These 11 Best Mineral Sunscreens Safeguard Your Skin—Sans the White Cast

Best Overall

EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen

$45 at Amazon $46 at Target $45 at Eltamd.com

Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, octinoxate | SPF: 46 | Size: 1.7 oz | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Rethink everything you think you know about sunscreen. There’s no goopiness, greasiness, or unwanted white residue here. Instead, this absorbs crazy quick (our tester found that it took about 30 seconds), leaving skin feeling hydrated with a matte, natural finish. Our tester also appreciated that it didn’t trigger any breakouts or irritation on her sensitive, acne-prone skin, and it layered nicely with all of the other products in her morning routine. It is worth noting, however, that this isn’t strictly mineral-based; it combines zinc oxide with octinoxate, a chemical sunscreen ingredient, for a hybrid formula.

Madison Barber, writer with combination, acne-prone skin: “This formula felt invisible and even mattifying on my skin all day long, rather than feeling like a goopy sunscreen. It actually makes me want to actually wear sunscreen every day.” 

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

Bubble Skincare Solar Mate Mineral Sunscreen

$17 at Amazon $19 at Ulta $17 at Target

Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 40 | Size: 1.7 oz | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

As anyone battling breakouts will tell you, finding a good sunscreen that doesn’t trigger more pimples can be a serious undertaking. Happily, this one shields your complexion without causing any further breakouts. It’s noncomedogenic (meaning there’s no need to worry about clogged pores) and also feels incredibly light and clean on the skin. Our tester also appreciated that it didn’t emphasize irregular skin texture (a boon if you’re dealing with any acne scarring) and how nicely it glided across her complexion. 

India, tester with acne-prone skin (not shown): “This was more tolerable than other sunscreens I've used in the past, especially mineral ones. I would definitely purchase this, and it makes me want to replace the one I have in my rotation.”

Best Drugstore

CeraVe Sensitive Skin Mineral Sunscreen

$17

$14 at Amazon $17 at Ulta $14 at Target

Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide | SPF: 50 | Size: 1.62 oz | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: No

This beloved drugstore brand may be best known for its cleansers, but don’t sleep on its mineral sunscreen formula. It pairs both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for a strong dose of SPF 50 protection, but never leaves behind a telltale white or chalky cast—one of our tester’s favorite attributes. She also loved the featherweight feel; she was quick to note that the light texture made both initial application and reapplication (even over makeup) totally seamless. Also nice: It contains skin barrier-boosting ceramides, a major win for those with drier or more sensitive complexions.

Heidi, tester with normal skin (not shown): “This performed equally to a more expensive product I've used in the past and was more tolerable than other brands I've tried that are at a similar price point. It's a pleasant (and important) addition to your skincare routine.”

Best for Oily Skin

Isdin Eryfotona Ageless Tinted Sunscreen

$78 at Amazon $78 at Sephora $78 at Dermstore

Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 50 | Size: 3.4 oz | Water-Resistant: 40 minutes | Cruelty-Free: No

For those struggling with slick skin (say that three times fast), it’s imperative to find a sunscreen that doesn’t make that greasiness feel or look worse. This checks exactly that box—and then some. Our tester appreciated how quickly it soaked into her complexion, leaving behind a clean, smooth feel. The natural, matte finish lasts all day, while the sheer tint helps even out skin tone. We also appreciate that this contains antioxidant-rich vitamin E, offering an extra boost of skin protection.

Anna Traver, writer with oily skin (not shown): “The sunscreen absorbed pretty quickly! I didn't find my skin to feel wet or greasy afterward; it just felt clean and smooth.”

Best Lightweight

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Mineral Sunscreen

$43

$30 at Amazon $43 at Ulta $43 at Dermstore

Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide | SPF: 50 | Size: 1.7 oz | Water-Resistant: 40 minutes | Cruelty-Free: No

We have yet to meet someone who wants their sunscreen to feel thick and goopy—and mineral formulas are somewhat notorious for veering in that direction. Happily, that’s no longer the case. Exhibit A: This winner, which we loved for feeling featherweight on the skin and applying beautifully. It comes in four tinted shades, but our tester found that even the non-tinted variant wasn’t in the least bit chalky. All that being said, it did take slightly longer to absorb than we would have liked and caused makeup to pill—so consider saving this for the beach or pool rather than everyday use. (It’s one of the few on our list that’s water-resistant, making it a great option for such summer occasions.)

Ashley, tester with dry skin (not shown): “This is really gentle on the skin, lightweight and smooth, and definitely hydrating.”

