This Is the Only Mineral Sunscreen That Won’t Leave a Chalky Cast (2024)

_{Original image byGlamourtester Brigitt Earley}

This SPF formula is ever-so-slightly tinted, so it blends with all skin tones and won’t ever leave any hint of white behind. It’s also exceptionally lightweight, easy to spread, and quick-absorbing. “When it dries, my skin feels so soft and silky—not at all tacky like with so many others,” says Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley. “I’m obsessed with the little clip on this too. You can hook it right onto your pool tote or purse, so you’ll never leave home without it.”

Type: Lotion / Active ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide / SPF: 50 / Size: 2 oz. / Water-resistant: Yes (40 minutes)

• What we love: Leaves skin silky soft; includes clip to attach to a bag
• What could improve: Bottle is very small

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_{Original image byGlamourtester Brigitt Earley}

Dermatologists are quick to sing EltaMD’s praises for all skin types, including sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, and dry skin. “It’s easy to apply and absorbs into my skin readily—no greasy residue whatsoever,” says Debra Ibrahim, DO, co-owner of Aesthetica Medspa in New Jersey.

Earley, who loves the brand as a whole, finds herself reaching for this tinted formula the most. “It comes out a bit thick but is surprisingly easy to rub in,” she says. “I love the slight tint it gives on no-makeup days. And I also have no trouble layering it.” Either way, she says it leaves skin soft and smooth—just like your favorite moisturizer.

Type: Lotion / Active ingredient: Zinc oxide / SPF: 50 / Size: 1.7 oz. / Water-resistant: Yes (40 minutes)

• What we love: Lightweight; nongreasy
• What could improve: Comes out relatively thick

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_{Original image byGlamourtester Brigitt Earley}

This sheer, lightweight formula is suitable for both face and body, so it’s perfect for tossing in your pool or beach bag. The brand’s dry-touch technology means the sunscreen dries down to a nongreasy finish, and it’s water-resistant to keep you protected longer. “It feels just as lightweight as more expensive formulas and leaves no white cast or grease behind,” saysGlamour contributor Bella Cacciatore. “Even though it feels like I’m wearing nothing, I like knowing I’m protected with a nice high SPF too.” Plus, it’s noncomedogenic—great for acne-prone skin—and has the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.

It’s endorsed by Zaineb H. Makhzoumi, MD, a director of clinical services and head of dermatologic surgery and oncology at University of Maryland Medical Center, who tells Glamour the brand’s spray sunscreen is also a great option for the scalp.

Type: Lotion / Active ingredient: Zinc oxide / SPF: 30 / Size: 3 oz. / Water-resistant: Yes (80 minutes)

• What we love: Lightweight; noncomedogenic
• What could improve: Thicker than some formulas

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_{Original image byGlamourcommerce director Brie Schwartz and Glamour associate beauty editor Danielle Sinay}

Featuring peptides, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and allantoin, DreamBeam combines skin care with SPF. “The lightweight mineral sunscreen formula plumps, hydrates, and smooths skin like a face serum, while a subtle peachy-pink hue corrects discoloration and redness, leaving you with a glowy complexion,” says Glamour associate beauty editor Danielle Sinay inher rave review of the Kosas DreamBeam Sunscreen. “It’s just enough for me to feel confident without any makeup, but so low-key and lightweight it looks and feels effortless, like I have nothing on.”

Type: Lotion / Active ingredient: Zinc oxide / SPF: 40 / Size: 1.3 oz. / Water-resistant: Yes (80 minutes)

• What we love: Hydrating; lightly tinted; smoothing
• What could improve: Slightly tacky formula

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While it can bedifficult to find mineral sunscreens for darker skin tones, says Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC,this brand offers adequate sun protection with an invisible finish. Designed with skin of color in mind, the mineral SPF leaves behind a dewy glow that looks fresh, not chalky. It also soothes and moisturizes as it protects, thanks to a botanical blend of aloe, avocado, and shea butter.

