Mineral Sunscreen
Also known as physical sunscreen, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, sunblock
What is mineral sunscreen?
Mineral sunscreen uses zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or both to protect your skin from UV rays. Both sit on the surface of your skin and have a long safety record. They start working as soon as you apply them, and they rarely irritate sensitive, acne-prone, or rosacea-prone skin.
Best forSensitive skin
Acne-prone skin
Rosacea
Kids and pregnancy
Daily SPF
Mineral sunscreens
Shop all 112
Colorescience
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50
$58.00
EltaMD
EltaMD UV Restore Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 Untinted
$24.50
EltaMD
EltaMD UV Skin Recovery Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Face Sunscreen
$25.50
Pavise
Pavise Dynamic Age Defense SPF 30
$148.00
Pairs well with
- Iron oxides
- Antioxidants
- Niacinamide
- Hyaluronic acid
Use with caution
- White cast on deeper skin tones (pick a tinted formula)
- Rubbing it off with a towel after swimming
- Skipping reapplication every two hours
Mineral Sunscreen FAQs
Mineral sunscreen is better for sensitive, acne-prone, and melasma-prone skin. Chemical sunscreen goes on clearer, so pick the one you'll wear every day.
Older formulas do. Tinted mineral sunscreens and newer sheer zinc formulas blend into most skin tones.
Mineral sunscreen protects as soon as it is on your skin. You don't have to wait 15 minutes.
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide stay on the surface of your skin, which is why doctors often suggest them during pregnancy.
Related reading
This content on this page is for general information only and is not medical advice. Always speak to a dermatologist before starting a new skincare routine.
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