The 7 Best Mineral Sunscreens, According To Extensive Testing

When it comes to sunscreen, proper application of broad-spectrum formulas with SPF 30 or higher can help prevent skin cancer as well as sun damage. While experts agree that both mineral and chemical sunscreens are safe and effective when used as directed, mineral formulas are ideal for those with sensitive skin—but their active ingredients can tend to leave a white cast, no matter how much you rub it in. Over the course of several weeks and with the help of a diverse panel of testers, I set out to find the best mineral sunscreens that apply smoothly and evenly without leaving a chalky finish. I found the MDSolarSciences Mineral Moisture Defense to be the best overall because of its lightweight and silky consistency, fragrance-free formula and how it smooths onto skin like a dream.

These are the best mineral sunscreens according to our panel’s testing, plus the top mineral picks from Forbes Vetted’s rigorously tested reviews of face sunscreens and SPF for babies.

My top value pick was the Australian Gold Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, thanks to its crowd-pleasing formula that left skin feeling moisturized (plus, it features a light, tropical scent that some might enjoy). Our panel-favorite luxury winner was the Isdin Photo Eryfotona Actinica, which absorbed quickly, had a practically clear finish and hardly made me feel like I was wearing any sunscreen. (Read my in-depth reviews of the MDSolarSciences and Isdin sunscreens here.) Scroll down to see more options in the Other Mineral Sunscreens I Tested section.

These recommendations come from thorough research, testing and expert input. But even with the results of this review across a panel of diverse testers, the best option for you will come down to personal preference. Use this guide as an intensive head start in your search—which may lead right to your new favorite mineral sunscreen.

Type: Mineral | Active ingredients: Titanium dioxide 2%, zinc oxide 17% | Price per fluid ounce: $12.65 | Scent: None | Additional ingredients: Vitamin C, pomegranate, green tea, cranberry, ceramides

Best for:

• Least amount of white cast (none on lighter skin tones)
• A lightweight, silky consistency that applies smoothly
• A hydrating formula
• Those who prefer unscented skincare

Skip if:

• You want a lower price point

The MDSolarSciences Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50 was the overall winner of the panel test, with three out of five reviewers choosing it as their favorite “MDSolarSciences had the best combination of features for me,” said one tester. With a lightweight consistency that feels whipped and silky, this sunscreen goes on almost matte, but leaves skin looking and feeling hydrated thanks to ceramides in the formula, which create a moisture barrier on the skin. There’s no greasy sheen or sticky feeling after application or reapplication—just smooth, moisturized skin. And it’s light enough to use on your face as well.

This product has an off-white, pinkish tint as opposed to the bright white of some sunscreens, which may help explain the lack of white cast it left on all but one of the testers. (It left a very sheer tint on the reviewer with the darkest skin tone, type VI on the Fitzpatrick scale.)

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Type: Mineral | Active ingredients: Zinc oxide 4%, titanium dioxide 4% | Price per fluid ounce: $2.30 | Scent: Light and tropical | Additional ingredients: Antioxidants

Best for:

• Vacation-ready citrus scent
• Excellent value
• Most skin types

Skip if:

• You prefer unscented sunscreen

The Australian Gold Botanical SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Lotion is my new go-to for its nice scent, spreadable lotion consistency (that’s on the thicker side) and low price, which makes it great for stocking up. One of our testers described it as “super easy to rub in.” Another said, “It applied nicely: thick, smooth and moisturizing. It absorbed quickly and left almost no white cast.” The formula is hypoallergenic and non-nano (more on that later), and it leaves skin feeling soft and hydrated, not greasy. Eucalyptus and red algae are some of the antioxidant-rich botanical additives.

If you go through a lot of sunscreen, this is a smart pick. At just over $2 an ounce, it’s ideal for those on a tight budget or looking for sun protection for the whole family. It also has a subtly tropical “citrus oasis” scent; for those who enjoy that type of fragrance, it’ll make you feel like you’re on a beach vacation. If you don’t like scented products, though, this may not be the pick for you.

