I know I don’t have to drone on about the importance of wearing sunscreen every day. But I will. Because 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70, and having 5 or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Any sunscreen that you’ll consistently use is good. But it’s true: Dermatologists, by and large, recommend mineral sunscreen over chemical formulas, especially if you have sensitive skin or are pregnant. “With mineral sunscreens, you really cut down the potential for any negative reaction,” dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, previously told Cosmo.
Mineral SPF protects your skin by reflecting UV light on skin’s surface as opposed to chemical sunscreens, which sink into skin and absorb the light—which can be irritating for some skin types. Not to mention, the star of the show is usually zinc, which is anti-inflammatory all on its own to help soothe skin whether you’ve got breakouts, eczema, keratosis pilaris, or rosacea.
But I just was never buying it. Literally! I can't handle thick, goopy products, and I absolutely refuse to spend my precious time blending out a cream that turns my face ghostly. Today, though, brands have developed formulations that feel lightweight and gentle, even without the chalky white cast.
I’ve been testing them nonstop for the last few months, including brand-new picks and old favorites loved by dermatologists, to narrow down exactly which formulas are worth your time. And I polled Cosmo’s beauty director Lauren Balsamo and beauty editor-at-large Julee Wilson for their favorites too.
The best mineral sunscreens, tested by Cosmo editors:
Best Tinted Mineral Sunscreen
Merit The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45
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Keep reading for all of my picks, including some favorites from other Cosmo testers with before-and-afters and texture shots for your viewing pleasure. Now, just sit back, relax, and decide which mineral sunscreen you’re gonna try (dw, we’ve got a full guide to help you below).
EltaMD UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50
EltaMD UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50
| Key ingredients | Niacinamide, bisabolol, vitamin E |
| Active ingredient | Zinc oxide, ctinoxate |
In general, mineral sunscreen over chemical formulas is better for acne, according to dermatologists. Zinc itself is anti-inflammatory, whereas chemical filters can potentially aggravate breakouts. But this new one from EltaMD (which also is considered the #1 most dermatologist-recommended brand for sunscreen anyway) takes anti-acne to a whole new level. For zit-fighting power, there’s soothing bisabolol and oil-controlling niacinamide inside. This cream is completely clear as I massage it into my skin and sinks in on contact. (You’ll see in the video below, I barely even had to rub it in.)
One thing I will say… it isn’t 100 percent mineral. So if you’re totally anti-chemical sunscreen, this isn’t for you. But even our beauty director Lauren Balsamo, who scoffs at practically every chemical SPF that crosses her desk, is in love with this and uses it consistently. “After six weeks of daily use (with no other routine changes), my skin genuinely looks clearer and brighter,” she says. “The texture is super lightweight and layers well, although I do need a moisturizer underneath since it’s slightly less hydrating than the original.”
Merit The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45
| Key ingredients | Vitamin E |
| Active ingredient | Zinc oxide |
A makeup brand making sunscreen would normally make me roll my eyes. But in this case, it’s actually genius. Tinted sunscreens rarely offer up a shade range that’s actually suitable for a wide range of skin tones, usually falling short for medium to deep tones or offering next-to-nothing for very-fair skin. But Merit used its makeup expertise for good here, providing a medium-coverage, tinted sunscreen (nope, not a skin tint or foundation with SPF) that actually comes in 20 shades that range in undertone and depth.
I apply it with my fingers usually, but it works well with a brush too for more coverage. The creamy tint glides over my skin and smooths skin texture as it imparts a glowy finish. The best part is that it feels good as I’m wearing it, even in super hot weather when I usually am dying to take off heavy makeup.
Skinceuticals Future Mineral UV Defense SPF 50
| Key ingredients | Niacinamide, panthenol, beta-glucan, cellulose |
| Active ingredient | Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide |
Anti-aging sunscreen is kind of a double whammy if you think about it, considering that the best tool we have against premature wrinkles is using SPF daily. But this Skinceuticals sunscreen takes it a step further. Winner of a Cosmo Holy Grail Beauty Award for 2026, this mineral formula is packed with niacinamide to improve skin texture and tone, as well as beta-glucan, cellulose, and panthenol to nourish skin.
