The Best Mineral Sunscreens of 2024
As summer approaches and the sun's rays intensify, it's crucial to prioritize sun protection. When UV levels go above 3, you should definitely consider wearing sunscreen if you are going to spend time outside. I’m very excited to share my Top Mineral Sunscreens of 2024, so that you're prepared and protected during peak UV exposure. Get ready to meet your new favorite natural and clean mineral sunscreens, as well as acne safe and sensitive skin friendly facial mineral sunscreens.
Sunscreen isn't just about preventing sunburn; it's a vital defense against the harmful effects of UVA and UVB rays, such as premature aging and skin cancer. As someone with sensitive, acne-prone, and rosacea-prone skin, I understand the challenge of finding a sunscreen that's effective yet gentle, believe me. 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, opinions are my own). Below, you'll find my top picks for facial and body sunscreens - 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!
ACNE SAFE FACIAL SUNSCREENS
Dime Beauty Wonderscreen SPF 30 (untinted)
*best under makeup*
Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide 19%. This may be the most perfect untinted zinc sunscreen on the market. It’s lightweight, absorbs well, acne safe, doesn’t leave a white cast, and lays beautifully under makeup. It’s truly a Wonder! I’ve found it very gentle on my rosacea as well, it doesn’t make my skin too oily or too dry, like most sunscreens do. I really think this sunscreen would work on all skin types! It features these key ingredients: Squalane & Beetroot. Please note that the tinted version of Wonderscreen has pore clogging ingredients, so it’s not totally acne safe at this time. Shop Wonderscreen here!
Le Prunier PlumScreen SPF 31 PA +++ (sheer)
*best sunscreen that doesn’t feel like sunscreen*
Active Ingredient: Non-nano Zinc Oxide 4.7%. This sunscreen was my favorite discovery last year. 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. It also has no pore clogging ingredients, so it’s a completely acne safe facial sunscreen. I personally 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 10% off with code GREENBOOTLIFE here.
Clearstem YouAreSunshine SPF 50 (tinted)
*best sunscreen for the beach*
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. This is my favorite sunscreen for the beach, because of the high zinc content, the tint it offers, and because it’s not greasy. 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, even if it’s ever reformulated, which isn’t true for 99% of brands. You can save 15% off Clearstem anytime with my code GREENBOOTLIFE, which you can use as many times as you like. Shop here!
Bloomeffects Tulip Dew Sunscreen Serum SPF 50 (tinted)
*best sunscreen for dry skin*
Active Ingredient: Non-nano Zinc Oxide 12%. This sunscreen has been all the rage since it came out. And for good reason! I first thought, based on my research, that this sunscreen will be way too oily and shiny for my combo skin. Well, I was proven wrong! While Tulip Dew definitely provides a dewy glow, it doesn’t feel greasy or overly oily on my skin, and I’m not an oil slick at the end of the day. It’s also acne safe, like all my facial sunscreen picks in this blog post. I would especially recommend this sunscreen if you have dry skin, as it’s very nourishing and hydrating. If you have oily skin, I’d recommend you use this one in colder and less humid months. The tint in this sunscreen is just there to cancel out the white cast of zinc oxide (and it does it successfully), and it leaves a light, barely there tint on lighter skin types. Some key ingredients in it are: Triple Plum Blend (vitamin C), Proprietary Dutch Tulip Complex, Sunflower Extract, Chamomile Extract and Mushroom (vitamin D). Shop it here!
Colorescience Unforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50 PA++++ (tinted)
*best coverage sunscreen*
Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide 12%. This sunscreen is an incredible replacement for your foundation! It offers such great medium to full coverage and looks great on the skin, offering a satin finish. The formula is really interesting, because the sunscreen comes out white from the tube, and as you spread it on your skin, the tint starts showing. They have 4 shades: Fair, Medium, Tan and Deep. I am in between shade Fair and Medium, as I like a slightly darker tint to my very pale face, so I combine these two shades to achieve my desired shade (I’ve seen a lot of creators talk about being between shades). I have to be honest and say that this is the only sunscreen I’ve ever tried that just totally feels like nothing on the skin. Please note, this is a clean-ish option, definitely not the cleanest, but I wanted to include it because it’s so difficult to find an acne safe sunscreen that works so well. Shop it here!
NATURAL BODY SUNSCREENS
Mad Hippie Ultra-Sheer Body SPF 40+
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. This has been my go-to body sunscreen for years, and it’s truly fail-proof. 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!
Suntegrity Milky Mineral Sun Serum Spray SPF 50
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 body though, as inhaling titanium dioxide (the other mineral filter next to zinc oxide in this formula) could be potentially harmful, when inhaled. I also love the aluminum bottle packaging, which is more eco friendly than plastic. This sunscreen is also Vegan & Cruelty-Free, Reef friendly and in a 100% recyclable aluminum bottle. I highly recommend it! Shop it here!
100% Pure Yerba Mate Mist SPF 30
Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide 12%. This is a really great & safe spray body sunscreen option for the whole family. I love that it has minimal ingredients and that it’s water resistant for 80 minutes. This does leave a white cast, so I recommend rubbing smaller amount into the skin to sheer it out. The key ingredients are: Jojoba Oil, Safflower Oil and Yerba Mate. Buy it 20% off with code GREENBOOT here!
In conclusion…
I'm sure there are new & exciting SPF formulations coming out this Summer, so make sure to 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. Happy Summer 😉