Best Budget

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Mineral Sunscreen

$15 at Amazon

Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide | SPF: 70 | Size: 1.4 oz | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Here’s proof positive that you really don’t have to shell out the big bucks to find a great, effective sunscreen. At less than $20, this is a steal of a deal, particularly considering that it packs a hefty SPF 70 (using only mineral ingredients) and is both noncomedogenic and hypoallergenic. To that point, our tester was quick to note that it didn’t cause any irritation or breakouts. It does bear mentioning, however, that it took a little bit of time to fully blend and absorb into the skin. It also left behind more of a white cast than many others on this list, though she combatted this by applying and layering small amounts at a time. 

Katie, tester with dry skin (not shown): “This is great add to my daily rotation, especially during the summer or when you want more protection—like a beach day or day out in the sun.”

Best Matte Finish

Supergoop! Mineral Mattescreen

$40 at Amazon $40 at Sephora $40 at Ulta

Active Ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide | SPF: 40 | Size: 1.5 oz | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re prone to super slick spots, try this aptly named pick. Our tester (with combination skin) called out the velvet-like finish and mousse-like feel. The formula is also oil-free, another plus for those trying to tamp down unwanted sheen or shine. FYI, while it is tinted, our tester noted that it still skewed a bit chalky and also didn’t really offer much coverage; she also lamented the plasticky scent.

Emily Cieslak, associate editor with combination skin (not shown): “This sunscreen has a creamy, mousse-like texture and glides across the skin and is lightweight. It has a soft, velvet-matte finish.”

Best for Sensitive Skin

Tower 28 SOS FaceGuard Mineral Sunscreen

$32 at Amazon $32 at Sephora $32 at Kohls.com

Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 30 | Size: 1.69 oz | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

In general, mineral formulas are the way to go for those with sensitive skin, but this one really takes the cake. It's fragrance-free, bolstered with skin-strengthening ceramides, and is so gentle that it’s earned the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Approval. Our eczema-prone tester confirmed that it didn’t trigger any redness, and she also liked how the whipped, airy consistency felt on her skin. While it did leave a bit of an initial white cast, that quickly dissipated, but it did occasionally pill after a long day.

Dominique Hobdy, senior editor with oily skin (not shown): “I’d recommend this to those that need a no-fuss, fragrance-free, everyday sunscreen.”

Best for Dry Skin

Ranavat Radiant Rani Mineral Sunscreen

$65 at Sephora $65 at Ranavat.com

Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 50 | Size: 1.7 oz | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

A milky texture—credit hydrating squalane in the mix—makes this a top choice for anyone with drier skin. Our tester loved that it didn’t cling or accentuate dry patches, but rather glided across her complexion seamlessly, leaving behind a dewy luminescence that looked great both on its own and under makeup. (In related news, there’s also radiance-boosting saffron in the formula, which helps to combat dark spots.) It’s another noncomedogenic choice as well, although those with oilier skin may find it a bit too glowy for their skin type. And be sure to let it fully soak in before applying makeup; it has a tendency to pill a bit if it’s not fully dried beforehand.

Lauren Pardee, associate editorial director with normal to dry skin (not shown): “This gives an added boost of hydration and glow to my currently dull complexion. What sets this product apart is its glowy, luminous sheen.”

Best Tinted

InnBeauty Project Mineral Sun Glow

$36 at Sephora $36 at Kohls.com $36 at Innbeautyproject.com

Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 43 | Size: 1.7 oz | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The subtle tint of this winner ensures that there’s no Casper the Ghost-like residue. Our tester loved not only the sheer color (FYI, it comes in three shades) but also the hydrating formula and glowy finish. Similarly, she noted that it worked and looked equally as good when worn under makeup or on its own. Plus, it didn’t accentuate prominent texture or pores. And perhaps most importantly, it didn’t cause any kind of irritation or redness, a huge win for our tester who said most other formulas do tend to stress out her skin. 

Alyssa Kaplan, editor with combination skin (not shown): “I absolutely hate wearing facial SPF because nearly every formula I've tested causes a skin reaction. But I've been using this one for over a year, and I've never had an issue with it! It has a sheer tint, so there’s no white cast or chalky appearance at all.”

Best for Body

Coppertone SPORT Mineral Sunscreen Spray

$15 at Amazon

$13

$12 at Walmart $15 at CVS

Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 50 | Size: 5 oz | Water-Resistant: 80 minutes | Cruelty-Free: No

To safeguard the skin below your chin, reach for this wallet-friendly drugstore buy. It relies solely on zinc oxide and is fragrance-free, both great attributes if you’re looking to minimize any potential irritation. Keep in mind that a lot sprays on all at once, and you’ll need to put in some effort in order to fully get it rubbed into your skin; even then, our tester called out that it still appeared a bit too white, especially on darker or tanned skin. And save it for use on your body only, since both the thicker texture and spray format make it less than ideal for the face.

Kate, tester with dry to normal skin (not shown): “This is a reliable body sunscreen for active days. And since it’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, it’s especially well-suited for outdoor sports, beach days, or long workouts in the sun.”