“With a normal amount of blending, it sets to an invisible (and slightly glowy) finish on all skin tones,” says Balsamo, who tested this product for months for our beauty awards. “I’ve asked friends with fair and deep skin tones to try the formula on their own skin, and they all said the same thing: It wears more like a lightweight face moisturizer than a sunscreen. And it doesn’t rely on any tint to negate the white, chalky effect. SkinCeuticals’ mineral technology is good enough without it.”
Bloomeffects Tulipscreen Dew Serum SPF 50
Bloomeffects Tulipscreen Dew Serum SPF 50
| Key ingredients | Dutch tulip complex, vitamin C, shiitake mushroom, vitamin E, allantoin, hyaluronic acid |
| Active ingredient | Non-nano zinc |
“As someone with deeper skin, I approach mineral sunscreen with caution because nobody has time for a chalky gray cast,” says Wilson. “But this SPF pleasantly surprised me. The bronze tint melts beautifully into my skin, giving me a healthy, radiant glow instead of that dreaded ashy finish. It feels lightweight, hydrating, and layers seamlessly under makeup without pilling. I love that it delivers SPF 50 protection while also making my skin look even, fresh, and glowy throughout the day.
Prequel Sun Barrier Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Prequel Sun Barrier Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
| Key ingredients | Bisabolol, antioxidants, calendula, centella asiatica |
| Active ingredients | Zinc oxide, |
Your first defense against irritation is switching to mineral sunscreen. Full stop. But why don’t you give this one a shot first? It’s formulated with 18 percent zinc oxide, a pretty powerful amount to not only protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays, but also calm down irritation. There’s also bisabolol and antioxidants, and it leaves a gorgeous glowy sheen on skin that’s weightless and non-sticky. Such is the case with every formula on this list; there’s also no white cast.
Good Weather Skin All-Over Sun Milk SPF 50
Good Weather Skin All-Over Sun Milk SPF 50
| Key ingredients | Squalane, sea buckthorn, glycerin |
| Active ingredients | Zinc oxide |
“Tbh, I usually brace myself before trying a new mineral sunscreen because deeper skin and white cast do not mix,” says Wilson. “But this All-Over Sun Milk just gets it. The slightly golden tint blends in so effortlessly and leaves my skin looking glowy, moisturized, and alive (not gray or greasy). It feels super light on my skin, layers nicely, and honestly gives luxe skincare more than traditional SPF. This is the kind of sunscreen that makes you actually want to wear sunscreen every day.”
Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily Mineral Milk Sunscreen
Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily Mineral Milk Sunscreen
| Key ingredients | Vitamin E, vitamin C, ectoin, ceramides, glycerin |
| Active ingredient | Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide |
I’m mega impressed by this new mineral SPF from Summer Fridays. In the summer, I’m fine with a glow on my skin, especially if sunscreen is all I’ll be wearing. And this delivers. It makes my skin look plump, fresh, and dewy—but it doesn’t feel heavy either, a feat for something with such a strong sheen. This is thanks to the lightweight construction and where the whole “mineral milk” thing comes in. The consistency is similar to a milky essence or toner, which really helps it spread evenly across my skin. But it provides the most gorgeous glow, all while protecting my face.
Peach & Lily Sun Cover Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
Peach & Lily Sun Cover Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
| Key ingredients | Niacinamide, squalane, xylitol, CoQ10, hyaluronic acid |
| Active ingredient | Zinc oxide |
Buuut I do have oily skin, so I also like a formula on hand for under makeup that won’t make me shiny. This one has a cream texture (not gel, like many mattifying SPFs) that looks yellow when I squeeze it out of the tube, but as I blend it in, the color entirely dissipates into my skin. It still gives me that matte, blurred finish that I love under makeup so much, but it doesn’t strip my skin of all its moisture either. There’s also a lot of zinc in here (15.98 percent, to be exact), which is fab for oily skin because it can help regulate sebum production.
