Not all sunscreens are created equal — while most skin care experts say wearing sunscreen every day is essential to help reduce the potential for sunburns and skin cancer (as well as wrinkles and other signs of aging), some dermatologists favor mineral sunscreen over chemical sunscreen. The reason: Unlike chemical sunscreens, mineral sunscreens are naturally broad spectrum, meaning they offer protection against UVA and UVB rays as a baseline, no matter which brand or variation you buy, says Dr. Anthony Rossi, a board-certified dermatologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
“Both UVA and UVB rays come from the sun and cause DNA mutations that are signatures in skin cancers and skin aging,” says Rossi.
Best lightweight$undefined$42.00
The difference between mineral and chemical sunscreen
While mineral and chemical sunscreens are both proven to be “safe and effective in reducing short- and long-term sun damage and skin cancer,” the difference is how they protect you, says Dr. Deborah Spey, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group. Below are some more details about the difference between mineral and chemical sunscreens:
- Mineral sunscreen, sometimes referred to as a physical blocker or physical sunscreen, contains either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (and sometimes both). The sunscreen sits on top of the skin and physically shields it from harmful UV rays, says Dr. Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist. Depending on the concentration of the zinc oxide as well as the particle size of the mineral, some of these sunscreens can leave behind a white cast on your skin, says Rossi.
- Chemical sunscreen typically contains a combination of as many as six chemicals — oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene and homosalate — that penetrate the skin to absorb UV rays like a sponge, according to our experts.
- Mineral-based sunscreens, like Blue Lizard Sport Mineral-Based Sunscreen Lotion, are a third type on the market. Mineral-based sunscreens contain both mineral and chemical active ingredients.
How we picked the best mineral sunscreens
You can find mineral sunscreens in lotion, oil, stick, spray and brush form—all contain zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide that shield skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. But that’s where the similarity ends. Depending on the brand you choose, some can be drying or leave a white cast on your skin, while others may clog your pores because they contain mineral oil or petroleum-based products, according to the dermatologists we spoke to.
Finding a mineral sunscreen without a white cast can be especially challenging for those with darker skin. We can’t guarantee every pick won’t leave a white cast, but we’ve included reviewer comments and some of our staff’s favorite melanin-friendly options to help narrow your choices. Our experts also recommend looking for the following features, which we kept in mind when compiling this list:
- SPF of at least 30
- Contain zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide as the only active ingredients
- Water resistant for 40 minutes or more
Related
Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter.
The best mineral sunscreens in 2025
Below, we rounded up dermatologist-recommended mineral sunscreens, plus NBC Select staff favorites from our extensive skin care coverage. We also included some highly rated options that align with our experts’ guidance.
Best overall:
NBC Select associate SEO reporter Ashley Morris, initially skeptical of this sunscreen’s “universal tint” claim, was pleasantly surprised after wearing it. “I can’t say for sure if the tint is universal, but I do know that I didn’t have any issue with a white cast, and it blended really well into my skin,” she says. The sunscreen is compatible with all skin types, and uses Vitamin C to help even skin tone and prebiotics to keep the skin’s moisture barrier intact, according to the brand. Morris also loves that she can wear this sunscreen all day without the threat of greasy residue on her already oily skin. “Even when I can feel my skin getting oilier, the sunscreen stays intact — the most I’ll ever get is a soft, slightly sweaty glow, and it also works great under my makeup,” she says.
Active ingredients: zinc oxide, vitamin C, prebiotics | SPF: 30 | Hydrating: yes | Sheer: yes | Water resistance: 40 minutes
Best for darker skin tones:
Another favorite of Morris’, this sunscreen from Tatcha has a hydrating formula that helps to even skin tone and fine lines, according to the brand. It uses hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to help your skin retain moisture, and silk extract to increase radiance and address texture. “I love that the formula is so lightweight, it basically melts into my skin,” she says. However, she recommends this as an everyday option for those with normal to dry skin, while those with oilier skin may want to use it more occasionally. “I like to use this on days where I know I won’t be sweating or doing too much activity, because it does get slightly greasy after a few hours.” It also doesn’t leave a white cast, in her experience.
Active ingredients: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide | SPF: 50 | Hydrating: yes | Sheer: yes | Water resistance: 80 minutes
Best for color correcting:
Unsun is one of the best sunscreens for darker skin tones because it contains iron oxides, which help minimize a white cast, says King. Reviewers also agree, saying that the formula blends well without leaving a white tint on darker skin. This tinted sunscreen is a primer and color corrector in one, and the combination of vitamin E, vitamin C, olive oil, aloe vera and lactic acid helps hydrate the skin, according to the brand.
Active ingredients: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide | SPF: 30 | Hydrating: yes | Sheer: yes | Water resistance: 80 minutes
Best for mature skin:
Isdin’s sunscreen products are some of Spey’s favorites because they have an “innovative ingredient called DNA Repairsomes, an enzyme derived from plankton that repairs existing sun damage that is in the cells of your DNA,” she says. The ultralight SPF uses peptides and antioxidants to minimize signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles, says Spey. It also has vitamin E to moisturize the skin, according to the brand. However, reviewers with lighter skin tones say the sunscreen’s tint leaves them slightly orange.
Active ingredient: zinc oxide | SPF: 50+ | Hydrating: yes | Sheer: yes | Water resistance: 40 minutes
Best tinted:
This mineral sunscreen contains antioxidants to help protect the skin from pollution, infrared radiation and blue light, says King, who says she wears it daily because it’s lightweight, hydrating and doesn’t leave behind any white residue, in her experience. It also contains a hyaluronic acid booster for hydration and is ideal for all skin types and tones, according to the brand.
