Best Clean Mineral Sunscreens Summer 2023
If you're skincare fanatic like me, you KNOW Summer is not the only season for sunscreen, it's all year long. So, I'm coming at ya with my Summer 2023 sunscreen favorites early so that you're ready when the UV radiation is at its strongest. My sunscreen picks this year are not only clean and non-toxic, but they are also acne-safe & sensitive skin friendly!
Sunscreens offer crucial protection from the damaging effects of UVA and UVB sun rays, which cause premature aging (wrinkles, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, melasma etc.) and, well, skin cancer. My skin is sensitive, very acne prone and combo (with rosacea - yay!), so finding a sunscreen that won't irritate me but still work and is cosmetically pleasant is always a challenge. I spend a LOT of time researching and working on my SPF roundup post every year, so if you feel inclined and would like to support the blog, you can use my affiliate links and/or discount codes I've included with each product (but rest assured, none of this is sponsored). I've rounded up my favorite sunscreen picks for face, body, and lips below - and they're all clean, cruelty free, and safe for you and the Planet!
Why Mineral Sunscreens?
The only active ingredients found in mineral/physical sunscreens are: zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. They are physical blockers (hence the name physical sunscreen) and they reflect UVB and UVA rays, as opposed to absorbing them into the skin, like chemical sunscreens do. Chemical sunscreens’ active ingredients may contain a combination of these: oxybenzone, octinoxate (octylmethoxycinnamate), homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, and avobenzone. Many of these active ingredients can potentially be endocrine disruptors AND some of them have been shown to contribute in destroying coral reefs. Chemical sunscreens can also cause irritation, so anyone with sensitive skin should beware.
So now, let's get into my clean mineral sunscreen favorites!
SUNSCREENS FOR THE FACE
Solara Guardian Angel Super Peptide Sunscreen SPF 50 (no tint)
Image Source: Solara Suncare
Active Ingredient: Non-Nano Zinc Oxide 12%. This Solara Guardian Angel Sunscreen is the lightest, most liquidy sunscreen milk you’ll find. Formulated for people with sensitive, breakout- and rosacea-prone skin, this “oil-free 100% mineral sunscreen milk is loaded with 12 skin compatible actives including: collagen building, line-plumping Super Proteins (a 5 amino acid pentapeptide), exotic Adaptogenic Superfruits with clinically proven cell energizing and free radical scavenging ability, and the advanced barrier support of CoQ10 and Niacinamide.” It works really well if your skin is dehydrated or dry, and if it is combo or oily. Solara also touts the product as a great primer under makeup. This SPF has no pore clogging ingredients, so you can feel confident in using it without the fear of potentially breaking out. Since it’s not tinted, it may leave a slight white cast on deeper skin tones, but it didn’t leave one on my skin. I love that it comes in glass packaging. Buy it here!
Le Prunier PlumScreen SPF 31 PA +++ (sheer)
Image Source: Le Prunier
Active Ingredient: Non-nano Zinc Oxide 4.7%. This sunscreen shook me to my core. I got a sample of it at Credo Beauty, as I looked at the ingredients and saw it had no pore cloggers. Let me tell you, this sunscreen is MAGICAL. Never in my life have I felt a mineral sunscreen go on my face this smoothly, just like a light moisturizer would. It gave me zero irritation, zero breakouts, and zero greasiness. I skip my moisturizer and just use this instead, as it’s nourishing enough for my combo skin (this is very rare with a zinc based sunscreen!). “Le Prunier Plumscreen® combines broad spectrum sun protection with the skincare benefits of Le Prunier’s cult-favorite Plum Beauty Oil” and it feels as luxurious as its price - $78! This is definitely an investment, however, if you’ve not found the right SPF after years of searching and have very finicky skin, give it a try by getting their travel size first! This SPF leaves no white cast whatsoever. Finally, I love that it comes in a recyclable aluminum tube. Shop Plumscreen here.
Kosas DreamBeam Sunscreen SPF 40 PA++++ (sheer tinted)
Image Source: Kosas
Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide 21.7%. This new Kosas DreamBeam SPF may be the CUTEST sunscreen I’ve ever come across. It’s tinted, but it doesn’t offer much coverage, however it’s great for masking the zinc so you don’t get any white cast at all. This dries down to a satin finish, which is perfect as a lot of SPFs either dry my skin out or leave it greasy & heavy. The Kosas SPF works perfectly under makeup (zero pilling here), but it also evens out your skin and gives it a slight radiance if you wear it alone. Kosas really nailed it with this truly comfortable formula by adding peptides, ceramides, hyaluronic acid AND allantoin. Shop it here!