Naturium Dew-Glow Moisturizer Mineral SPF 50
| Key ingredients | Niacinamide, vitamin C, castor oil. coconut oil esters, squalane, bisabolol |
| Active ingredients | Zinc oxide |
Who has time to do both moisturizer and sunscreen? Not me. Instead, I like a hydrating cream that also doubles as mineral sunscreen, á la this affordable pick from Naturium. It’s lowkey heavy, which is fantastic for someone with dry skin who relies on a layered approach in the morning to get their skin to feel normal. For me, it’s a bit too much for every day—I have acne-prone, combination skin—but when my skin is crying for nourishment, this serves that purpose plus sun protection.
OSEA Marine Screen SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen
OSEA Marine Screen SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen
| Key ingredients | Undaria seaweed, hyaluronic acid |
| Active ingredients | Zinc oxide |
“Even though it’s got SPF 50 (courtesy of 20 percent zinc oxide), this mineral SPF functions and feels more like a glowy moisturizer than a mineral sunscreen,” says Balsamo, who’s been testing this for a few weeks and has fully fallen in love. “I used it on my face, neck, and chest every day on a recent lake trip, and my skin was supremely hydrated (even without layering a moisturizer underneath) the entire time.”
There is the slightest white cast, she notes, “but with a bit of rubbing, it disappears entirely.” She also said it didn’t break out her acne-prone skin or make it look greasy, all the while being pretty hydrating too.
FAQs
How to choose the best mineral sunscreen for you:
Make sure it's SPF 30 or higher.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, you should be using an SPF 30 or higher every single day—no ifs, ands, or buts. While you're at it, make sure you opt for a formula with broad-spectrum protection, meaning it protects you against UVA (which is what can cause sunburns and skin cancer) and UVB rays (a major culprit for premature aging, including fine lines and wrinkles, saggy skin, hyperpigmentation, and skin damage). Obvi, all of my top formula picks above meet this requirement.
Look for tinted or clear formulas.
I get it: Mineral sunscreens get a bad rap for the annoying white cast they cause. If you're concerned, opt for a tinted or clear formula. Tinted sunscreens usually have a bit of pigment added to cancel out the white cast, helping the formula to blend into your skin. "Tinted SPFs also provide protection against visible light, so it's particularly good for people with hyperpigmentation," adds Dr. Kim.
Clear mineral sunscreens, instead, will usually have a white look just out of the tube, but disappear as you blend them in. If you have deep skin, make sure to read the reviews (feel free to toggle to reviews that mention a white cast or dark skin tones) to get an idea before buying. I noted the opacity levels of all of my picks above.
Assess your skin type.
Sunscreens are more than just SPF these days. To find a formula you're gonna <3 putting on every day, you've gotta look for one that matches your skin type. So if you deal with an oily T-zone and the occasional zit, go with a matte mineral sunscreen that'll help control sebum. But if you have dry patches that you wanna moisturize and smooth, try a hydrating formula filled with vitamin E, squalane, shea butter, or oils.
Meet the experts:
- Ivey Rogers is a licensed aesthetician in Charlotte, NC and the lead aesthetician with Urban Skin RX. She's an expert in working with all skin tones and types.
- Dendy Engelman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue in New York City. She was previously interviewed about sunscreens without white cast.
- Mona Gohara, MD, is a dermatologist and associate clinical professor at the Yale School of Medicine practicing in Hamden, CT, and Branford, CT. She was featured in a story about pregnancy-safe sunscreen.
- David Kim, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology in New York, NY. He's also the founder of Lightsaver, a mineral-based SPF brand sold at Sephora.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
