The Absolute Best Mineral Sunscreens, According to Thousands of 5-Star Reviews
Here's one thing you should know about me: I'm a stickler for using skincare that defends against environmental aggressors and helps heal and protect. As a Black girl growing up in the rainy but beautiful Pacific Northwest, I was always met with the popular and untrue myth that dark skin doesn't need sunscreen. I'm proud to say I knew just how magical my melanin could be from a young age and how it should be treated to keep it healthy. For me, that meant always wearing sunscreen, no matter how many days went by without the sun.
Admittedly, I wish I had known more about sunscreen and how to select one. For example, did you know there are two types of sunscreen? According to Piedmont Healthcare, the main difference between mineral and chemical sunscreens is the formula. Chemical sunscreens often contain popular sun-protecting ingredients such as avobenzone, oxybenzone, and octinoxate, while mineral sunscreens (also commonly referred to as physical) mainly feature titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.
What Are Mineral Sunscreens?
Chemical and mineral sunscreens work differently to protect against sun damage. Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays that hit our skin, converting those rays into heat that is released from the body. Mineral formulas, on the other hand, sit on the skin's surface and reflect the sun's damaging rays. Today, we're focusing on the many benefits of investing in a mineral sunscreen for the face, highlighting everything from formulas and ingredients to price points and popularity.
"There are numerous benefits to adding mineral sunscreen to your daily skincare routine," Love Sun Body CEO Terry Zickerman says. "Mineral filters are not absorbed into the plasma, and for consumers concerned with the hormonal effects of chemical UV filters, zinc oxide or zinc oxide and titanium dioxide formulas are best."
Zickerman founded Love Sun Body to create a safe, effective, and environmentally friendly line of mineral sunscreens. In 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration revealed a clinical study had found negative effects of six popular chemical sunscreen additives entering and remaining in the bloodstream. The good news? Mineral sunscreens are safe to use on the skin and trusted to provide broad-spectrum defense against UVA and UVB rays. Not only are they a must-have for anyone with acne-prone skin), but they're also immediately effective, with no wait time required after application.
"Because of their antibacterial properties, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide UV filters can also be calming to your skin," Zickerman explains. It also helps mineral sunscreens are less likely to clog your pores, have a longer shelf life, and can easily be combined with other skincare products for an effortless and natural-looking finish.
Ready to find the best mineral face sunscreen for you? Keep scrolling!
The Best Face Sunscreens
Love Sun Body's mineral sunscreens are made with 100% sustainable natural-origin materials and plant-based ingredients. They're vegan, gluten-free, hypoallergenic, noncomedogenic, cruelty-free, and certified COSMOS natural. It's also completely sheer, making this one of my favorite sunscreens to recommend for anyone with deep skin tones.
Customer review: "This sunscreen is moisturizing and doesn't leave a shine on my face, which is a huge plus! I agree with the rest of the reviewers here. This might be my holy grail sunscreen that I've been looking for this whole time!"
There's so much to love about this sunscreen from The Ordinary. And it wouldn't be fair for me to include it in this roundup without highlighting its antioxidant-packed formula that provides hydration support. Its truly a holy-grail product to add to your everyday skincare routine.
Customer review: "What an amazing product! After only one week, I'm noticing smoother, younger-looking skin. A small bit goes a long way and creates a nice light matte layer under my foundation."
Ole Henriksen's mineral sunscreen is enhanced with vitamin C and 16.3% zinc oxide to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays and improve its overall appearance. Its formula also has banana-powder-inspired pigments to reflect light away from the face and prevent future sun damage. In other words, I can't get enough of it.
Customer review: "Obsessed with this sunscreen. The light orange citrus scent is so nice and hasn't seemed to irritate my skin. The finish is slightly matte but doesn't dry my skin out due to its thicker, more nourishing texture."
This mineral sunscreen from Dr. Jart+ is one of Sephora's best-selling skincare products (and one of my favorites) for good reason. Effective for all skin types, its formula protects by forming a physical barrier that scatters UV rays. It's also not greasy, sticky, goopy, or tacky.
Customer review: "This was a game changer! The texture was smooth and moisturizing, but I was also able to apply foundation on top without issue. It completely blended in, and there was no white cast. Light, natural scent, which was nice."
Have you been looking for a sunscreen that also serves as a color corrector? Unsun's Mineral Tinted Face Sunscreen might be the one for you. Formulated to cover a range of skin tones without leaving behind white residue, the sunscreen minimizes the appearance of pores and moisturizes the skin while keeping it protected.
Customer review: "This sunscreen is a unicorn. Application is smooth, and it blends in perfectly. The tint is just enough to blur any imperfections and give my skin a more even, glowy look. This is the first mineral sunscreen I've tried that doesn't leave me looking like Mark Zuckerberg surfing. Awesome product, will 100% buy again!"
If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, you'll want to get your hands on this sunscreen. It's incredibly lightweight and silky with a formula packed with ingredients that will protect your skin from harmful UV rays while calming it for healthy and happy-looking skin.
Customer review: "First off, let me start by saying it makes your skin look amazing. It gives your skin this beautiful glow that looks like it comes from within. It has no scent, which is great and is very light but also moisturizing as well."
Has Kosas's DreamBeam Mineral Sunscreen appeared on your TikTok For You page yet? It not only protects your skin from the sun's harsh rays, but its formula also contains ingredients to visibly smooth, plump, and brighten the skin.