MyChelle Tinted Sun Shield Liquid SPF 30 (tinted)
Image Source: MyChelle Dermaceuticals on Amazon
Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide 16.1%. If you follow me on Instagram, you know that this has been my ride-or-die everyday sunscreen for years. I use it year round, but since it's a mattifying, oil-free sunscreen, it's especially great for the Summer. I love how the tint warms up my face and I can get away with using it as a foundation on my no makeup days! The coverage is light-medium, and it evens things out really well. I use the light/medium shade - they also provide a "medium/dark", "dark" and a "light" one, as well as an un-tinted version. This sunscreen totally liquid, serum-like consistency (the packaging is in a glass bottle with a dropper). It’s also oil free and contains bentonite clay, which is awesome for the summer as it creates a smooth, matte finish, so your face won’t look oily. My rosacea has never flared from this SPF either. Make sure to shake the bottle really well before every use (it has a little metal ball inside to combine the ingredients). This 100% oil free SPF is formulated without parabens, petroleum, phthalates, silicones, sulfates, artificial fragrances, artificial colors or any pore clogging ingredients. It's cruelty free, vegan and super affordable! Shop it here.
Clearstem YouAreSunshine SPF 50 (tinted)
Image Source: Clearstem Skincare
Active Ingredient: Non-nano Zinc Oxide 21%. This SPF offers some serious defense from UVA & UVB rays due to the high zinc oxide percentage in it. It’s designed to “protect all skin types (including sensitive skin) that are prone to scar damage, acne, rosacea, dryness, and discoloration. Formulated with green tea, gotu kola, and horse chestnut to calm the skin, stimulate collagen and reduce the look of scars and dark spots.” I find the tint to be slight however it cancels out the white cast and offers me some coverage and warmth to my skin tone. I love how light and easy it feels upon application, and that it dries down to a matte/satin finish. Rest assured, any product you buy from Clearstem Skincare will not contain any pore clogging ingredients and will be totally acne safe + promote face healing. You can save 15% off Clearstem anytime with my code GREENBOOTLIFE, which you can use as many times as you like. Shop here!
Undefined Beauty R&R Sun Serum SPF 50 PA ++++ (tinted)
Active Ingredient: Non-nano Zinc Oxide 12% . This is a new discovery that has blown me away pretty instantly. The R&R Sun Serum a tinted liquid SPF that spreads beautifully on the skin and dries down to a satin finish. It’s a black owned brand, so this sunscreen is specifically made to be great for darker complexions as well! It’s water resistant for 40 minutes, without feeling sticky, heavy or even like you have anything on, which is a major plus. Some ingredient highlights include: Niacinamide, Tremella Mushroom, Raspberry Seed, Jojoba Esters and Rosemary. It’s acne safe and sensitive skin friendly, fragrance free and super lightweight. Buy it on Amazon here!
SUNSCREENS FOR THE BODY
Mad Hippie Ultra-Sheer Body SPF 40+
Image Source: Ulta Beauty
Active Ingredient: Non-nano Zinc Oxide 20.5%. Mad Hippie makes a truly awesome Ultra-Sheer Body SPF 40+, fragrance free and water resistant up to 80 minutes. The consistency of this sunscreen is my favorite part, because it’s super lightweight, lotion-like and spreads very easily, unlike many physical body sunscreens. It’s also fairly hydrating and doesn’t leave you sticky, so it’s great for everyday use! As for the “sheer” part, once you rub it in, the white cast will disappear with a little time, but I’d say it may leave somewhat of a white cast if you have a deeper complexion. This body SPF is reef-safe, cruelty-free, vegan, and free of fragrance, petrochemicals, benzene, synthetic dyes, silicones, parabens & phthalates. Buy it here!
