All the Best Natural and Mineral Sunscreens (That We’ve Written About on the Strategist)

As mentioned, “natural” sunscreen typically contains mineral blockers that sit on top of the skin and deflect the sun’s rays, creating a physical barrier between your skin and UV light. Our beauty writer Tembe Denton-Hurst loves the ultra-lightweight La Roche-Posay Anthelios mineral-based sunscreen, which “manages to be whisper-light and moisturizing at the same time.”Dermatologist Yoram Harth is also an Anthelios fan and says, “I like the La Roche-Posay because it’s suitable for the face and body. It contains vitamin E, herbal extracts, and antioxidants to soothe stressed-out skin and shield you from the sun.”

EltaMD UV Clear, a hybrid sunscreen with high levels of zinc oxide, has been recommended to us time and time again by dermatologists (for darker skin tones, aging skin, cystic acne, and teens, too). It’s also a consistent Strategist best seller. Beyond being fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, the lightweight formula contains ingredients like niacinamide, a vitamin-B3 derivative with anti-inflammatory properties, which can help fight breakouts, says Dr. Nava Greenfield, a dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group. Plus lactic acid, “which will gently exfoliate the skin and regulate sebum buildup,” also helps keep breakouts at bay, says Dr. Dendy Engelman, a dermatologic surgeon at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue.

To manage dryness while protecting skin from the sun’s harsh rays, Elizabeth Hand, an aesthetician and founder of Stalle Studios, recommends this sunscreen, which she uses daily. In our guide to the best facial sunscreens, Hand describes the formula as “next level” and adds that “Dr. Loretta spent part of her career working with the creator of the Fitzpatrick Scale, the universal classification system used to categorize human skin pigmentation and its response to UV-light exposure, so she knows a thing or two about SPF.”

Tizo is “really gentle on acne,” Greenfield says. In addition to vitamin E, an ingredient that Robinson says can treat post-acne spots, it’s infused with vitamin C to brighten and reduce inflammation. (Former Strategist writer Lori Keong has written about how Tizo is also suitable for those with body acne as, with regular application, it can prevent hyperpigmentation.) And while dermatologist Dr. Chauncey Barbulescu is a fan of the tinted version for darker skin tones, this colorless formula is also sensitive-skin-friendly, as it’s made without oil, parabens, and fragrance.

For a sensitive-skin-friendly product, consider Vanicream. It’s a mineral-based sunscreen that’s free of potential irritants, such as fragrances, dyes, parabens, and botanical extracts. Formulated with nourishing ceramides, it has an SPF factor of 30 and uses non-nano zinc oxide to provide broad-spectrum protection.

I recently started seeing a medical aesthetician who noticed that one of my skin issues is redness. Since then, I’ve been using this green-tinted mineral sunscreen, which has hydrating hyaluronic acid, olive-derived squalane, and soothing cica to neutralize the red patches around my nose and mouth. The zinc-based formula goes on super-smooth, and because it’s noncomedogenic, I don’t have to worry about breakouts. I love that the color-correcting green tint allows me to go without concealer on areas where I’m the most red.

Both Strategist columnist Chris Black and cookbook author Claire Saffitz use this 100 percent mineral sunscreen and say it has an ultrasmooth texture that disappears into skin without leaving residue. It’s also on our list of the best facial sunscreens because it’s full of antioxidants and photolyase enzymes, which Francesca Fusco of Wexler Dermatology says have “been shown to reverse the specific DNA mutations caused by ultraviolet [light].” Corey L. Hartman, the founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology, frequently recommends this sunscreen, which he says works well for all skin types and most skin tones because it doesn’t leave a white or iridescent cast. If it doesn’t disappear completely, Robinson recommends using the tinted mineral formula instead.

If you’re looking for a more affordable sunscreen that can still combat signs of aging, look no further than Dune’s The Mineral Melt. The formula has brightening and firming capabilities thanks to ingredients such as peptides, known to stimulate the skin to make collagen, plus vitamin E to reduce the appearance of UV damage. When I tested this product, I loved how velvety and thin it felt, blending into my skin without any greasy or white residue. According to the brand, the lightweight formula uses micro-dispersion technology, which is the reason it’s so sheer and fast absorbing despite containing both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (which often leave a strong white cast on skin). And because it’s noncomedogenic, it hasn’t caused any breakouts, even when I’m wearing it under my makeup.

