8 Best Mineral Sunscreens to Protect Skin

Neutrogena’s great value zinc oxide face sunscreen was easy to apply and effective at preventing sunburn in GH Beauty Lab testing. The silky smooth, softening formula, great for mature skin types, also wears well under makeup — testers found it didn’t interfere with their foundation application. Several users remarked that they liked how it “moisturized skin.” It might leave a bit of a white cast at first while it soaks in so it may be better-suited for fairer skin tones.

• SPF 50
• Active ingredients: Zinc Oxide (21.6%)
• Water resistance: 80 minutes
• Price per ounce: ~$5.49

A rare sunscreen spray with naturally-derived mineral active ingredients, testers found Bare Republic easy to apply in GH Beauty Lab evaluations. It also scored well for its vanilla coconut scent, not stinging or irritating skin, not feeling greasy or drying and protecting skin from sunburn. Note that users didn’t find it fast-absorbing and reported that it left a white residue on skin. Many users raved about its effortless application: “It sprayed very evenly,” one noted. Another said, “I did not get sunburned, despite spending hours in the strong Colorado sun!”

• SPF 50
• Active ingredients: Zinc Oxide (12%), Titanium Dioxide (8%)
• Water resistance: 80 minutes
• Price per ounce: ~$2.49