The 5 Best Mineral Sunscreens

As we should all know by now, wearing sunscreen is one of the most (if not the most) important ways to take care of your skin. And, if you haven't done so already, it's time to hop on board the mineral sunscreen train. Why? Because mineral sunscreen doesn't contain toxic ingredients that could potentially harm your skin and the environment, which should be enough to convince you. Also, mineral sunscreen doesn't actually absorb into the skin, so it's usually better for those with sensitive skin. As opposed to some chemical sunscreens, mineral sunscreen is soothing, less likely to be an irritant, and it even starts protecting the skin as soon as you put it on. Although there are lots of mineral sunscreens to choose from, these are the five best, grouped by category.

Coola Mineral Facial Sunscreen

Silky-smooth, all-natural formula that works wonders

No doubt about it; Coola makes the best mineral sunscreen, on all counts.

Best Overall

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Unlike some mineral sunscreens that can leave a goopy, pasty residue, Coola Mineral Face Sunscreen gives your skin a healthy glow and a gorgeous matte finish. For that alone, we adore it, but there’s so much more to love. The preservative-free, antioxidant-infused formula is gentle yet effective at sun protection, and it’s water-resistant for up to 40 minutes. This sunscreen is also lightly tinted, so it evens the skin tone. Made with natural rosehip oil, evening primrose, flaxseed oils, and other nutrient-rich ingredients, Coola Mineral Sunscreen is actually good for your skin; it nourishes, smooths, and hydrates like no other.

Pros:

Smooths lines and gives a matte finish; skin has a dewy, healthy glow immediately after applying.
Formula is powerful yet gentle, with all-natural, soothing ingredients.
Lightly tinted, so skin tone looks more even.
Nourishes and hydrates the skin like no other mineral sunscreen out there.

Cons:

It comes with a hefty price tag.

Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen

So you can swim and play all day

When using Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen, you can swim for hours, without a care in the world.

Best Water-Resistant

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For a day at the beach, be sure to bring Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen in your tote. The wonderfully effective formula protects skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, and it’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, so you can play in the water for as long as you like (as long as you reapply). Crafted with non-toxic ingredients and beautiful Australian botanicals like eucalyptus, red algae, and kakadu plum, this powerhouse sunscreen provides a powder-like, matte finish and even has a mild, refreshing scent.

Pros:

Super-effective formula protects skin from UVA and UVB rays and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
Contains Australian botanical ingredients that are naturally rich in antioxidants.
Provides a matte finish.
Scent is subtle and refreshing.

Cons:

Not the best for acne-prone skin.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Mineral Sunscreen

Say goodbye to pore-clogging sunscreen

If you struggle with acne, the La Roche-Posay Mineral Sunscreen is your best bet.

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

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When it comes to acne, the struggle is real; so, why aggravate your skin even further when you’re just trying to protect it from the sun? There are plenty of sunscreens out there that aren’t the best for acne-prone skin, but La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Sunscreen isn’t one of them. On the contrary, this fast-absorbing, non-greasy sunscreen is wonderful for those with problem skin. The formula offers broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, smooths in like a dream, and crucially, it won’t clog pores. Plus, the light tint helps to perfect the skin and tamp down any redness.

Pros:

Formula is quick-absorbing, not greasy at all, and won’t clog pores, so it’s great for those with acne.
Light tint helps to even the skin tone and tame redness.
SPF 50 protection.

Cons:

Definitely not the cheapest mineral sunscreen.

Tizo 3 Mineral Sunscreen

Powdery-smooth, with zero shine

No more sticky residue and shiny face; get the Tizo 3 Mineral Sunscreen for the perfect matte finish.

Best Matte Finish

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If you’re tired of having an oil-slicked, shiny face every time you apply sunscreen, then the Tizo 3 Mineral Sunscreen is for you. This sheer-tint sunscreen provides superior protection, but unlike some other sunscreens, it also provides a silky-smooth, totally matte finish. It looks great under makeup, and is lightweight and perfect for daily use. And, conveniently, the Tizo 3 Mineral Sunscreen is suitable for all skin types.

Pros:

Provides great protection from UVA/UVB rays, but unlike some other mineral sunscreens, it has a smooth, perfectly matte finish.
Goes on well under makeup.
Good for all skin types.

Cons:

Again, the price point may not be accessible for everyone.

Thinksport Kids Safe Sunscreen

Clean, non-toxic, and just right for kiddos

This Thinksport sunscreen is the perfect mineral sunscreen for the younger set.

Best for Kids

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No, kids don’t always love applying sunscreen, but that may change with the Thinksport Kids Safe Sunscreen. This non-toxic, highly effective sunscreen glides on easily and absorbs quickly, so kids don’t have to sit still for long. Impressively, this sunscreen was the first of its kind to pass Whole Foods Premium Care requirements, which means that it’s free of potentially harmful chemicals, with a powerful SPF factor (50+). And, it has the highest level of water resistance per the FDA, which is up to 80 minutes.

Pros:

Free of harmful, toxic chemicals.
Has a powerful SPF factor of 50+.
Glides on quickly and smoothly.
Is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

Cons:

May dry out the skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the main difference between chemical and mineral sunscreen?

Mineral sunscreen is physical sunscreen. It contains ingredients—titanium dioxide and zinc oxide—that help to deflect rays off of the skin, as opposed to chemical sunscreen, which allows UV light to absorb through the skin.

Why should I use mineral sunscreen?

Chemical sunscreens contain toxic ingredients like octinoxate and oxybenzone, both of which kill coral. So, mineral sunscreen is the more eco-friendly choice. Also, mineral sunscreen is much less likely to irritate sensitive or acne-prone skin, since it doesn’t actually absorb into the skin.

How often should I wear mineral sunscreen?

Every day. With very few exceptions, you should apply your mineral sunscreen to your face and neck every day; and, if you’ll be in the sun for long periods of time, you should apply sunscreen to every exposed part of the body and reapply diligently (at least every two hours).