Dermatologists & Testers Agree: These Mineral Sunscreens Won’t Leave You Looking Like a Ghost (2024)

Our Top Picks

Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 30 | Size: 1.7 oz | Free of: Chemical sunscreens, parabens, phthalates | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re going to reach for one sunscreen day in and day out, make it this one. It contains zinc oxide—a go-to ingredient for creating a barrier between harmful UV rays and your skin. Zinc oxide naturally has a white, pasty tint, but this goes on more sheer, both in color and feeling, than any mineral formula we’ve ever used. (And we’ve used a lot of them.) It’s oil-free—a win for those with oily, acne-prone skin—and contains hydrating sea buckthorn, anti-inflammatory ferulic acid, and antioxidant lingonberry to help your skin repair itself. Our tester found that it blends beautifully into the skin and doesn't pill when makeup is layered on top of it. We also love that the applicator makes it easy to dole out the ideal amount of product for all-day coverage.

Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 50 | Size: 2 oz | Free of: Oils, fragrance, parabens, phthalates, dyes, octinoxate, oxybenzone | Water-Resistant: Up to 80 minutes | Cruelty-Free: No

This trusty drugstore find offers broad-spectrum SPF 50 (meaning it protects against UVA and UVB rays, both of which can contribute to skin cancer) thanks to naturally sourced 100% zinc oxide. Even better, it uses a special dry-touch technology that ensures you won’t be left feeling greasy after application. The fact that it’s noncomedogenic—meaning it won’t clog your pores—only adds to the appeal.

Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 50 | Size: 1.7 oz | Free of: Parabens, fragrance, formaldehyde, phthalates, oxybenzone, octinoxate | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

When it comes to sunscreen that doubles as skincare, this luxe serum from Dr. Brandt Skincare has our stamp of approval. The formula offers broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection against UVA and UVB rays via non-nano zinc oxide (meaning the sunscreen won’t penetrate your skin) and offers several skincare benefits thanks to plankton extract, which addresses hyperpigmentation and clary sage ferment, which evens out the complexion. It leaves behind an invisible finish, so there’s no need to worry about a pesky white cast, and it also makes an excellent base for makeup.

Type: Mineral & chemical | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, octinoxate | SPF: 46 | Size: 1.7 oz | Free of: Fragrance | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re looking for a formula that contains both mineral and chemical SPF, consider this lightweight option. It’s a hybrid that blends zinc oxide and octinoxate, a chemical sunscreen ingredient, both of which are chemically proven to prevent UV damage. We love how the formula goes on totally clear—so there’s no white cast—and it dries almost immediately. We also like it as an option for acne-prone skin since it’s oil-free and contains anti-inflammatory niacinamide and gently exfoliating lactic acid. During testing, we appreciated the healthy glow it gave us (which, might we add, lasted all day long) and the fact that it didn’t cause any irritation, which can happen with some chemical sunscreens. It’s not the most hydrating, so we suggest layering on some moisturizer before application to ensure skin stays hydrated throughout the day.

Lauren Pardee, senior commerce editor: "The finish felt calming on my skin, and it didn’t cause any irritation or redness. I also liked that it didn’t make my skin feel tight or leave a sticky cast behind, which sometimes happens when I use formulas with zinc oxide."

Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 40 | Size: 1 oz | Free of: Fragrance, parabens, phthalates, octinoxate, oxybenzone | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This formula is part serum, part foundation, and part SPF, allowing you to combine three steps into one (although we recommend applying a separate layer of SPF underneath for extra protection when possible). It contains plant-based squalane and two types of hyaluronic acid, which penetrate various levels of the skin to impart tons of hydration. We found the coverage to be gorgeous, sheer, and glowy, and we were impressed by the fact that it comes in 30 shades. (Pro tip: The color does change a little after you apply it, so we recommend letting it sit for 30 to 60 seconds before blending.) Plus, its broad-spectrum SPF 40 sun protection formula contains plenty of zinc oxide to keep the sun from hurting your skin.

Note: We experimented with this product both in our lab and at home, and in both scenarios, we noticed that the serum is on the runnier side. To avoid making a mess and wasting precious product, we recommend taking your time and being intentional about how much product you dispense with the dropper.

