There’s no doubt that sunscreen and sun creams are absolutely essential for healthy skin; however, it can be hard work finding a sunscreen you’re totally satisfied with.
If you’ve struggled to find your SPF soulmate with traditional chemical-based sunscreens, mineral sunscreens could be worth a try.
Once upon a time, mineral sunscreens were often written off due to the white ‘cast’ they would leave on the skin. But times have changed! Innovative formulas have changed the game when it comes to mineral sunscreens and there are so many to choose from.
Discover nine of our favourite mineral sunscreens here at H&B, as well as a little more information to help you decide if they could be a good choice for you in this article.
Skip to:
- What is mineral sunscreen?
- Is mineral sunscreen better than chemical?
- 9 of the best mineral sunscreens
- The best mineral sunscreen with zinc
- The best ocean-friendly mineral sunscreen
- The best high-strength mineral sunscreen
- The best vegan mineral sunscreen
- The best sunscreen for sensitive skin
- The best mattifying mineral sunscreen
- The best mineral face sunscreen
- The best tinted mineral sunscreen
- The best mineral sunscreen for babies
What is mineral sunscreen?
Mineral sunscreens are a form of sun protection for our skin that use minerals instead of chemicals.
They’re sometimes referred to as a physical sunscreens and work by absorbing and then deflecting or scattering the UV radiation, as well as absorbing the UV light and releasing it as heat.1
The two main chemicals used in mineral sunscreens are:
- Zinc oxide
- Titanium dioxide
Is mineral sunscreen better than chemical?
It totally depends on what you’re looking for in a sunscreen; there are pros and cons to both.
Mineral sunscreen offers the following benefits:
- They provide protection from the sun immediately after you apply it
- They tend to last longer in the sun2
Mineral sunscreens also tend to be more eco-friendly as they are often made from natural
ingredients that won’t harm marine life including fish and reefs (always check individual products, as this is not a guarantee).
They can also be a great choice for pregnant and breastfeeding women, as they sit on the surface of the skin rather than get absorbed.
People often turn to mineral sunscreen as chemical sunscreens can have their draw backs, like:
- Need to be applied 20 minutes before sun exposure
- Have to be applied regularly
- Can be harmful to marine life and reefs3
However, mineral sunscreens can sometimes leave whitish ‘casts’ on the skin, so may not be suitable for people with darker skin tones (even though this is much less common now).
They can also sometimes require larger amounts to be applied to provide adequate protection.
Ultimately, the best sunscreens are the ones you will actually use on a regular basis. Dermatologists from the British Skin Foundation claim:
“The best sunscreen is the one you will use regularly and in the correct quantities.”
Which is better, mineral or physical sunscreen?
They are pretty much the same thing, so neither!
Which mineral sunscreen is best?
You can find mineral sunscreens to suit different wants and needs.
For example, there are mineral sunscreens designed specifically for sensitive skin, as well as formulas that are eco-friendly and safe for marine life, e.g. when you go for a swim.
9 of the best mineral sunscreens 2022
Here is our round-up of the best mineral based sunscreens on the market for the face and body (and your children), including:
- The best mineral sunscreen with zinc
- The best ocean-friendly mineral sunscreen
- The best high-strength mineral sunscreen
- The best vegan mineral sunscreen
- The best sunscreen for sensitive skin
- The best mattifying mineral sunscreen
- The best mineral face sunscreen
- The best tinted mineral sunscreen
- The best mineral sunscreen for babies
Starts out white, rubs in clear! This easy-to-apply sunscreen is a refreshing alternative to those annoying sunscreens that leave you with a blotchy ‘white cast’ on your skin.
The active ingredient is 18.75% uncoated clear zinc oxide, which offers broad-spectrum SPF30 coverage with excellent UVA and UVB protection.
Although this sunscreen provides a high level of protection, it is also incredibly gentle, moisturising and great for all skin types – a clear winner in our books!
Key benefits
- Easy-to-apply 18.75% uncoated clear zinc oxide sunscreen that blends with your skin tone
- Offers broad-spectrum protection SPF30 with excellent UVA / UVB protection and added moisturisation
- 98% organic ingredients, no added fragrances, and great for all skin types
What our customers think
“My new favourite mineral sunscreen! Unlike almost all other mineral sunscreens, it goes on clear, no white cast at all. It is a fairly thick and greasy cream but its fine for my dry skin and it definitely works. I get rosacea when I don't wear sunscreen outside but nothing with this on, my extremely sensitive skin loves it! Best I’ve tried and I’ve tried a lot! Thanks Badger for making such a good, safe sunscreen!”