“This is my go-to, because my melanin is so sensitive and the product covers me completely without making me look greasy or blotchy, or giving me a white cast,” our tester Dominique Fluker told us. “My skin also tends to be a bit dry, and BGS is created with jojoba, avocado, vitamin E, and sunflower oil to keep your skin glowing and moisturized.”

Type: Lotion / Active ingredient: Zinc oxide / SPF: 50 / Size: 3 oz. / Water-resistant: Yes (80 minutes)

• What we love: Moisturizing; nourishing
• What could improve: Watery consistency

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_{Original image byGlamourtester Brigitt Earley}

This lightweight SPF blends in flawlessly, without leaving your face shiny—even if you have oily or acne-prone skin. “My skin type (combination and prone to breakouts) and skin tone (olive) have made it hard for me to find a good sunscreen,” saysGlamour contributorDeanna Pai. “Most tend to feel cloying or prove hard to blend out invisibly.”

Is the green color a little odd? Yes, but there’s a reason for it: The color helps cancel out redness from irritated or acne-prone skin. The gel-cream formula also lends a soothing cooling sensation to irritated skin as it settles in.

Type: Lotion / Active ingredient: Zinc oxide / SPF: 30 / Size: 1.69 oz. / Water-resistant: No

• What we love: Lightweight; easy to layer
• What could improve: Pump can get clogged

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_{Original image byGlamourtester Brigitt Earley}

This mineral sunscreen is noncomedogenic as well as paraben- and fragrance-free—making it a good fit for sensitive skin, says Dr. King. What’s more, she likes that it“rubs in clear and contains aloe vera, shea butter, sunflower seed oil, and vitamin E to nourish the skin.”

The packaging has a unique feature too. The color of the cap changes gradually when exposed to the sun to alert you when it’s time to slather on some lotion. We love that it’s also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

Type: Lotion / Active ingredient: Zinc oxide / SPF: 50 / Size: 5 oz. / Water-resistant: Yes (80 minutes)

• What we love: Good for sensitive skin; rubs in clear; reef-safe
• What could improve: May leave slight white cast

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It’s especially important to consider the ingredients in any SPF you’re slathering on little ones—and that’s where this baby sunscreen can bring some peace of mind. Thinkbaby has the highest rating you can get from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), plus it offers sun protection via non-nano zinc particles, which are safe for your baby or child.

Our tester said it spreads well, so you can slather a squirmy baby more easily than other, thicker mineral SPFs. Still, it’s not at all oily or goopy.

Type: Lotion / Active ingredient: Zinc oxide / SPF: 50 / Size: 3 oz. / Water-resistant: Yes (80 minutes)

• What we love: Water-resistant; reef-safe; extra-gentle formula
• What could improve: Does tend to leave a slight white cast, especially on darker skin

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_{Original image byGlamourtester Brigitt Earley}

Formulated with hyaluronic acid, this sunscreen leaves skin smoother, plumper, and more hydrated for a healthy glow. Antioxidants serve as a backup to the SPF, catching any free radicals before they can cause damage.

The formula is dermatologist-backed too. “La Roche-Posay is a great sunscreen brand for hydration and sun protection for all skin types and ages,” saysDeborah Longwill, DO, FAOCD, founder of the Miami Center for Dermatology. Our testers agree: We tried three of the brand’s most popular formulas and loved them all—this one included.

Type: Lotion / Active ingredient: Zinc oxide / SPF: 50 / Size: 1.7 oz. / Water-resistant: No

• What we love: Hydrating; lightweight; easy to layer
• What could improve: Not water-resistant

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_{Original image byGlamourtester Brigitt Earley}

“This product contains titanium dioxide and micronized zinc oxide, which leaves less of a white residue,” says Carolyn Stull, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York, who notes it’s a good pick for those with combination and oily skin. It’s oil-free, noncomedogenic, hypoallergenic, and fragrance- and paraben-free.

“It’s a little expensive, but it’s my holy grail,” says our tester, a longtime sufferer of oily, shiny skin that also happens to be extra-sensitive. “Seriously, it actually feels weightless on my skin and doesn’t cause any of the flare-ups or redness that I’m used to.”