Customer review: "This one goes on beautifully and leaves a nice soft glow while protecting my skin. I like it best with my regular skincare underneath, but some may be able to wear it alone. This one checks all the boxes for me: high SPF+, feels and looks great with or without makeup."
I discovered this sunscreen a couple of months ago and have been using it nonstop ever since. It's non-greasy, doesn't clog your pores, and uses a super-light formula with zinc oxide to create a physical barrier against harsh UVA and UVB rays. It's also nonirritating, clinically tested, and safe for reefs.
Customer review: "Nice consistency, not greasy at all, doesn't break out my acne-prone skin, and calms redness. A beautiful way to protect and nourish my skin every day! Love it and will continue to purchase it when I need more."
This Inkey List SPF 30 sunscreen offers broad-spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays using a 100% mineral formula with zinc oxide. I also love how it leaves a smooth, natural-looking matte finish without clogged pores or irritation.
Customer review: "What I love most is its finish–no greasiness whatsoever yet not drying, does not leave any unpleasant tingling or warmth, does not stain... and no breakouts! Plus, it goes so well under my makeup."
Your search for the best lightweight, mattifying face sunscreen is over. This one from Paula's Choice does that and more with a superstar formula that includes zinc oxide 13%, bisabolol bark, and willow bark to blur pores, reduce redness, and calm visible signs of irritation.
Customer review: "I've tried just about every sunscreen on the market for oily skin, and I'm so happy that I tried this one. It's absolutely perfect. There's no pilling, no sticky feeling, and it evens out my skin tone so nicely. My holy grail sunscreen!"
MD Solar Science's Mineral Tinted Crème delivers a finish that's silky and smooth with just a hint of added color to brighten the skin. Its formula combines naturally derived zinc oxide, vitamin C, and natural antioxidants like green tea and pomegranate extract to fight sun damage.
Customer review: "I have sensitive and acne-prone skin, so I usually prefer to use mineral sunscreens. This didn't irritate my skin! I love the ingredients and the fact that it's fragrance-free."
Here's a lightweight, oil-free, high-performing sunscreen that blends flawlessly into all skin tones. In addition to non-nano zinc oxide, it has lingonberry and sea buckthorn to provide the skin with vitamin C and prevent sun damage.
Customer review: "My absolute favorite sunscreen! It doesn't dry out my skin and doesn't leave a white cast. It leaves my skin looking hydrated but not oily, and it wears down nicely throughout the day."
Did you know Éminence Organic Skin Care happens to be a favorite of Meghan Markle? I'll be giving my face the royal treatment all spring and summer with its mineral sunscreen. Not only does it protect the skin against the sun's rays, but it also improves the visible effects of blue light exposure.
Customer review: "After learning from my esthetician to mix it with a moisturizer, it goes on much easier and leaves zero white cast. Love the smell and the way it makes my skin feel!"
While I'm a big fan of Chantecaille's makeup, I was only just recently introduced to its amazing skincare products. Its sunscreen promotes a firm and toned appearance while protecting against UVA and UVB rays. How great is that?
Customer review: "Love this product. It goes on smooth and is wonderful underneath your makeup, like a primer. It is thin, not greasy, and really makes your skin look good. It is suggested as a primer, and it does work like a primer. I love it because it goes on really nice and doesn't leave a heavy feeling of sunscreen on your face."
I've been using this face sunscreen from Fenty Skin for over a year and haven't gone a day without it. I love how easily it applies to the skin, its longevity, and the gorgeous fragrance it has. For anyone with a darker skin tone who's struggled with white residue from sunscreens, this one is for us.
Customer review: "I have combination skin, and this is one of the best face sunscreens out there. It's lightweight and doesn't feel too sticky. It has a nice smell to it as well. Would definitely keep it as a skincare staple."
A Few More of My Favorite Sunscreens
Customer review: "This is my favorite body sunscreen of all time. It goes on completely sheer, so no white cast on tan and deep skin tones. It leaves my skin with a healthy glowing effect that feels and looks really great. I like the spray application for convenience."
Customer review: "Love this sunscreen for the body! It has great ingredients and sun protection. The universal shade has a little bit of a blurring effect on the skin, and it has a really pretty finish."
Customer review: "I have been using this product every day for years. It makes my skin look silky-smooth and glowy while protecting it from sun damage. It is my most essential beauty product, and it works wonderfully."
Customer review: "I have easily irritated skin, and this sunscreen is the only one I trust not to break me out or cause irritation. I've tried other physical/mineral sunscreens, but this one outshines them all. Gentle and easy to rub in. I love it."
Customer review: "I have tried many mineral sunscreens with disappointing results every time. This did not give the nasty white cast, horrible feel, or clogged pores that normally happen. I also appreciate that it is made with zinc oxide and no titanium dioxide—much better for your skin."
Customer review: "Blended in completely on my dark skin without white streaks. Minimal smell, so it didn't clash with perfume. My skin felt like I applied really good lotion. Didn't irritate my eye or nose when applied to my face."
Maya Thomas is Who What Wear's assistant beauty editor based in New York City. Her strong love for all things beauty and fashion stems from a strong childhood interest in the fine arts. During a gap year spent in Paris studying the history of French fashion, she shifted her focus to English literature and journalism as a student at Loyola Marymount University with the goal of one day pursuing a career in fashion. After graduating in May 2021, Maya began freelancing for Parade.com as a contributing commerce writer while also building a following on her lifestyle blog, Itsmayalala.com. When she's not writing, Maya spends her free time catching up on reading, perusing art galleries, and enjoying a night out at the ballet every now and then.
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