Natural sunscreen is known for leaving a white cast and can be particularly tricky for those with darker skin tones as mineral filters often appear chunky and have a purplish-white tint. However, in recent years, Denton-Hurst says, “mineral particles have gotten smaller, producing a crop of mineral sunscreens that rival the look and feel of their chemical counterparts.”Dr. Melanie Palm, a dermatologist, likes this one from Colorescience, which she notes uses “extremely small particle zinc.” This makes it completely transparent, says Palm, even on very deep skin tones. She also likes mineral options for acne-prone skin in particular. “Zinc oxide acts as an anti-inflammatory, does not aggravate acne, and perhaps helps it,” she says.Although it’s designed for the face, Palm recommends it for all over. “It offers beautiful coverage and is lightly moisturizing,” she says.

In our roundup of the best moisturizers with SPF, this is our top-rated mineral option recommended by Dr. Rachel Westbay, a dermatologist at Marmur Medical. “It has a creamy texture that melts into skin without leaving it feeling greasy and, although it’s a mineral-based formula, it doesn’t leave behind a white cast,” she says. Made with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, this lotion contains many skin-care ingredients, such as niacinamide to soften fine lines, vitamin C to brighten, and an antioxidant blend to defend against environmental pollutants. As a Paula’s Choice devotee, I apply this to my face and neck each morning after cleansing and can attest to its weightless and nongreasy finish. Once it dries, my skin appears fresher and more awake, and I can easily layer my foundation on top.

I’ve been testing this mineral-based skin tint for several months. It blends into my skin so effortlessly, and I love that it contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate, aloe to soothe, and licorice extract to brighten and improve uneven skin tone. Formulated with tinted zinc-oxide sunscreen, it applies dewy and seamlessly and is never chalky or clumpy. The texture is very skinlike, but I appreciate that it can be easily layered over with blush and powder foundation.

Mineral sunscreens were a no-go for Strategist contributor Mbiye Kasonga until she discovered this tinted formula from RMS Beauty. Kasonga says the coppery color and slight shimmer in the SuperNatural Radiance Serum are key to helping the zinc oxide blend into skin without a hint of white cast. “For me, the sunscreen looks best when I layer it over moisturizer as a final step in my morning skin-care routine,” she says, adding that it’s the first mineral sunscreen she can wear with confidence.

For a mineral sunscreen that can be applied to the body, Denton-Hurst recommends this EltaMD one, which uses zinc and titanium dioxide to protect the skin from UV rays. It’s formulated for both face and body and contains vitamin C for additional protection through antioxidants. “As with lots of mineral sunscreens, there’s a potential for a white cast, so I’d recommend patch testing before slathering it all over,” Denton-Hurst writes.

For less than half the price of the EltaMD above, this Blue Lizard comes highly recommended by Andrew Kelly, aesthetician and founder of Skin by ASK. It’s a solid mineral sunscreen that you can find at any drugstore in a pinch, and Kelly likes Blue Lizard because it has no chemicals, fragrances, or commonly known irritants. Plus, the the cap color changes to blue in harmful UV light to remind you to apply. Because it’s a thick mineral sunscreen that doesn’t budge on the skin, Kelly loves Blue Lizard for athletes who sweat out in the sun for hours.

According to Dr. Jennifer Stein, a dermatologist at NYU Langone Health, “A stick is a good way to get a sunscreen that doesn’t run as much,” which is ideal for exercising outdoors or for activities that lead to heavy sweating. Dr. Marnie Nussbaum suggests this stick from Supergoop!, which is “mineral-based and doesn’t tend to run.” It also contains olive-fruit extract, so it’s moisturizing.