Badger Baby Mineral Sunscreen Cream SPF 40
Image Source: Badger Balm
Active Ingredient: Uncoated Zinc Oxide 22.5%. This is my favorite body SPF from Badger, which is hands down one of the, if not THE most trusted non-toxic sunscreen brand out there. This Chamomile & Calendula Baby Sunscreen Cream SPF 40 is great for babies, kids and adults alike! It's super hydrating, goes on clear and the scent from the chamomile and calendula is very calming and soothing. The sunscreen is water resistant for 40 minutes, has 98% organic ingredients and is certified non-GMO. The full ingredients are: Uncoated Zinc Oxide 22.5%, Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Beeswax, Sunflower Vitamin E, Organic Chamomile Oil, Organic Calendula Flower Extract, Organic Seabuckthorn Fruit Extract. This sunscreen is safe for the face as well, but I wouldn't recommend it if you tend to break out, but I feel like it's perfect for babies' and kids' faces. Buy it here!
Forah Everyday Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
Image Source: Forah
Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 10%, Titanium Dioxide 7%. I fell in love with this organic mineral sunscreen from Forah as soon as I started using it! It’s packaged in a sustainable aluminum tube, it spreads SUPER easily as it has a liquid consistency, it’s certified ORGANIC, and has so many skin loving oils and other antioxidants. It’s okay to use both one the face and body, but since I can’t handle coconut oil, I used it exclusively on my body. You can watch an Instagram Reel of me applying it here. It’s NEVER greasy, absorbs so well and leaves no white cast. If you hate mineral sunscreen, well, you’ll love this one! You can save 15% off Forah with my code MILAFORYOU. Shop it here!
Suntegrity Milky Mineral Sun Serum Spray, Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Image Source: Credo Beauty
Active Ingredients: Non-nano Titanium Dioxide 7.2 %, Non-nano Zinc Oxide 9.5%. This is a totally clean, non-streaky, fast absorbing mineral sunscreen that goes on smoothly without much of a white cast at all. This is not only one of the easiest sunscreens I’ve ever worked with, but it’s also super nourishing and wears beautifully.
Some of the key ingredients are: Zinc Oxide & Titanium Dioxide (both non-nano) , Grape Seed Oil, Argan Oil, Karanja Oil, Squalane (from sugarcane), Mango & Papaya Extracts. It’s suitable for both the face and body, but I’ve only used it as a body sunscreen, since it it scented (and my rosacea doesn’t like that, lol). You have to make sure to spray this into your hand and not directly on your face though, as inhaling titanium dioxide (the other mineral filter next to zinc oxide in this formula) can be harmful for your health. It’s also Vegan & Cruelty-Free, Reef friendly and in a 100% recyclable aluminum bottle. I highly recommend it! Shop it here.
SUNSCREENS FOR THE LIPS
Hurraw Sun Lip Balm SPF 15
Image Source: Hurraw Balm
Active Ingredient: Non-Nano Uncoated Zinc Oxide 16%. The Sun Lip Balm from Hurraw has been a favorite of mine for years. It's quite difficult to find a hydrating, clean and mineral lip SPF that works. This one is a very moisturizing, non-nano zinc oxide based lip balm with a yummy scent, achieved by combining tangerine, vanilla and chamomile. It glides on really well, and I’ve noticed a bit of a white tint to it (due to the zinc - which is normal!), but if you mind that, you can always apply a tinted lip color over it. Hurraw is overall one of my favorite lip balm brands, because they're hydrating, effective, and formulated largely with organic ingredients, like this one is, at 68%. It's also vegan, cruelty free, and non-gmo. Buy it here!
Solara Pout Protector Moisturizing Lip Serum SPF 15
Image Source: Solara Suncare
Active Ingredient: Non-Nano Uncoated Zinc Oxide 11%. This Solara lip sunscreen is a newer discovery for me and I've been really happy with it. It's a lightweight lip product that comes out of the tube white and goes on white at first, but once you rub it in it actually turns clear and my lips just look like they're nicely glossed. It's a zinc oxide based lip SPF with a double tripeptide blend (plumps), purslane (contains vitamins that promote cell regeneration), blackberry extract (helps fight environmental stressors and free-radicals), ashwagandha (antioxidant & anti-inflammatory), and Tahitian Monoi (nourishes & repairs), among other ingredients. It's vegan, reef-friendly, cruelty free. This is a more luxe lip SPF option compared to the Hurraw SPF. Buy it here!
In conclusion…
I'm sure there are new & exciting SPF formulations coming out this Summer, so check back here periodically, as I may add new favorites as the year goes on. Make sure to also follow me Instagram to get the scoop on my newest finds. And as always, don't forget wear a sunhat and stay in the shade whenever you can. 😉