Chalky Mineral Sunscreens Are Kinda a Thing of the Past—These 12 Formulas Are Proof

Ideally, my skin always looks so glowy that Katy Perry could see me from space in the 11 minutes she was up there. And this mineral sunscreen could probably do it. Unlike the original chemical-based Supergoop Glowscreen, this mica-infused formula gives my skin a bronze sheen rather than coating it in shimmer. And because it’s got some dimethicone, I find it a bit blurring too.

One caveat: Calling these “drops” feels mildly wrong, IMO, because the formula is too rich to be blended into other products, like your moisturizer or foundation (and FWIW, derms don’t recommend mixing your sunscreen anyway). But they do give me the same glow as many of my bronzing drops, so I’m fine with it.

✨ Try it if: You wanna look seriously glowy but not greasy or shiny

• Key ingredients: Dimethicone, strawberry oil
• Active ingredient: Zinc oxide (15.11%)
• SPF level: 40
• White cast? None (comes in two tinted shades)

Notes from the Cosmo team: “I’m genuinely so obsessed with this formula, I can’t stop wearing it. It makes my skin look so good that I’ve considered wearing it under concealer during a night out when I don’t even need SPF.” —BG

Lazy ppl, rejoice, because this sunscreen doubles as a plumping and smoothing moisturizer, all in one (incredibly chic, I’ll add) bottle. Loaded with collagen-boosting peptides, smoothing and soothing niacinamide, hydrating squalane and sea buckthorn oil, this cream is essentially just like many of our fave nourishing anti-aging moisturizers plus SPF 30 to further protect your skin. Because remember: The best ingredient to stave off wrinkles and fine lines is SPF 30 or higher.

✨ Try it if: You want a one-and-done moisturizer and SPF formula that helps nourish your skin while protecting

• Key ingredients: Peptides, squalane, niacinamide, sea buckthorn oil
• Active ingredient: Zinc oxide (15%)
• SPF level: 30
• White cast? None

Notes from the Cosmo team: “I already know I’m going to live in this sunscreen come summer 2025. It smoothes onto my skin with zero residue and completely soaks in, leaving my skin feeling hydrated and soft.” —BG

I’ve been a stan of the OG Neutrogena Ultra Sheer formulas forever, so I was hella intrigued to see how they could turn that iconic cream into a mineral SPF. Turns out, these are a really thin consistency liquid—almost like sunscreen drops—that blend out into practically nothing as I keep rubbing it in. There is a slight white cast at first, but it eventually blends out and matches my skin. Because this is so lightweight, I wore it a ton at Coachella (Neutrogena is the SPF partner for both weekends, btw) because it was so freakin’ hot outside.

✨ Try it if: You want a one-and-done moisturizer and SPF formula that helps nourish your skin while protecting

• Key ingredients: Peptides, squalane, niacinamide, sea buckthorn oil
• Active ingredient: Zinc oxide (15%)
• SPF level: 30
• White cast? None

Notes from the Cosmo team: “It is a huge win that these are less than $20 and can be found at practically any drugstore, Target, CVS, wherever. Because it performs as well as so many of my high-end favorites: feels lightweight as hell, protects my skin with a whopping SPF 70, and blends out without a strong white cast.”
—BG

Sometimes—just sometimes!—I simply want an SPF that protects my skin and doesn’t add a tint or radiant finish. Like gimme the basics, baby. And my answer to those such days is this untinted mineral sunscreen from Lightsaver. Developed by dermatologist David Kim, MD, this formula has a lightweight, almost-whipped consistency that immediately sinks into my skin—no white cast, no residue, no glow, no nothin’. And that’s exactly how I like it! But don’t worry if the lack of glow makes your dry skin crack just thinking about it—the formula’s squalane adds some hydration, while niacinamide helps soothe skin.

✨ Try it if: You have medium to deep skin, since there’s no white cast once you blend this in (!!!)

• Key ingredients: Niacinamide, squalane, lingonberry (antioxidant)
• Active ingredient: Zinc oxide
• SPF Level: 33
• White cast? None (and also comes in a tinted version)

Notes from the Cosmo team: “The texture is amazing—light and fluffy so it absorbs quickly with no greasy residue. And with just a little bit of rubbing, any white or gray cast disappears to reveal a subtle sheen.” —LB

This clean mineral SPF 32 from Cocokind is my go-to recommendation for anyone looking for a mineral sunscreen. It uses a whopping 21 percent zinc oxide filter to protect your skin from the sun (FYI, this is v high), so it does look white and thick when I squeeze it into my palm. But after using some elbow grease to rub it in, I’m left with a slightly glowy finish that doesn’t feel tacky and blends out without a white cast. It’s also chock-full of moisturizing oils and soothing aloe vera, which I <3.

✨ Try it if: You’re new to mineral sunscreen and don't mind blending in a little bit

• Active ingredient: Zinc oxide (21%)
• Key ingredients: Argan oil, aloe, sunflower seed oil
• SPF level: 32
• White cast? None, so long as you take your time blending in

Notes from the Cosmo team: “This clean SPF is so easy to use that I just always have one on hand when I need a trusty mineral sunscreen. It sinks in quickly and makes my skin look soft and glowy but not greasy.” —BG

The O.G. Unseen Sunscreen is a hero at Team Cosmo (legit, we've got it on nearly every "best of" sunscreen list we've written). So I was v intrigued when they launched this mineral version. This one has a cream, not gel, texture that looks white when I squeeze it out of the tube, but as I blend it in, the white dissipates into my skin. It still gives me that matte, blurred finish that I love under makeup so much, just in a slightly heavier texture. But IMO, the zinc-infused formula is actually fab for my oily, acne-prone skin, since zinc is a powerful anti-inflammatory that can help regulate sebum production.