Over the years, dermatologists have recommended liquid sunscreens from Australian brand Blue Lizard to us — but when we spoke to experts about the best sweatproof sunscreen, this stick form was recommended by Dr. Hadley King.She told us mineral sunscreens in a solid formulation work better because they tend to apply thicker, meaning they “provide good coverage and don’t come off easily with sweat.” King likes that this one is water resistant for 80 minutes, goes on clear, and contains aloe vera, shea butter, sunflower-seed oil, and vitamin E to nourish the skin. Plus it’s non-comedogenic and doesn’t contain parabens or fragrances.

For a swimmer-friendly formula, consider SkinCeuticals’s physical sunscreen, which is water resistant for up to 40 minutes. Dermatologist Dr. Jared Jagdeo, the medical director of Ever/Body, recommends this tinted SPF 50 sunscreen because, as he says, it features “zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, natural minerals that protect skin from ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light in our environment.” Nussbaum is another fan, noting that it easily absorbs into the skin without leaving behind a greasy feel.

I’ve been testing this Prequel sunscreen for a few months now, and I love how it feels lightweight on my skin and has an airy, soft texture. It goes onto my skin smoothly, and its peachy hue offsets the ashy tone of mineral filters, leaving hardly any white cast. It’s formulated with zinc oxide and contains bisabolol plus centella asiatica to reduce the appearance of redness. The only drawback is that it has pilled when layered over other skin-care products, but I don’t mind so long as I’m using a product that ensures strong UVB and UVA protection. To minimize pilliness, I’ve found that using small amounts at a time and lightly patting them onto the skin also helps. The formula is fragrance free and noncomedogenic.

Colorescience’s brush-on formula can be used under or over makeup, which is why it’s our favorite powder in our roundup of the best sunscreens. Dr. Sonia Batra, a dermatologist and the co-host of The Doctors, keeps a tube in her car for reapplications to her face, décolletage, and the back of her hands. “I love that it can be brushed over your skin without making palms or fingertips messy,” she says. “It also helps reduce shine on a hot day.” Dermatologist Dr. Caren Campbell says that, along with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, iron oxide (often found in tinted mineral sunscreen) helps further block harmful UVA and UVB rays. It’s also one of the things Dr. Pimple Popper can’t live without because “it’s easy to put on and reapply throughout the day.” It’s available in four different shades — ranging from fair to deep — so you can choose one that best matches your skin tone.

Unlike the other natural sunscreens on this list, this is an SPF serum, meaning it provides broad-spectrum protection while also strengthening the skin barrier. The newly launched formula from Kora Organics, Miranda Kerr’s skin-care line, contains non-nano zinc oxide and skin-nourishing ingredients, including noni extract, rosehip oil, and chia-seed oil. I tested the Silky Sun Drops for over a month and loved to apply it as the last step in my skin-care routine, since the nonsticky formula goes on smoothly without any white cast. The handy dropper also makes it easy to dispense the perfect amount of coverage each time.

For a mineral lip balm, consider this tinted one, which contains zinc oxide and has SPF-30 protection. Denton-Hurst says the consistency is thicker-feeling and less glossy, “reminding me of the Laneige Lip Balm,” she says. Her only caveat is the color is pretty concentrated: “It isn’t as sheer as the Naturium balm, for example, which is moreso a wash of color, but not as pigmented as a lipstick.” It comes in three shades —nude, pink, and coral.

When we wrote about the best sunscreens for kids and babies, Lindsey Bordone, an assistant professor of dermatology at the Columbia University Medical Center, recommended this specific brand from Neutrogena, which is formulated for babies. It features a broad-spectrum SPF 50 shield against UVA and UVB rays, and is dermatologist tested, water resistant, and hypoallergenic. (And we have some expert-approved sun-protective clothing to be used in tandem.)

Many experts told us that, like babies, kids should use mineral sunscreens that are hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested. If you’re looking for a kid-specific sunscreen, senior editor Simone Kitchens recommends this “creamy and blendable” one from Badger. “It’s zinc-based mineral and blends in superfast, because I don’t have a ton of time before she runs off,” Kitchens says. The formula also contains soothing chamomile and calendula plus sunflower oil and vitamin E to nourish sensitive skin.