Small StepsWhen it comes to sun protection, mineral sunscreens are my go-to choice due to their effectiveness in blocking both UVA and UVB rays over chemical sunscreens. I also feel a little more comfortable with their ingredients than I do with their chemical counterparts. Unfortunately, mineral sunscreen formulas are hit-or-miss, so I’ve compiled a list of the best (and worst) mineral face sunscreens to help you find your perfect match.
Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which sit on the skin’s surface to physically block the sun’s rays, making them ideal for sensitive skin types like mine. As someone with fair skin and pink undertones, I find that these sunscreens perform well, but I can’t speak to how their potential white cast may affect deeper skin tones. However, throughout this review, I’ll mark the products with a * that I believe will have limited white cast on darker skin tones based on their texture and formulations.
If you’re looking for sunscreens that are gentle on the skin and free of harsh chemicals, while still providing excellent protection, these mineral options might be just what you need!
NOTE: These are not affiliate links, I have no connection to these brands and have shared my honest opinions. Links are provided for your convenience only.
Best Mineral Face Sunscreens
#1 – ETVOS Mineral UV Aqua Serum
Let’s start off this list with a little known Japanese skincare brand in the West, ETVOS. ETVOS is known for its use of natural, mineral-based ingredients and a focus on gentle, effective skincare suitable for sensitive skin. The brand emphasizes minimalist formulations, free from harmful chemicals like parabens, silicones, and synthetic fragrances. ETVOS products aim to nourish and protect the skin’s natural barrier, promoting hydration and balance with a science-backed approach. I personally love this sunscreen and buy it every time I visit. I have tried both versions, Tone Up White and Natural Pink. Natural Pink is definitely my preference as the white cast is much more limited and it blends great with my pink undertones. It leaves a beautiful glowy finish.
The Tone Up UV serum offers comprehensive 365-day protection against UV rays and photodamage while moisturizing and conditioning sensitive skin. This multifunctional serum serves as both a UV protector and makeup base, shielding skin from UVA, blue light, near-infrared rays, and environmental pollutants like PM2.5. It features a lightweight, non-sticky texture that leaves skin feeling fresh and clear, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin. Free from harmful ingredients such as parabens, alcohol, and mineral oils, it provides a gentle, all-day barrier to protect and beautify the skin. If you personally avoid titanium dioxide formulas then you’ll want to pass on that. However, toxicity studies have found it to be toxic ONLY when inhaled through sprays or powders. So I still back this 100%.
What I Love:
- It moisturizes while protecting sensitive skin that is prone to damage.
- Limited white cast and very smooth application
What I Don’t Love:
- Expensive, more than $1 per gram
- Would prefer zinc oxide to titanium dioxide formulation
#2 Dr.G Green Mild Up Sun+*
A great budget alternative to ETVOS sunscreen is Dr.G Green Mild Up Sun+. A popular Korean mineral sunscreen known for its gentle yet effective protection, making it an excellent choice for sensitive skin. Formulated with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, it creates a physical barrier against UVA and UVB rays while being free from potentially irritating chemicals. I personally love this sunscreen because of its lightweight feel and the research the brand puts into their product efficacy.
*Since I can’t speak to how it affects darker skin tones, I’ll note that its matte finish is designed to minimize any white cast, and based on its formulation, I believe it may work well for those with deeper skin. If you’re looking for a sunscreen that’s protective, non-greasy, and skin-friendly, this is a solid option!
Stick Version – This sunscreen also comes in a stick version for easy application. I’ve tried it and it works great for on-the-go touch-ups. But you do need to do a few passes and layer it for it to be effective – a simple swipe isn’t enough.
What I Love:
- Matte finish, easy to blend
- Long lasting formula, I can spend the entire day in the sun with one application without a single burn.
What I Don’t Love:
- If you have dry skin it can sometimes pill in those areas. Make sure to moisturize well before applying.
#3 Torriden Mild Dive In Sun Cream
I love almost every Torriden product. They are my holy grail skincare brand. Less popular in the states, but their popularity is increasing – they are very popular in Korea. If you’re seeking a skin-friendly, highly protective sunscreen with gentle ingredients, this one is worth considering!