Active ingredients: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide | SPF: 36 | Hydrating: yes | Sheer: yes | Water resistance: 40 minutes
Best hydrating:
This sunscreen’s lightweight formula goes on sheer and is hydrating enough to replace your daily moisturizer, according to the brand. It also protects the skin from free radicals and blue light and helps improve the appearance of fine lines thanks to ingredients like aloe, jojoba, apple extract, squalene and glycerin, according to Brush On Block. King suggests following up throughout the day with the brand’s mineral powder sunscreen, which you can apply right over your makeup and leaves you with a matte finish, she says.
Active ingredients: zinc oxide | SPF: 50 | Hydrating: yes | Sheer: yes | Water resistance: 80 minutes
Best lightweight:
This tinted mineral sunscreen from reader-favorite brand SkinCeuticals is “weightless, almost watery,” says Spey. This sunscreen is her favorite because of its “invisible protection,” she says. It protects your skin without leaving a white cast and is made of antioxidant-rich plankton, which Spey says can enhance the skin’s natural defenses against the sun, and it’s noncomedogenic, meaning it’s free of any oils that can clog pores or aggravate acne, according to the brand. SkinCeuticals also has a mineral SPF for the delicate eyelid area.
Active ingredients: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide | SPF: 50 | Hydrating: yes | Sheer: yes | Water resistance: 40 minutes
Best for acne-prone skin:
This mineral sunscreen is a great option for those with sensitive skin since it’s oil free, says King. It protects against blue light, pollution and infrared radiation, and you can use it as a primer under makeup or in place of a light foundation, according to the brand. This sunscreen also contains niacinamide to help maintain and improve your skin’s moisture barrier and help with inflammation, says Rossi.
Active ingredients: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide | SPF: 30 | Hydrating: yes | Sheer: yes | Water resistance: 80 minutes
Best for dry skin:
This moisturizing mineral sunscreen is best suited for normal to dry skin and has ingredients like glycerin, green tea extract, vitamin C and peptides to hydrate and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, according to the brand. Additionally, the iron oxides found in this formula offer a “self‐adjusting universal tint” that should match most skin tones, according to the brand (although some reviewers say it leaves behind a slight white sheen).
Active ingredients: zinc oxide | SPF: 45 | Hydrating: yes | Sheer: yes | Water resistance: 40 minutes
Best fragrance-free:
Featured in our guide to the best reef-safe sunscreens, Blue Lizard’s cream lotion is free of skin-irritating fragrances and parabens, according to the company, which dermatologists say is helpful to those with sensitive skin. It has hyaluronic acid for hydration, along with antioxidants like green tea extract and caffeine to improve your skin’s texture and appearance. Blue Lizard products come with patented bottles and caps that turn blue in sunlight to remind you to put on sunscreen, according to the brand. However, reviewers say the product may leave a white cast on darker skin.
Active ingredients: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide | SPF: 50+ | Hydrating: yes | Sheer: no | Water resistance: 80 minutes
Best for improving texture:
Like many other options on our list, this mineral sunscreen has niacinamide, which helps to improve skin tone and texture, according to the brand. It also protects against infrared radiation, which can lead to hyperpigmentation, says King. The brand also makes a stick version, which is convenient if you’re exercising outdoors since it is less likely to run into your eyes, she says. With a lightweight and sheer formula, this sunscreen works for all skin types and tones, too, according to the brand.
Active ingredients: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide | SPF: 50 | Hydrating: yes | Sheer: yes | Water resistance: 40 minutes
Best for oily skin:
This lavender-scented, non-greasy sunscreen blends in easily and doesn’t leave behind a white cast, says King. It’s ideal for all skin types and is noncomedogenic, which means it won’t clog pores. Ingredients include antioxidants like blueberry, acai and green tea extracts to help brighten the skin and prevent fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots, along with Rosa canina fruit oil to help control excess oil and minimize the appearance of pores, according to the brand.
Active ingredients: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide | SPF: 30 | Hydrating: yes | Sheer: yes | Water resistance: 80 minutes
Related
How to shop for a mineral sunscreen
When shopping for a mineral sunscreen, you should first know your skin type, according to our experts. Below are some additional factors to consider when shopping:
- Be sure the label says “mineral sunscreen” and not “mineral-based,” which means it’s a combination of mineral and chemical ingredients.
- Opt for a skin protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, which protects against 97% of the sun’s damaging rays, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
- Make sure that the only active ingredients are zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide, which are two naturally occurring minerals that sit on top of your skin to create a barrier to deflect the sun’s UVA and UVB rays.
- Opt for products with a minimal amount of parabens such as methylparaben and propylparaben, which can cause irritation and allergies.
- Look for “noncomedogenic” on the label, especially if you’re acne-prone. Noncomedogenic formulas have no mineral oil or petroleum-containing products that tend to clog or block pores.
- Look for moisturizing ingredients, such as vitamin E, vitamin C, olive oil, aloe vera and hyaluronic acid to keep your skin hydrated.
- Opt for a sunscreen that has a water resistance of at least 40 minutes if you will be working outdoors or plan to swim.
- Look for a sheer formula that won’t leave a white chalky residue on your skin.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Anthony Rossi is a board-certified dermatologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He specializes in Mohs micrographic surgery and other dermatologic surgeries for the treatment of skin cancers.
- Dr. Hadley King is a board-certified dermatologist at Dr. Hadley King Dermatology and a clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.
- Dr. Deborah Spey is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Livingston, NJ.
Why trust NBC Select?
Barbara Booth is a former editor at NBC Select who has published several guides on self care and beauty products, including best under-eye patches, best sleep products and the best Amazon fitness products. Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter for NBC Select, covering skin care and wellness topics like sunscreens for dark skin and acne spot treatments. For this piece, Barbara interviewed three dermatologists to get expert-recommended mineral sunscreens and researched dozens of top-rated options on the market that align with expert guidance.
Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
