We Tested 30-Plus Mineral Sunscreens — These 11 Are the Ones We Still Wear

Some prefer a spray-on sunscreen for ease of application, and we found Coola Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Spray to be a great mineral sunscreen alternative to the many chemical options out there. It’s a nonaerosol lotion spray that comes out white upon application.

“I generally love all Coola sunscreens,” says writer Jessica Migala. “I have used them for years (this is my first time with this specific product) and they all perform really well, feel good on skin, and have pleasant scents.” While this one is advertised as fragrance-free, Migala says she noticed a very light, pleasant scent. It does not have a chemical scent, as many fragrance-free sunscreens do.

“It incorporates into skin nicely without leaving a white cast like some mineral sunscreens, so it's extremely pleasant to apply,” she says. “Tacky upon application but takes less than a minute to dry.” This sunscreen makes reapplication easy, and could be great for parents with active kids who just can’t wait to get into the water as well.

Wearing sunscreen can be tough for people with oily skin, as many sunscreens have oils in their formulas. Anthelios Mineral Tinted Sunscreen by La Roche-Posay is an exception. It’s an oil-free, 100 percent mineral sunscreen that absorbs quickly and dries down to a matte finish (a rarity in the sunscreen world). It’s also allergy- and dermatologist-tested, so it’s okay for sensitive skin.

We love that it comes in a few different tints or tint-free, which still won’t leave a white cast. Writer Amy Marschall, PsyD, who has rosacea, says the sunscreen had a nice evening effect on her skin when she tested it. It left her skin feeling smoother, and it never caused a rosacea flare-up. That said, it might be somewhat drying if you don’t have oily skin.

Writer Raki Swanson, who has sensitive skin, notes this ‘screen did not cause any adverse skin reactions. She also liked the consistency. “It’s watery and not as thick as your average sunscreen,” she says. It can leave a white cast and may take a bit longer to rub into the skin, but it does work. “I did not get any sunburn during my testing, and I was outside all of those days,” says Swanson.

If you find yourself skipping out on sunscreen due to the aftermath of a sweaty workout, Australian Gold’s SPF 50 tinted sunscreen is a reliable choice that protects skin from the sun while you live an active lifestyle.

Sunscreen formulas can sometimes work against you as you begin to sweat. However, writer Maria Cristina Lalonde put the product to the test, and she confirms that this sunscreen doesn’t burn if it gets in your eyes. “I work out a lot, and that is always my biggest pain point with sunscreen: The sweat gets in my eye and can be painful. That wasn't a problem at all with this product,” she says.

Along with its tinted properties, which left a natural-looking glow on Lalonde’s skin, this pick doesn’t feel greasy or tacky. It also wears well under makeup. Plus, it can double as the perfect skin-tint base for summer days when the less products you have to layer on, the better. Whether you wear it on a run, during a high-intensity workout, or while swimming, this sunscreen is also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

One caveat: Reapplication can get messy with this product. The more sunscreen you layer on your skin, the more risk you have of noticing a chalky texture. However, it does spread evenly, so rest assured that one coat of product will coat your skin seamlessly.

As we age, our skin tends to get drier, so it’s important to use skin care products that moisturize whenever possible. This sunscreen serum from Kiehl’s does just that, but it also somehow manages to feel light as air.

Editor Ally Hirschlag tested this on her mature, sensitive skin and could not believe how lightweight it felt. It blended in quickly and seamlessly, and gave her a nice glow that looked great under makeup. “I love that it never feels sticky, but my skin feels hydrated all day,” says Hirschlag. The only downside is you don’t get a ton of product for the price, but it is travel-friendly, which is nice. 

While most sunscreens leave skin looking a bit shiny for at least a few minutes, Supergoop Mineral Mattescreen has a wonderful mattifying effect, which makes this our pick for best mineral sunscreen for use under makeup. It can double as a primer and will effectively grip whatever makeup you put atop it, but it’s tinted and has a blurring effect itself, so it helps to obscure any skin imperfections you might want to hide.