✨ Try it if: You like a matte, smooth finish from your sunscreen

• Key ingredients: Dimethicone, bamboo extract
• Active ingredient: Zinc oxide (21%)
• SPF Level: 40
• White cast? Might have a slight cast on very-deep skin tones, but can be blended out for fair to tan skin

Notes from the Cosmo team: "I'm actually not a huge fan of the original Unseen Sunscreen—I don't love that classic silicone-y texture—but I love the idea of an SPF that looks invisible once I put it on. This one is so much better for me, both because the mineral filters don't irritate my acne and because it's got a soft-matte finish that blurs my skin without feeling like I have anything on." — BG

"My makeup/morning routine changed for the better after I started using these Summer Fridays ShadeDrops," says former associate shopping editor Daisy Maldonado. It's basically a second defense against dry skin, considering how damn hydrating it is. We're talking squalane, shea butter, vitamin E—all of which help lock in moisture too to prevent water loss. Because of this, it makes skin look very healthy and radiant, especially under makeup.

✨ Try it if: You like a moisturizing, rich sunscreen that gives your skin a dewy finish

• Key ingredients: Squalane, vitamin E, shea butter, bisabolol
• Active ingredient: Zinc oxide (9.4%)
• SPF level: 30
• White cast? Might have a slight cast on very deep skin tones, but has a slight, sheer tint to help counteract it on light to tan skin

Notes from the Cosmo team: "The milky formula of this serum quickly became a fave of mine because of how well it melts into the skin with no white cast. Catch me wearing this on its own alllll summer." —Daisy Maldonado, former associate shopping editor

Yoooo, this tinted mineral SPF is an award winner... A Cosmo Holy Grail Award winner, that is. But it's not just approved by our team—dermatologists freakin' swear by EltaMD. Truly, I have yet to meet one who didn't sing the praises of their gentle, effective formulas, including this new mineral option. It offers a sheer, universal tint to help even out some discoloration on your face, but still doesn't feel heavy or cakey.

✨ Try it if: You're all about a Cosmo editor/derm recommendation and/or love a lightweight, sheer tinted formula

• Key ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid
• Active ingredient: Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
• SPF Level: 50
• White cast? Possibly on deep skin, since the tint only comes in one medium shade (FWIW, if you're okay with a hybrid chemical/mineral formula, the new EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Sunscreen comes in two shades and our beauty editor-at-large Julee Wilson swears by it)

Notes from the Cosmo team: “This 4-in-1 formula has majorly streamlined my mornings. A few pumps provide antioxidant protection, thanks to vitamin C and E, hydration courtesy of hyaluronic acid, and UV damage protection with zinc-based SPF." – Lauren Balsamo, beauty director

Confession: I wasn't all that excited to try these (I'm a skeptic about mineral sunscreens that claim to be lightweight—because, like, how?). But then I swatched it at Sephora and immediately got a tube and started dousing myself in it. The thin, liquid consistency is white when I drip a few drops in my palm, but it immediately disappears into my skin with a light hydrated, soft finish. Winnie Harlow (model extraordinaire and founder of Cay Skin) made a winner with these bbs.

✨ Try it if: You like a lightweight, barely there SPF

• Key ingredients: Squalane, sea moss, argan oil
• Active ingredient: Zinc oxide (9.4%)
• SPF Level: 30
• White cast? None

Notes from the Cosmo team: "Not all sunscreens have to feel like sunscreen, apparently, because this SPF 30 legit is like patting on a serum. It blends out to nothing and absorbs instantly, so it works so well under makeup." — BG

Let's be real: Most tinted sunscreen formulas come in one or two light shades that would simply never work on deep skin. But not this Live Tinted option. It comes in a whopping 10 shades that range from fair to deep. The coverage is minimal (sheer to medium, if you really build it up), but it's perf to massage over my skin with my fingers, and then dab on concealer wherever I want more opacity. And the glow? Unmatched.

✨ Try it if: You wanna combine your foundation and sunscreen step

• Key ingredients: Allantoin, seabuckthorn oil, bisabolol
• Active ingredient: Zinc oxide (9.5%)
• SPF Level: 50
• White cast? None (tinted formula)

Notes from the Cosmo team: "I look like a radiant, dewy goddess when I've got this on—so much so that I usually tap on a little setting powder in my T-zone to keep oil at bay." — BG

This itsy-bitsy sunscreen stick is the GOAT for reapplying when you're gonna be outside all day. It doesn't tug at my skin as I'm rubbing it on (key, considering mineral formulas are usually not as glide-y), and once I rub it in, it just adds a sheen but no white cast or sticky residue. It's all thanks to a blend of argan oil, sunflower seed wax, and shea butter in the formula that make it go on hella smooth. Easy-peazy, SPF stickzy. Or however the saying goes.

✨ Try it if: You need an easy method to reapply SPF throughout the day

• Key ingredients: Shea butter, sunflower seed wax, argan oil
• Active ingredient: Zinc oxide (23.8%)
• SPF level: 50
• White cast? None on light to tan skin, but might need to be massaged in a bit on deep skin

Notes from the Cosmo team: "I never, ever, ever thought I would find a mineral SPF stick that wouldn't be hard as hell to roll across my skin. But this proved me wrong. The stick just glides over my nose, cheekbones, forehead, shoulders—you name it—and doesn't even require any blending in." — BG