These Are the Best Mineral Sunscreens, According to Editor Testing and Dermatologists (2024)

Dermatologists are always talking about how crucial the best sunscreen is, but have you given much thought to how it protects you? There are two types of sunscreens chemical vs. physical (or mineral) sunscreens. The best mineral sunscreens “contain inorganic compounds like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to block UV rays,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC, while chemical sunscreen uses chemical filters to “absorb UV light and prevent it from penetrating into the skin,” explains Dr. Zeichner.

Because of how mineral sunscreen works, you may associate it with a thick white cast. But many of today’s formulas are pretty close to sheer, even if you have darker skin and have struggled to blend in your SPF. Plus, experts say mineral sunscreens are great for sensitive skin since they tend to cause less irritation.

Meet the experts: Joshua Zeichner, M.D., board-certified dermatologist in New York City; Angela Casey, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Ohio; Meghan Feely, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New Jersey and New York City; Shari Marchbein, M.D., a New York City-based dermatologist; Jennifer David, D.O., founder of Skin & Scripts Virtual Dermatology; Janiene Luke, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Loma Linda, CA

Many experts feel that mineral sunscreens are safer than chemical formulations, says Angela Casey, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and skin cancer specialist at the Center for Surgical Dermatology in Ohio. Both types are approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but last year, the FDA called for more research to look into the safety of specific chemical sunscreen ingredients being absorbed into the skin. Mineral sunscreens don’t come with that same baggage.

Our top picks:

That said, there is a great variety of options on the market. After consulting several dermatologists, and testing many products ourselves, we’ve found the best mineral sunscreens for every skin type and tone.

High in SPF and relatively low in price, Coppertone’s mineral sunscreen lotion is great for your poolside days. Its formula contains zinc oxide and skin-boosting botanicals, including tea leaf, sea kelp, and lotus extracts, to keep your face and body feeling hydrated and happy under the sun’s harsh rays.

A mineral version of the Supergoop!’s popular Unseen Sunscreen, this new launch is a must for your beauty bag (year-round). With SPF 40 and a virtually undetectable feel (seriously, Goldman forgot she even put it on, it’s that lightweight), it makes for a great makeup base. Plus, it leaves skin feeling silky while protecting against harmful UV rays.

This pick from Eucerin is great if you’re looking for a sunscreen you can use all over—and one that’s also suitable for sensitive skin. “This ultra-lightweight lotion sunscreen uses mineral-only filters that can be used on both the face and the body,” says Dr. Zeichner. “It easily can be spread to large body surface areas and fully rubs into the skin without leaving a harsh, white cast. Plus it offers 80 minutes of water resistance.”

Looking for a good mineral sunscreen from a K-beauty brand? This one from Dr. Jart is great for all skin types, including sensitive skin—and reviewers love how well it absorbs with a lightweight feel and a matte finish. “Finally found my perfect sunscreen,” wrote one Sephora customer. “This product is lightweight and easily melts into the skin. I have light-tan skin and this does not leave a white cast...My face feels hydrated without feeling sticky or looking greasy.”

This mineral sunscreen “contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in particle sizes that are too large to penetrate the skin, so it won’t cause irritation,” Marisa Garshick, M.D., a dermatologist at Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery (MDCS) in New York previously told us. “It provides SPF 30 broad spectrum coverage and the bottle changes color when you are exposed to UV light so you have a reminder when you need to apply.”

“This is a stick formulation that swipes on clear and is super easy to apply when you’re on the run. I keep one in my purse,” Dr. Casey says. It’s also packed with moisturizing ingredients to keep skin hydrated, including soothing aloe and nourishing cocoa seed butter.

Dr. Luke recommends this sunscreen from Black-owned brand Buttah Skin because the formula “blends nicely with a variety of skin tones, is affordable, and widely available,” she explains. The sunscreen also contains hydrating and soothing ingredients like glycerin, allantoin, and panthenol to keep skin looking and feeling healthy. While the product is tinted to avoid any white cast, the brand explains that the formula “goes on clear” and dries down to a matte finish.

This bronzy, tinted sunscreen not only helps protect skin from UVA and UVB rays, but it also adds hydration and radiance to your complexion. It “blends seamlessly with darker skin tones,” Dr. Luke explains. It also offers antioxidants like niacinamide and protects skin from blue light.

It may say baby on the bottle, but anybody can—and should!—use this sweet papaya-smelling pick. This sunscreen contains zinc oxide, aloe, and hyaluronic acid, which will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth. Lather it on and stay protected in the water for up to 80 minutes.

This zinc oxide sunscreen “is beloved by women and men, as it rubs in beautifully without leaving a white film on the skin,” says Shari Marchbein, M.D., a New York City-based dermatologist and a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. It “is a physical sunscreen, so it’s great for those with sensitive skin,” she adds. It also contains additional ingredients, including DNA-repairing enzymes and vitamin E, for added protection.

“Powder sunscreens are beneficial to those who wear makeup in the summer but don’t want the greasy feeling of a lotion,” Ellen Marmur M.D., a New York City-based dermatologist and founder of Marmur Metamorphosis Skincare previously told Prevention. Dr. Luke recommends this product from Colorescience and likes that it is “available in a wide variety of shades” to suit both lighter and darker skin tones. She also appreciates that the brush-on product makes reapplication easier than ever.