“It’s a blurring sunscreen, so that helps with my discoloration, but it’s not specifically made for this reason,” Ziegler says. “It’s super lightweight, it almost has a whipped, airy texture. It's smooth on the skin — doesn't leave my skin looking or feeling greasy.”

It’s water-resistant for up to 40 minutes, so this SPF 40 sunscreen plays well during workouts or if swimming or a workout is in the cards.

If you’ve ever struggled to find a mineral sunscreen that actually feels good on your skin, Ilia’s Sun Serum may be a good fit. The formula uses zinc oxide for broad-spectrum protection and is packed with ingredients you’re more likely to see in skin care products, like hyaluronic acid for added hydration. It has a thin, almost watery texture that spreads easily and sinks in quickly; it feels more like a hydrating serum than your typical sunscreen. It also comes in two tinted shades to help offset any potential white cast.

Editor Katie Tuttle used this sunscreen on her combination skin and was impressed. “I loved how lightweight and moisturizing this sunscreen feels,” she says. “It gave my skin a nice glow, and it didn’t pill up under my makeup.”

Of course, the dewy look may not be for everyone, and the shade range may prove limiting. But if you’re looking for a more natural, skin-like finish, this is a great pick.

Mineral sunscreens have come a long way since the days of thick, goopy formulas that clogged pores and always left lots of white streaks. This milky sunscreen from Korres is a perfect example. Its fluid formula feels featherlight on the skin, yet it still offers primo sun protection (broad-spectrum SPF 50). It has what the brand calls a “universal tint” that’s designed to disappear on all skin tones. Plus, you can go outside right after application — no 15-minute wait time.

Hirschlag loved testing this product and continues to wear it regularly under makeup (it makes her skin glow). She notes it does have a slight almond scent, but it’s very mild and dissipates quickly. 

Eucerin Tinted Sensitive Mineral SPF 35 Face Sunscreen touts that it’s “blendable with all skin tones.” “It is easy to apply,” says writer LT after testing this product for Everyday Health. “Since I ordered one of the darker skin tone tints, I was surprised by how light it looked when I started rubbing it into my skin. I felt like it took a bit of rubbing to get the lightness and any white cast to start to disappear. But then it did disappear, and my skin felt soft and moisturized.”

The tint can serve as a very light foundation for underneath makeup. LT liked the soft, silky feel of this sunscreen, which she says made her skin feel hydrated after use.

“I like the pump feature that allows the sunscreen to come out in one fluid motion,” LT says. “I also like that the product notes that it comes in a variety of skin tone options.” This is great for those with sensitive skin, as the lotion isn’t abrasive or harsh, and it was developed with dermatologists to ensure top quality. It’s hypoallergenic and free of parabens, dyes, fragrances, phthalates, PABA, oxybenzone, and octinoxate.

It comes in SPF 35, so if you want a higher level of sun protection, this product may not be the one for a long day outdoors. This product is also not water-resistant.

Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. I tested this at a water park with my two kids during midday, and we all came out without burns. I found it to be a bit greasy at first, but it absorbs quickly, and isn’t overly thick, as many high-SPF sunscreens are, so it’s easy to apply on squirmy kiddos.

While the scent isn’t prominently displayed on the front of the product, the back mentions “natural fragrance oil.” I loved the citrusy scent, but wish there were more details on the fragrance and that it was mentioned on the front so that parents of sensitive kids are in the know.

“It's super lightweight and comes in a spray bottle that makes it easy to apply without making your hair look overly greasy and dirty the way a typical sunscreen does,” says Ashley Ziegler, an editor at Everyday Health. “Also, since it’s water-resistant, I don't have to worry about it becoming ineffective when I sweat.”

The product absorbs quickly and protects well against sunburn. Ziegler says this product is great for anyone with thinner hair or anyone who doesn’t want to wear a hat outdoors, but still wants scalp protection. This sunscreen is water resistant for 80 minutes and includes aloe and jojoba for hydration. She also mentions that she used this product on her 5-year-old daughter with eczema, who didn’t have any adverse reactions to the sunscreen.