Star Donaldson, social media director: "For a skin tint, Ilia's Super Serum Skin Tint has a surprising amount of coverage—I would call it medium. It has an oily texture, but it's oil-free, which makes it safe for my acne-prone skin. It blends out seamlessly and really feels like you're wearing nothing."

Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide | SPF: 30 to 50 | Size: 0.21 oz | Free of: Oils, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, octinoxate, oxybenzone | Water-Resistant: Up to 80 minutes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This powder protector is not only perfect for travel (no gloopy spills here) but also makes reapplication easier than ever, which is important since Dr. Garshick recommends reapplying sunscreen every two hours. “This is a great option, as it can be easily applied over makeup and can be used on the go,” says Dr. Garshick. “It contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and incorporates Enviroscreen technology to provide protection not only against UVA and UVB rays, but also pollution, blue light, and infrared radiation,” which can wreak havoc on the skin and lead to premature aging in the form of wrinkles, dark spots, and more.You just have to make sure to apply the powder for at least 60 seconds for adequate protection.

It comes in four different shades and it blended beautifully on our dark skin, giving us a soft glow while soaking up any oily spots. Just keep in mind that it’s a powder, so it can cling to dry patches. Be sure to layer on a good moisturizer before application if you have especially dry skin.

Shannon Stubbs, commerce writer: "I love that it reduces shine without making my complexion look flat, and that it doesn’t feel heavy or dry on my skin."

Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 50 | Size: 3.4 oz | Free of: Parabens, octinoxate, oxybenzone | Water-Resistant: Up to 40 minutes | Cruelty-Free: No

One of our perennial go-tos, this formula uses straight-up zinc oxide for powerful protection. It also relies on DNA repairsomes, powerful enzymes from plankton that help reverse previous sun damage (ideal if you haven’t been so on top of your sunscreen game in the past). It’s also a favorite of Dr. Garshick's. “This ultralight zinc sunscreen absorbs so well it’s often hard to believe it contains zinc,” she says.

Give it a good shake before applying, then prepare to be amazed by how quickly and easily it disappears. After wearing it ourselves for multiple weeks, we loved how light and liquidy the texture was, making it easy to both apply and reapply throughout the day. We also appreciated that it sat perfectly under makeup without pilling or leaving the skin greasy. Some reviewers online shared that they weren’t fans of the tropical scent, but we didn’t mind it.

Stacey, tester with very dry skin: "This sunscreen spread like melted butter, and I loved how seamlessly it applied to the skin."

Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide | SPF: 40 | Size: 1.5 oz | Free of: Parabens, sulfates, gluten, fragrance, octinoxate, oxybenzone | Water-Resistant: Up to 40 minutes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

When you have oily skin, the last thing you want is a thick, greasy sunscreen to accentuate the appearance of your pores and make you look even shinier. That’s what makes this ultralight SPF such a great pick. In addition to being a 100% mineral sunscreen with SPF 40 sun protection, this has a matte, shine-free finish that helps smooth the skin’s appearance and reduces shine.

We’ve worn it alone on bare skin or underneath makeup (it works beautifully as a smoothing, skin-protecting primer) and love the way it glides effortlessly over the surface of the skin. It’s worth mentioning that the formula has a peachy hue to offset any white cast, and while it can stretch to accommodate a range of skin tones, it might not look as natural on those with darker skin tones. We really hope the brand creates a few more iterations so that anyone and everyone can use it.

Caitlyn Martyn, associate commerce editor: "When it comes out of the tube, you might notice the primer-like texture, which is due to the use of silicones to add glide. But, as you work it into your skin, the formula begins to break down and leave behind a smooth yet powdery finish. I was in awe at how it diffused the look of my enlarged pores and minimized the appearance of shine on my entire face."

Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 30 | Size: 1.7 oz | Free of: Fragrance, silicone, sulfates, drying alcohols, octinoxate, oxybenzone | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Those with acne-prone skin often shy away from sunscreen, fearing it’ll be greasy and pore-clogging. While that may be the case for some sunscreens, this option from Hero Cosmetics is designed with acne-prone skin in mind. It's formulated with 100% non-nano zinc oxide (a mineral that’s excellent at blocking UV rays without seeping into the pores and causing a reaction), and it’s lightweight and comfortable on the skin. The formula also offers a subtle green tint that helps counteract redness and imparts a more even-toned look to the complexion. When we tried this pick ourselves, we noticed that it has a blendable consistency that stays put once absorbed (aka, it didn’t pill or streak as the day went on). It can be a bit drying, though, so if you have dry skin, make sure you layer on a moisturizer to avoid patchiness.

Kelly, product tester with combination skin: "It felt very light on dispensing and upon application, glided onto the skin and rubbed in easily. It's not greasy or too oily, super lightweight and silky."

Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 50 | Size: 1.7 oz | Free of: Sulfates, parabens, phthalates, octinoxate, oxybenzone | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This mineral sunscreen from Tatcha provides SPF 50 protection along with a subtle tint and a healthy glow. It’s chock-full of skincare benefits, as it’s formulated with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, squalane, and allantoin. After using this sunscreen daily, associate commerce editor Emily Cieslak saw a noticeable improvement to her skin's texture—dehydration lines disappeared and pores shrunk.

All in all, it makes for a perfect base under makeup since it blends so smoothly into the skin, but it’s also a great choice for the days you want to go sans makeup (but still give your skin a little something). The only thing we wish we could change is the fact that the tint is only available in one tint. We’d love to see more options so that everyone can find a more suitable match.

Karla Ayala, Byrdie writer: "It has a subtle beige tint that just melts into your skin, leaving no white cast at all. It feels super lightweight—as though you're wearing nothing at all—which is perfect for everyday wear. The formula delivers a radiant finish without excessive shine. I appreciated that it didn'tcause my foundation or concealer to cake. As I kept using it, I started noticing some real improvements in my skin. I had a more even tone and my skin felt notably softer."

Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 32 | Size: 1.75 oz | Free of: Fragrance, mineral oil, benzene | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Those with sensitive skin know that finding an SPF that doesn't irritate can be tricky, but this one is fantastic. It's formulated with turmeric to soothe irritated skin and plant-based probiotic technology to strengthen the skin barrier. The lotion-like consistency is quick to blend out, super fast-absorbing, and doesn't pill. It feels weightless on the skin and leaves the face feeling balanced—neither dried out nor greasy. We tested it on two testers—one with sensitive skin and the other with acne-prone skin—and neither experienced irritation or breakouts. The product has a slight pink tint to counteract a white cast, though the shade may still be too light for certain skin tones.

Amy, tester with senstivie skin: "Since this sunscreen has a pink tint coloring to it, there was a nice glow to my skin after application. This product didn't seem to settle into the lines or pores on my face."

Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 30 | Size: 1.7, 5 oz | Free of: Fragrance, octinoxate, oxybenzone | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Glowy, protected skin is always in, and this priming SPF helps you achieve it. It's formulated with 100% non-nano zinc oxide to minerally block out UV rays, and the lightweight formula has a golden tint to ensure it doesn't create a white cast on darker skin tones. It looks luminous and beautiful on bare skin—our tester loved how it looked on her olive skin tone—but it also doubles as a makeup primer and layers nicely underneath foundation.

Oftentimes, glowy products can be greasy on the skin, but this one isn't. In fact, when testing this product on dry skin, we found the formula slightly drying after using it for several days in a row, so we recommend applying it on top of moisturizer unless you have super oily skin.

Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 30 | Size: 5 oz | Free of: Fragrance, parabens, phthalates, octinoxate, oxybenzone | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We love using a spray sunscreen like this one at the beach, when rubbing in a lotion feels more like a sand scrub. Fast-absorbing and nongreasy, this formula has a 14.2% concentration of sun-blocking zinc oxide, along with a blend of certified organic plant-based antioxidants—we’re talking red raspberry seed oil, prickly pear extract, and buriti oil—which act as a nontoxic second line of defense against skin-damaging free radicals. We also appreciate that it’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and dries upon contact with the skin. This one isn’t formulated for the face, so we recommend keeping application limited to the body.