While mineral and chemical sunscreens are both proven to be “safe and effective in reducing short- and long-term sun damage and skin cancer,” the difference is how they protect you, says Dr. Deborah Spey, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group. Below are some more details about the difference between mineral and chemical sunscreens:
You can find mineral sunscreens in lotion, oil, stick, spray and brush form — all contain zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide that shield skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. But that’s where the similarity ends. Depending on the brand you choose, some can be drying or leave a white cast on your skin, while others may clog your pores because they contain mineral oil or petroleum-based products, according to the dermatologists we spoke to.
Finding a mineral sunscreen without a white cast can be especially challenging for those with darker skin. We can’t guarantee every pick won’t leave a white cast, but we’ve included reviewer comments and some of our staff’s favorite melanin-friendly options to help narrow your choices. The experts we spoke to recommend looking for the following features, which we kept in mind when compiling this list:
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Below, we rounded up dermatologist-recommended mineral sunscreens, plus NBC Select staff favorites from our extensive skin care coverage. We also included some highly rated options that align with our experts’ guidance.
This Herbivore sunscreen earned the No. 3 spot (and the best mineral sunscreen) on our list of 100 best SPFs. NBC Select associate SEO reporter Ashley Morris, who is initially skeptical of any sunscreen’s “universal tint” claim, was pleasantly surprised after wearing this Herbivore one. “It has a pale, almost orange color that I was sure would make my darker-toned, oilier skin look pale and ashy, but I was wrong,” she says, “Although the formula takes a second to absorb, it’s totally worth the wait.” The sunscreen is compatible with all skin types, and has vitamin C to help even out skin tone and prebiotics to improve your skin’s moisture barrier, according to the brand. Morris also loves that she can wear this sunscreen all day without the threat of greasy residue on her already oily skin. “Even when I can feel my skin getting oilier, the sunscreen stays intact — the most I’ll ever get is a soft, slightly sweaty glow, and it also works great under my makeup,” she says.
This Tatcha sunscreen, another favorite of Morris’, who says it doesn’t leave a white cast, in her experience. It has hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to help your skin retain moisture, and silk extract to improve texture. “I love that the formula is so lightweight, it basically melts into my skin,” says Morris. However, she recommends this as an everyday option for those with normal to dry skin, while those with oilier skin may want to use it more occasionally. “I like to use this on days where I know I won’t be sweating or doing too much activity, because it does get slightly greasy after a few hours,” says Morris.
This EltaMD sunscreen is a favorite of NBC Select commerce editor Lindsay Schneider, who doesn’t tend to wear a lot of makeup on the day to day. “I have naturally rosy cheeks, but don’t like to wear foundation or a lot of concealer, and I found the light green tint to be quite effective in concealing that redness,” she says. Schneider compares the color to Dr. Jart’s Cicapair Tiger Grass Treatment, another color-correcting product in her skin care rotation.
Isdin’s sunscreen products are some of Spey’s favorites because they have an ingredient called DNA Repairsomes, which is an enzyme derived from plankton that repairs existing sun damage that is in the cells of your DNA, she says. The SPF also has peptides and antioxidants to minimize signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles, says Spey. Plus, there’s vitamin E to moisturize the skin, according to the brand. However, reviewers with lighter skin tones say the sunscreen’s tint leaves them slightly orange.
This mineral sunscreen has antioxidants to help protect the skin from pollution, infrared radiation and blue light, says King, who wears it daily because it’s lightweight, hydrating and doesn’t leave behind any white residue, in her experience. It also has a hyaluronic acid booster for hydration and works for all skin types and tones, according to the brand.
NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio gravitates towards this sunscreen on days where she wants a slight tint without having to apply a full face of makeup. “It’s one of the lightest, most blendable formulas I tried; my skin absorbs it so easily and quickly and I don’t have to spend several minutes rubbing it in like so many others I tested,” she says. Godio loves that the shade is a bit on the darker side, which gives her skin a glowy, tanned look. Ultra Violette’s Future Screen also soothes and repairs sensitive, acne-prone skin with squalane and vitamin E, according to the brand.
NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin says that this formula absorbs quickly into the skin and works great with layering makeup overtop. The sunscreen has ingredients that specifically target fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots and dryness, according to the brand. “I never look greasy or oily while wearing it, and I practically forget I have it on,” says Malin.