Torriden Dive-In Mild Sun Cream is a mineral sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum protection while being gentle on the skin. It uses zinc oxide to physically block harmful UV rays and is formulated without harsh chemicals, making it ideal for sensitive skin. I personally like how lightweight and moisturizing this sunscreen feels on my skin, offering a non-greasy finish that blends well.
What I Love:
- Very smooth and lotion-like consistency
- Zinc oxide formula
What I Don’t Love:
- Takes a little longer to blend in than others on this list
#4 Dr. Jart Every Sun Day Mineral Sunscreen
Dr. Jart Every Sun Day Mineral Sunscreen is a broad-spectrum sunscreen that offers effective protection using mineral filters like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. I personally prefer this sunscreen for its clean, non-irritating formula, which works well for sensitive skin types like mine. It’s lightweight, non-greasy, and offers a smooth finish on my fair skin with pink undertones, making it an excellent daily go-to. If you’re seeking a skin-friendly, highly protective sunscreen with gentle ingredients, this one is worth considering!
Some customers with darker skin tones have mentioned a white cast and I can definitely see that being a possibility. It is a thicker and tackier texture than the others on my list so see if you can test this in Sephora before committing to the purchase.
What I Love:
- Great smooth application
What I Don’t Love:
- Added fragrance
- Can feel a little sticky on your skin
#5 Super Goop Mineral Mattescreen Sunscreen*
Supergoop! Mineral Mattescreen Sunscreen is a 100% mineral sunscreen designed to offer broad-spectrum SPF 40 protection while also providing a mattifying effect. It works well for those who prefer a shine-free finish, making it ideal for oilier skin types or anyone who enjoys a smooth, makeup-ready base. This sunscreen is lightweight, blurring imperfections while protecting against UVA, UVB, and blue light exposure. Its oil-free formula helps control excess oil throughout the day, making it a versatile option for daily sun protection with skincare benefits.
This is the only tinted sunscreen on the list. It’s very airy and almost souffle-like out of the tube. Probably the most interesting formula and texture on this list. I really loved this when I first bought it because of its formula. However, as I continued to use it I found it pilled a lot and sometimes I was just spreading small pills of it around my face – especially on my cheeks and near my eyebrows. Having said that, I would still be open to giving this another try since I loved the texture so much. Maybe it’s best for humid months and to skip for drier seasons.
*This is probably the best recommendation for those with darker skin tones since there is no white cast – I would definitely give this one a try. Head over to Sephora to test it out.
What I Love:
- Extremely smooth, souffle-like formula
- No whitecast
What I Don’t Love:
- When it pills, it pills bad
Mineral Sunscreens I DON’T Love
#6 TULA Mineral Magic Oil-Free Mineral Sunscreen*
TULA Mineral Magic Oil-Free Mineral Sunscreen is a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen that uses zinc oxide to provide effective protection from UV rays while being gentle on the skin. Its oil-free formula is lightweight and non-greasy, making it ideal for oily and combination skin types. In addition to UV protection, it includes skin-friendly ingredients like probiotics and papaya to promote a healthy, radiant complexion.
Personally, this always made my skin feel really greasy despite the oil-free formula. It felt heavier on my skin and I would feel that slick texture on my face throughout the day.
What I Love:
- Added skin-friendly benefits to improve complexion
What I Don’t Love:
- The formula doesn’t really dry down and feels very greasy on my skin, which is ironic since it’s supposed to be oil-free
- Sometimes felt a little gritty
#7 First Aid Beauty Mineral Suncreen
First Aid Beauty Mineral Sunscreen is a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen that provides effective UVA and UVB protection using zinc oxide. Its lightweight, non-comedogenic formula is great for sensitive or acne-prone skin, as it’s designed to be gentle without clogging pores. In addition to sun protection, it contains skin-nourishing ingredients like colloidal oatmeal and aloe vera, which help soothe and hydrate the skin. This mineral sunscreen is free of artificial fragrances, alcohol, and other harsh ingredients, making it an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin.
