16 Mineral Sunscreens That Aren’t a Pain to Rub In (2024)

Best Overall:Vacation Shake Shake SPF 50($29)

Vacation’s retro aesthetic maybe what first grabsyour 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 ballinsidethat helps mix the formula each time you shake the bottle, resulting in a smooth fluid rather than a chunky cream.

BUY ON VACATION – $29

BUY ON ULTA – $29

Best for Sensitive Skin:Prequel Sun Barrier Mineral Sunscreen($22)

Prequel’s mineral sunscreen has seals from the National Eczema Association, National Rosacea Society, and National Psoriasis Foundation, so you can rest assured itwas createdwith 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.

BUY ON AMAZON – $22

Best SPF for a Sunkissed Glow:Kosas DreamBeam Silicone-Free Mineral Sunscreen($40)

This zinc oxide sunscreenwas designedfor 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.

BUY ON KOSAS – $40

BUY ON NORDSTROM – $40

Best SPF with Titanium Dioxide:CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen Lotion for Face($15)

While zinc oxidemay 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.

BUY ON AMAZON – $15

BUY ON DERMSTORE – $16

Best High-SPF Option:La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Mineral Sunscreen($33)

This sunscreen provides broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection, and it’sespeciallylightweight, soyou can be heavy-handed during application and it’lleasilysink in. The sunscreen has a matte finish and contains antioxidants for further reinforcement against damage from free radicals.

BUY ON AMAZON – $33

BUY ON DERMSTORE – $37

Best Luxury Sunscreen:Le Prunier Plumscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 31($78)

Le Prunier Plumscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 31 features zinc oxide alongside the brand’s signature antioxidant-richplum oil.The product is PETA-certified veganand cruelty-freeand has the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.

BUY ON LE PRUNIER – $78

Best SPF Moisturizer:Saie Sunvisor($38)

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.

BUY ON SAIE – $38

BUY ON AMAZON – $38

Best for Post-Treatment Skin:Alastin SilkSHIELD All Mineral Sunscreen($70)

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 thatmay help counteractthe effects of UVA-induced damage.A fragrance-free and oil-free option,the sunscreen was formulated with sensitive and post-treatment skin in mind.

BUY ON ALASTIN – $70

Best Lightly-Tinted Sunscreen:Cotz Face Moisture SPF 35 Lightly Tinted($30)

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, itstrikes a balance betweenformulas that leave a white cast and those that impart too heavy of a tint. The zinc oxide sunscreenis meantfor all skin types, including rosacea-prone skin.

BUY ON AMAZON – $30

Best Affordable Option:Versed Guards Up Daily Mineral Sunscreen($25)

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 foreasyblendability.

BUY ON AMAZON – $25

BUY ON REVOLVE – $25

Best Foundation:Tower28 SunnyDays Tinted SPF 30 ($32)

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 sunscreenis madefor sensitive skin, with soothing ingredients like aloe vera and without fragrance.

BUY ON TOWER 28 – $32

BUY ON REVOLVE – $32

Best for Wearing Under Makeup:Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Mineral Milk Sunscreen($36)

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.

BUY ON SEPHORA – $36

BUY ON SUMMER FRIDAYS – $36

Best for Oily Skin:Naked Sundays SPF50+ Collagen Glow 100% Mineral Sunscreen($34)

If you’re prone to breakouts, you’ll appreciate that this sunscreenis designedto suit all skin types, including oily skin. It’s a tinted sunscreenthat incorporatesiron oxides, which may helpprotect against blue lightalongside 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 areprone to hyperpigmentation, says Dr. Li.

BUY ON NAKED SUNDAYS – $34

BUY ON AMAZON – $24

Best for Dry Skin:Kopari Antioxidant Face Shield Daily 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30($38)

This sunscreen pairs zinc oxide with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and moisturizing raspberry seed oil.It’s designedto 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.

BUY ON KOPARI – $38

BUY ON AMAZON – $27

Best for Body:Sol de Janeiro Rio Radiance SPF 50 Mineral Body Lotion Sunscreen with Niacinamide($40)

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 madewith skin-care gems like niacinamide, which can counteract an uneven skin tone while moisturizing.

BUY ON SOL DE JANEIRO – $40

BUY ON AMAZON – $40

Best for Reapplication:Supergoop! Mineral Sheer Stick SPF 30($30)

When you want to reapply your sunscreen on the go, a sunscreen stick can make life easier. This option from Supergoop!containssilica powders to absorb excess oil—all the more reason to toss it in your beach bag on a hot summer day.

BUY ON SUPERGOOP! – $30

BUY ON ULTA – $30