looking for physical blockers to shield the skin from harmful UV rays. Unlike their chemical counterparts, mineral sunscreens sit on the skin’s surface and deflect the sun’s rays. They’re known for being gentler, making them a preferred option for sensitive skin types.
Broad Spectrum Protection
A critical factor in selecting a mineral sunscreen is ensuring it offers broad-spectrum protection. This means it shields against both UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays. Look for labels that clearly state ‘broad-spectrum’ to ensure you’re fully protected against the sun’s harmful effects.
SPF Value
While SPF 15 or 30 might be sufficient for short periods of exposure, dermatologists generally recommend using a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 for extended time outdoors. A higher SPF, such as SPF 50, offers more protection, especially for fair-skinned individuals or those with a history of skin cancer.
Formulation Consistency
The consistency and feel of a mineral sunscreen can greatly affect your enjoyment of using the product. While some mineral sunscreens are notorious for leaving a white cast, newer formulations have improved significantly, offering sheer and blendable options. Test out different formulas to find one that sits well on your skin and under makeup if you wear it.
Additional Skincare Benefits
Finally, consider mineral sunscreens that boast additional skincare benefits. Many brands are infusing their formulas with antioxidants, hydrating ingredients, and even skin-brightening agents. These added bonuses can contribute to the health and appearance of your skin while providing essential sun protection.
FAQ
What is mineral sunscreen?
Mineral sunscreen, also known as physical sunscreen, is a type of sun protection that uses mineral ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to create a physical barrier on the skin that reflects and scatters the sun’s rays. These sunscreens are often favored by individuals with sensitive skin or those who prefer a more natural approach to sun protection because they are less likely to cause skin irritation than chemical sunscreens, which absorb the sun’s rays.
Does mineral sunscreen expire?
Like most skincare products, mineral sunscreen does have an expiration date. This is usually printed on the packaging. Using expired sunscreen can result in decreased effectiveness, potentially leading to inadequate sun protection. It’s generally recommended to replace your sunscreen every year if it doesn’t have an expiration date.
How do you remove mineral sunscreen?
To remove mineral sunscreen, you’ll need a gentle but effective cleanser. Since mineral sunscreen sits on top of the skin, it can be a bit more challenging to remove than chemical sunscreen. Start by using a cleansing oil, balm, or micellar water to break down the sunscreen. Massage it into your skin, then rinse off with warm water. Follow up with a second cleanse using your regular facial cleanser to ensure all the sunscreen is removed.
Is mineral sunscreen better than other types of sunscreen?
Whether mineral sunscreen is “better” than chemical sunscreen can depend on various factors, including personal preference, skin type, and lifestyle. Mineral sunscreens are effective immediately upon application, are less likely to irritate sensitive skin, and don’t harm coral reefs, but they can leave a white cast on the skin and can be thicker and harder to rub in. Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, offer more seamless application and don’t leave a white cast, but they may irritate sensitive skin and take about 20 minutes to become effective after application. Both types provide protection against UV rays, so the best sunscreen for you is the one you’re most comfortable with and, most importantly, the one you’ll use consistently.