What I Love:
- Lightweight smooth formula
- Great for sensitive skin
What I Don’t Love:
- A slightly sticky finish
- A little hard to control the product dispersal due to the pump bottle
Worst Mineral Sunscreens
#8 Bare Republic Face-Gel Lotion
Bare Republic Face Gel-Lotion is a lightweight, mineral-based sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection. Its unique gel-lotion texture provides a non-greasy, fast-absorbing finish, making it a great option for those who want effective UV protection without a heavy or sticky feel. The formula is enriched with antioxidants like grape seed extract and vitamin E to help nourish the skin while protecting against environmental damage.
Before I discovered the world of mineral sunscreens that didn’t feel thick, sticky, and cause a huge white cast, this was my go-to. However, after trying out so many incredible formulas this one hasn’t held up for me. A strange light blue gel, the texture feels promising, but pills a lot on my skin. The pilling is so extreme for me I find it impossible to use. This is only rated higher than 9 & 10 because those actually gave me a rash, otherwise this formula would be my least favorite.
What I Love:
- Gel-like texture feels nice when applying
- Cruelty-free
- Reef safe
- Dermatologist tested
- Vegan
What I Don’t Love:
- Strange fragrance – it reminds me of the classic sunscreen smell that is starting to go bad
- Extreme pilling
- Blue color
- Feels a little chalky after application
#9 Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Mineral Milk Sunscreen*
Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Mineral Milk Sunscreen is a lightweight, mineral-based SPF 30 sunscreen with a silky, serum-like texture. It uses zinc oxide to provide broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, while ingredients like squalane and vitamin E hydrate and nourish the skin. The formula absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy finish, making it ideal for daily use and a great option for those who prefer a weightless feel.
I loved this when I first tried it and nearly used the entire bottle before I started to feel like my skin was becoming sensitive to it. A little bit of redness and itchiness here and there, I stopped using it and didn’t finish the product. Originally, this would have been one of my favorites, the formula was so lightweight and smooth, albeit a little sticky – but I loved it. After developing a sensitivity to it, and hearing about many others – I don’t think it’s worth it, especially for the price.
Alarming review from Sephora User – “I have got contact dermatitis (my face swelled, got terribly red an itchy) and ended up to the emergency room for half a day.” — Yikes!
What I Used to Love:
- No synthetic fragrance
- Serum-like formula
What I Don’t Love:
- Many people have reported rashes, near the end of my bottle I started noticing more sensitivity to it
- The bottle design makes it difficult to dispense the product
#10 Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Hydrating Mineral Face Sunscreen*
Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Hydrating Mineral Face Sunscreen is a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen that uses zinc oxide to offer effective protection against UVA and UVB rays. Its unique formula is enriched with squalane, a hydrating and skin-barrier-supporting ingredient, making it ideal for those seeking both sun protection and moisture. The sunscreen is lightweight, sheer, and blends well into the skin without leaving a greasy finish. Additionally, it’s reef-safe, fragrance-free, and designed to be gentle on all skin types, making it a great option for everyday use.
Similar to Summer Fridays – I wish I could recommend this sunscreen and before its reformulation it would have probably been my #1 choice. However, in 2023 the sunscreen seemed to have re-formulated and it caused me to break out in a bright red rash all over my face. I reached out to the brand to see if the formula had changed – they told me it hadn’t. But further digging online and it turns out they had reformulated and other people were experiencing the same issue. Now I don’t buy any Biossance products because I don’t trust their formulas or their customer services to be honest.
Some of the newest comments touch on this as well such as “New Formula is a Huge Bummer” and “Itchy Face…I had no issues with the previous formula, but this one is no good. “
If you read the reviews on Sephora, you’ll see many others comment on this formula change and itchy skin – why do these companies have to ruin a good thing!?
What I Used to Love
- The smooth formula and very limited white cast
What I Don’t Love:
- Reformulation caused a bright red itchy rash and damaged skin barrier
- Dishonest customer support