“Bought because I am breastfeeding so needed a non-chemical based suncream. Has a lovely non-sticky texture and doesn’t cause my skin to breakout which is an unexpected bonus!”
Kind to you and the environment, this sunscreen by Green People gives you the best of both worlds.
The ocean-friendly formula is
non-greasy and great for sensitive skin and families.
You can expect highly effective broad-spectrum UVA and UVB sun protection, and it’s great for people who suffer from prickly heat.
Key benefits:
- Reef-safe and ocean-friendly formula with fully recyclable, renewable and carbon-neutral sugar cane packaging
- Offers highly effective, broad-spectrum UVA and UVB sun protection
- Easy-to-apply formula suitable for sensitive skin and prickly heat
- Made with 84% certified organic ingredients
What our customers think
“Best sun cream I have ever used. I also use this on my face and for someone who has very sensitive skin, it’s the only sun cream that hasn’t given me spots. Would (and do!) recommend to everyone.”
I found this very easy to apply and liked the matt non greasy finish, great suncare product which is good for the environment as well as me!
High-strength sun protection meets an ultra-light formula in this innovative SPF50 sunscreen.
This high-tech formulation glides effortlessly onto the skin, using 100% mineral filters to provide sun protection and a very high 95% UVA filter.
You won’t find any chemical filters here! Instead, protective antioxidants and infraguard step in to guard your skin from the negative effects of sun damage.
Key benefits
- Ultra-light formula with heavy duty SPF50 protection and over 95% UVA filter
- Effortlessly glides onto skin with 100% mineral filters, infraguard, and nourishing antioxidants
- Infraguard formula also protects skin from high energy visible light, aka blue light
- Free from perfume, mineral oils, and chemical filters
What our customers think
It’s hard to find decent mineral sunscreen in SPF 50 with highest UVA protection (++++ rating). Easy to apply. Leaves a white film as all mineral sunscreen does but the cast reduces after a few minutes. Highly recommend.
Used on a family holiday for children in 40 degrees of heat, worked perfectly. Great protection and easily applied. Much better than similar thick sunblocks which can block pores and cause irritation. Has become a sunshiny day must have.
If you’re looking for a 100% mineral and 100% vegan-friendly mineral sunscreen – you’ve found it with the H&B Mineral Sunscreen. Formulated with natural filters, antioxidants and oils, it leaves the skin feeling nourished as well as protected throughout the day.
This formula offers broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection from the sun, while causing no damage to coral reefs or local fish – win, win!
Key benefits
- Vegan friendly and cruelty free 100% mineral sun protection
- Natural broad-spectrum SPF15 protection from UVA and UVB rays
- Reef-safe: this formulation doesn’t contain Oxybenzone and Octinoxate, which are known to harm local fish and coral reefs
- Also comes in SPF30 and SPF50
- Packaging made from recycled plastic
What our customers think
What our customers think
Love this suntan cream will definitely buy again.
I'm impressed that this not only has great reef safe eco credentials but it was also fine for my sensitive skin
I found this smells great and isn't sticky. It covers really well. It's vegan, reef friendly and against animal cruelty which is so important for me.
Sunscreen can be tricky when you have sensitive skin, which is why Alba Botanica have designed this fragrance free sensitive mineral sunscreen.
This formula offers broad spectrum SPF30 sun protection to protect you from UVA and UVB rays, while remaining lightweight and easy to absorb.
It also contains naturally nourishing and antioxidant-rich ingredients like sunflower seed oil, jojoba seed oil, aloe vera, grape seed oil, and vitamin E.