This sunscreen’s lightweight formula goes on sheer and is hydrating enough to replace your daily moisturizer, according to the brand. It also protects the skin from free radicals and blue light and helps improve the appearance of fine lines thanks to ingredients like aloe, jojoba, apple extract, squalene and glycerin, according to Brush On Block. King suggests following it up throughout the day with the brand’s mineral powder sunscreen, which you can apply right over your makeup and leaves you with a matte finish, she says.
Active ingredients: zinc oxide | SPF: 50 | Hydrating: yes | Sheer: yes | Water resistance: 80 minutes
This tinted mineral sunscreen is lightweight and absorbs quickly into the skin, says Spey. The tint prevents it from leaving a white cast and is made of antioxidant-rich plankton, which Spey says can enhance the skin’s natural defenses against the sun. Plus, it’s noncomedogenic, meaning it’s free of any oils that can clog pores or aggravate acne, according to the brand.
Innisfree’s color-correcting mineral sunscreen has hyaluronic acid and cica to soothe sensitive skin, according to the brand. NBC Select senior social media editor Rosalie Sparaco says the sunscreen’s green tint balanced her skin tone nicely, especially since she doesn’t wear a lot of makeup on the day to day. “I didn’t notice a smell, it didn’t feel heavy or make my skin look shiny and best of all, it didn’t irritate my skin, which is slightly sensitive,” says Sparaco.
This mineral sunscreen is a great option for those with acne-prone, sensitive skin because it’s oil-free, says King. It protects against blue light, pollution and infrared radiation, and you can use it as a primer under makeup or in place of a light foundation, according to the brand. This sunscreen also has niacinamide to help maintain and improve your skin’s moisture barrier and help with inflammation, says Rossi.
This moisturizing mineral sunscreen is best suited for normal to dry skin and has ingredients like glycerin, green tea extract, vitamin C and peptides to hydrate and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, according to the brand. Additionally, the iron oxides found in this formula offer a “self‐adjusting universal tint” that should match most skin tones, according to the brand (although some reviewers say it leaves behind a slight white sheen). The sunscreen has a 4.5-star average rating from over 500 reviews on Amazon.
Blue Lizard’s cream lotion is one of our favorite reef-safe sunscreens because it’s free of skin-irritating fragrances and parabens, which dermatologists say is helpful for those with sensitive skin. It has hyaluronic acid for hydration, along with antioxidants like green tea extract and caffeine to improve your skin’s texture and appearance, according to the brand. Blue Lizard products come with patented bottles and caps that turn blue in sunlight to remind you to put on sunscreen, according to the brand. However, reviewers say the product may leave a white cast on darker skin.
Like many other options on our list, this mineral sunscreen has niacinamide, which helps to improve your skin tone and texture, according to the brand. It also protects against infrared radiation, which can lead to hyperpigmentation, says King. The brand also makes a stick version, which is convenient if you’re exercising outdoors since it is less likely to run into your eyes, she says. With a lightweight and sheer formula, this sunscreen works for all skin types and tones, too, according to the brand.
This lavender-scented, non-greasy sunscreen blends in easily and doesn’t leave behind a white cast, says King. It’s noncomedogenic and has antioxidants like blueberry, acai and green tea extracts to help brighten the skin and prevent fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots, as well as Rosa canina fruit oil to help control excess oil and minimize the appearance of pores, according to the brand.
Cotz’s Prime and Protect SPF is a dual purpose sunscreen that also acts as a primer and doesn’t leave a white cast, according to NBC Select video producer Josh Rios. “It blended so quickly and evenly that I forgot that I put it on. So I just did it again. It’s a mineral sunscreen I actually want to recommend,” he says. It leaves a sheer tint and has a matte finish, according to the brand.
When shopping for a mineral sunscreen, you should first know your skin type, according to our experts. Below are some additional factors to consider when shopping:
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Barbara Booth is a former editor at NBC Select who has published several guides on self care and beauty products, including best under-eye patches, best sleep products and the best Amazon fitness products. Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter for NBC Select, covering skin care and wellness topics like sunscreens for dark skin and acne spot treatments. For this piece, Barbara interviewed three dermatologists to get expert-recommended mineral sunscreens and researched dozens of top-rated options on the market that align with expert guidance.
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