These Mineral Sunscreens Act Like a Shield Against Damaging UV Rays

From a kind of under-the-radar derm brand, we’re big into this one for a whole host of reasons. The whipped consistency feels great on your skin, whether you’re applying it every day, for a beach day, under makeup, over moisturizer, you name it. The universal tint works with most skin tones, and it also has the added benefit of protecting you from pollution, yet another skin saboteur.

This is an awesome and wallet-friendly pick for anyone and everyone, so don’t be thrown off by the fact that it’s a baby product. Still, because it’s made for babies, it’s fragrance-free and ultra-gentle (so much so that it received the Eczema Foundation seal) and uses only zinc oxide for sun protection. Also per the baby point, it’s tear-free, making it a great for applying around your eyes, an area that’s especially prone to burning and sun damage.

Despite an impressive 20% concentration of zinc oxide, this never leaves your complexion white or chalky (no matter your skin tone), and has a sheer texture that melts beautifully into the skin. Also nice: Along with powerful sun protection, it contains two different types of antioxidants to counteract free radical damage caused by sun exposure. Think of sunscreen and antioxidants as peanut butter and jelly—each is good on their own, but even better when combined. 

Check out our guide to the best face sunscreens you can buy today. 

One of our favorite ‘screen brands, it’s also a fan favorite among dermatologists. We’re into this Elta option in particular; lightweight and silky, it has just enough tint to counteract any possible whiteness, but still blends in with any skin tone and won’t compete with any makeup you put on over it. 

Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide deliver SFP 50 protection, while polymers form an invisible and undetectable shield on your skin to block out skin-damaging pollution particles. Incredibly lightweight, this feels almost more like a tinted moisturizer than a sunscreen, and layers beautifully under any kind of other skincare products or makeup. Plus, the subtle tint and glowy finish it imparts is perfect for days when you want to go sans makeup (but still give your skin a little something). 

Take a peek at some of the other best zinc oxide sunscreens you can buy.

Stash one of these in your purse, your desk drawer, your car…you get the picture. The powder protector is not only perfect for travel (no spills here) but also makes reapplication easier than ever. (FYI, You really should be reapplying your sunscreen every two hours, which we know seems like a lofty goal, but trust us, this makes it surprisingly attainable.) Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide protect from not only UVA and UVB rays, but also blue light, the light emitted from the screens of electronic devices, which can also be damaging to the skin. Oh, and it also comes in four different shades. 

Still can't decide on what you want? Our round-up of the best sunscreens can help you find what you're looking for.

For body protection purposes, we much prefer sprays over creams—they just make it so much easier to get widespread coverage. The only problem? Up until recently, most sprays were chemical formulas. Happily, there are now a few mineral options available, including this newbie. Plus, it's a tinted option that comes in two shades. And because the can is powered by air rather than an aerosol, you’re minimizing your impact on the environment, too.  

Don’t worry, we won’t ask you to say that three times fast. One of our perennial go-to's, this formula uses straight-up zinc oxide for powerful protection and also contains DNA repairsomes, ingredients that also help reverse previous sun damage (ideal if you maybe haven’t been so on your sunscreen game in the past). Best of all, it’s incredibly lightweight and melts into your skin, without leaving behind any kind of tell-tale residue, even on darker skin tones. Give it a good shake before applying, then prepare to be amazed by how quickly and easily it disappears.

By definition, any mineral sunscreen is going to be a better bet for the easily-irritated set, since minerals are more inert and less likely to cause any kind of allergy or reaction than chemicals. That being said, if you really want to up the ante, this guy has the added benefit of being infused with thermal spring water full of anti-inflammatory and soothing minerals to help quell any redness. Think of it as a chill pill for stressed skin.

Despite how light and silky this feels, it packs a hydrating punch, thanks to the addition of both shea and cocoa butter. Also nice: The clean formula is free of a long list of potentially questionable chemicals (so much so that the Environmental Working Group, an organization that keeps tabs on ingredient safety, gave it top honors), it’s hypoallergenic, and you can grab it at Walmart. 

Sorry, but that ‘sunscreen leaves my face greasy’ excuse just isn’t going to fly anymore. This mattifier-sunscreen hybrid uses natural rice starch to absorb oil, control shine and minimizes the look of pores. The ingredient also soothes irritation too, ideal if blemishes pop up. Zinc oxide delivers your daily dose of sun protection, and we also like that the packaging is made to be fully recyclable, a nice touch. 

Want to take a look at some other options? See our guide to the best sunscreens for oily skin.

When your pores look large and in charge, the last thing you want is for a thick, oily sunscreen to accentuate their appearance. That's what makes this ultra-light, translucent SPF such a great pick. In addition to being a 100% mineral sunscreen with SPF 40, it dries to a blurring matte finish that helps smooth the skin's appearance and reduce the look of problem pores. Wear it under your foundation as a skin-protecting primer or on its own for a no-makeup makeup look sans grease.