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Type: Mineral | Active ingredients: Zinc oxide 11% | Price per fluid ounce: $20.59 | Scent: Lightly powdery | Additional ingredients: DNA Repairsomes (photolyases), vitamin E

Best for:

• Lightweight coverage
• Quick absorption
• Skin-repairing ingredients
• Those with sensitive skin

Skip if:

• You want a more water-resistant formula
• You prefer unscented sunscreen

Our panel loved this formula’s extremely minimal white cast and quick absorption. “My top choice was the Isdin sunscreen, mainly because I felt like it rubbed slightly better into my skin and left the least amount of tint,” wrote one tester. “I almost couldn’t tell I was wearing it, and I applied it in different spots just to triple-check.” The light consistency makes it great for both the face and body. It’s easy to rub in, possibly because the formula is a bit runny. Luckily the product flow is easy to control thanks to the bottle design.

Besides broad-spectrum SPF 50+ protection, the Isdin Photo Eryfotona Actinica sunscreen provides a major benefit: sun damage–repairing properties. It contains antioxidants and DNA Repairsomes, or photolyases, which are “enzymes that seem to repair UV damage or UV DNA damage,” says dermatologist Dr. Keith Roby. These additives are part of a new sunscreen trend combining treatment with prevention. The downside? They don’t come cheap. Since it’s pricey, I plan on saving this skin-restoring sunscreen for especially sun-damaged areas like my face, shoulders and chest.

The sunscreen has a light, powdery scent reminiscent of summer vacation. One tester described it as smelling “slightly expensive, in a good way.” It’s also worth noting that this sunscreen is water-resistant for up to 40 minutes only, as opposed to the other ones our panel tested, which claim up to 80 minutes. So if you’re swimming or sweating, you’ll want to reapply more frequently.

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Type: Mineral | Active ingredients: Zinc oxide 10%, titanium dioxide 5.5% | Price per fluid ounce: $9 | Scent: Faintly clinical | Additional ingredients: Antioxidants

Best for:

• Those with sensitive skin
• Children
• Applying on either wet or dry skin

Skip if:

• Any fragrance bothers you—this one has a slightly unpleasant scent
• You don’t want any white cast

The EltaMD UV Pure sunscreen is a solid option that also comes highly recommended by dermatologists. The somewhat runny, lotion-like formula rubs in smoothly and leaves skin moisturized. “It applied easily and struck a nice balance between not feeling too dry or greasy,” wrote one tester. It’s labeled fragrance-free, but I noticed a somewhat unpleasant, though faint, scent after application. “Smelled a little too clinical for my liking,” noted another reviewer. Also, some testers did notice a bit of a white cast after application.

Roby, who uses EltaMD sunscreens himself, notes that it’s a good choice for heavier-use applications, like outdoor activities. The brand has a stellar reputation among skincare professionals, perhaps because it started as a medical-grade product sold by physicians’ offices. Indeed, the UV Pure comes with a Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation, which means that the organization recommends it as an effective broad-spectrum sunscreen based on stringent criteria. (The MDSolarSciences Mineral Moisture Defense also has the SCF seal, as does the Alba Botanica Sheer Mineral Sunscreen that didn’t make the final cut.)

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Type: Mineral | Active ingredients: Zinc oxide 9.4% | Price per fluid ounce: $21.18 | Scent: None | Additional ingredients: Antioxidants, chamomile, squalane

Best for:

• No white cast
• Serum-like formula with free-radical protection
• All skin types
• Those who prefer unscented skincare

Skip if:

• You want a more hydrating formula
• You’re not a fan of a thinner consistency in sunscreen

Our panel of face sunscreen testers raved about this pearly yellow liquid for the way it instantly smooths into skin, despite being a 100% mineral sunscreen. Although it has a slightly tacky feeling initially, the serum-like formula feels as lightweight as a chemical sunscreen. It dries quickly, feels barely noticeable and leaves skin looking even and toned.

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Type: Mineral | Active ingredients: Titanium dioxide 5%, zinc oxide 15% | Pric