Key benefits
- Premium SPF30 fragrance-free sun protection formulated for sensitive skin
- Water resistant (60 minutes) and biodegradable – so it’s reef-safe
- Botanically moisturising mineral formula with broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection
- Enriched with grape seed oil, vitamin E, sunflower seed oil, jojoba seed oil, aloe vera and other nourishing ingredients
What our customers think
I love this sunscreen! It's all mineral, which was very important to me as I suffer with rosacea and chemical filters irritate my skin further. It has a whitecast, which fully disappears on my light skin in ~10 minutes. It is very moisturising, works wonderful on my combination, sensitive and compromised skin (may be a bit too much for oily skin). It creates protective barrier between my skin and makeup (I find my BB cream sits gorgeous on top of it). No clogged pores, no sunburn. I love the generous size and lack of fragrance. Wish there was SPF 50 version.
Rubs in clear and easily, reef safe and cruelty free
This Clean Screen Mineral Sunscreen is the product of six years of research into a SPF that’s good for your skin – in more ways than one.
It provides everyday broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection from the sun, without the greasy finish a lot of sunscreens leave you with.
This sensitive, no-shine and 100% vegan formula is easily absorbed and the perfect protective addition to your skincare regime.
Key benefits
- 22% zinc oxide provides a physical shield to effectively block and reflect UVA and UVB
- Helps protect skin from negative effects pollution and free-radical damage with yellow passion fruit seed extract and minimise pore appearance
- A vegan-friendly way to protect the skin from sun with a mattifying finish
What our customers think
I love REN products because they're sustainable and actually do what they say on the "tin" - this sunscreen is a little pricy but is worth it - not greasy, smooth feel and good coverage. a little goes a long way.
You don’t want a greasy face when you apply sunscreen – we get it – and so do Ultrasun.
This mineral sunscreen provides heavy-duty sun protection that’s gentle to sensitive facial skin. It glides effortlessly onto skin for over 90% UVA filter protection from 100% mineral filters.
It also contains the revolutionary anti-ageing enzyme Ectoin, as well as other powerful antioxidants to keep your skin feeling fresh.
Key benefits
- Ultra-light mineral SPF30 protection for the face
- Water resistant and suitable for sensitive skin
- Free from perfume, mineral oils and chemical filters
- Formulated with antioxidants and Ectoin to help prevent premature signs of ageing
What our customers think
I have very sensitive skin, and It's difficult for me to find products that doesn't irritate my skin. I am very happy with this product, it's light and easily absorbs into skin. Another thing I love about this product, it has no perfume - no smell at all.
Bought this for holidays, but the weather here at home is so beautiful have been using all the time.
A beautiful combination of sun protection and tinted skin nourishment – this sunscreen is a must-have for your daily beauty regime.
Reef-safe mineral-based zinc oxide provides broad-spectrum SPF20 protection from the sun, while polyphenol-rich lingonberry stem cells and hyaluronic acid nourish the skin.
Key benefits
- Beautifully tinted with mineral light-reflecting pigments for a bright, dewy finish
- Formulated with reef-safe mineral-based zinc oxide to deliver a lightweight yet broad-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays
- Enriched with ingredients your skin will love like polyphenol-rich lingonberry stem cells and hyaluronic acid
This tinted sunscreen is also available in a darker shade.
What our customers think
n/a new product
Put your baby’s skin in safe hands with Badger’s baby sunscreen.
This highly effective formula offers broad-spectrum mineral SPF30 protection from the sun, as well as moisturising ingredients like chamomile and calendula.
It’s super easy to apply and is one of the highest rated sunscreens on the Environmental Working Group list – so you know it’s good!
Key benefits
- Specially formulated to protect baby’s delicate skin from the sun’s harmful rays
- Gentle and effective broad-spectrum SPF30 protection from organic ingredients including zinc oxide
- One of the highest rated sunscreens on the Environmental Working Group list
- Contains moisturising and soothing ingredients like chamomile and calendula
What our customers think
I purchased this a few weeks ago for my daughter who has very sore eczema. I live the natural products. The smell is divine. And so far no problems with it on her skin. Happy with the protection this offers.
I used this all throughout my pregnancy and now use it on my daughter. Goes on white and rub in the best you can. Fabulous protection and I love the smell. Ranked 1 on EWG scale, 1 being the best for skin care and 10 the worst.
The final say
We hope this guide has helped you find the right mineral sunscreen for you – now get out there and test it out in the sunshine!
The advice in this article is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP or healthcare professional before trying any supplements, treatments or remedies. Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Last updated: 19 April 2022