Type: Lotion / Active ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide / SPF: 35 / Size: 1.85 oz. / Water-resistant: No

• Pros: Light tint; suitable for sensitive skin
• Cons: Pricier than others

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_{Original image byGlamourtester Brigitt Earley}

Debra Jaliman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC, says this spray not only has 14.5% zinc oxide, but also contains other skin-soothing ingredients such as aloe vera, shea butter, and glycerin. “It’s moisturizing and won’t dry your skin like some sprays tend to,”shesays, noting it’s also made out of 70% organic ingredients.

Our testers liked it too. “Sometimes mineral sunscreens don’t spray well, because they tend to be thicker,” says Earley. “But this one sprayed very evenly and was easy to rub in.” On the downside, it did leave a slight white cast.

Type: Spray / Active ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide / SPF: 30 / Size: 5 oz. / Water-resistant: Yes (80 minutes)

• What we love: Sprays evenly; easy to rub in; contains skin-soothing ingredients
• What could improve: Tends to leave a slight white cast

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_{Original image byGlamourtester Brigitt Earley}

One of the most nostalgic brands in sunscreen has a new powder sunscreen that’s getting a lot of positive attention. The gist: The brush-on formula is widely available and comes at a more moderate price point, but is almost identical to the more luxe offerings out there. It’s incredibly versatile, too—you can use the powder on any part of your body, but dermatologists tell Glamour this kind of sunscreen is the perfect choice for protecting the scalp.

We do wish this particular brush-on product came in more than one tint, but our testers didn’t report any coloration issues. In fact, testers said this powder had one of the silkiest finishes of any they tried. We also love that it has the same tropical scent as the brand’s other products and is small enough to stash in your purse for on-the-go application.

Type: Powder / Active ingredient: Zinc oxide / SPF: 30 / Size: 0.15 oz. / Water-resistant: No

• What we love: Budget-friendly; great scent; doesn’t feel chalky
• What could improve: Only one shade available

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_{Original image byGlamourtester Brigitt Earley}

This is another drugstore option worth telling all of your friends about, particularly because all skin types can tolerate it as a daily sunscreen with many of the same benefits of your average moisturizer, says Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in NYC. In addition to SPF 30, the broad-spectrum lotion also contains hydrating ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid to nourish skin while shielding it from the sun’s rays.

Testers gave it mostly glowing reviews, calling it ultra-moisturizing but not at all greasy. The noncomedogenic formula is surprisingly lightweight and lends a hint of dew. “The consistency is thick, but after some rubbing, it settles in nicely and leaves a glow,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle. It didn’t irritate any testers with sensitive skin, either—even the ones who are hard-pressed to find an SPF that doesn’t inflame their skin.

Type: Lotion / Active ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide / SPF: 30 / Size: 1.7 oz. / Water-resistant: No

• What we love: Light coverage; nontacky formula; comes in an untinted version
• What could improve: Not water-resistant

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Original image byGlamourtester Brigitt Earley

Sunscreen doesn’t have to feel like a chore if you have a product like Herbivore’s Star Seed handy. We’d urge you to think of it more as a tinted moisturizer with SPF. It’s ever-so-slightly tinted—just enough to lend a little bit of coverage for daily wear—and suits a wide range of skin tones. Testers say that although it only comes in one tone, it’s suitable for a wide range of individuals. “Not only does it apply so effortlessly, but the finish is top-grade,” says Earley, who calls this her new favorite SPF—a big deal, considering she’s tested close to 100 this year alone. “It leaves skin feeling so silky smooth without any greasy or sticky residue whatsoever.”

We love that the sun blocker has an ingredient list that carries a whole host of skin benefits, too. Vitamin C lends brightening properties, while prebiotics help strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier for that fresh-faced look. The light floral scent is a nice touch, too.

Type: Lotion / Active ingredient: Zinc oxide / SPF: 30 / Size: 1.7 oz. / Water-resistant: No

• What we love: Hydrating and brightening; lightly tinted to suit many skin tones
• What could improve: Not water-resistant

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Bubble makes skin care both fun and approachable, which is probably why the tweens love it so much. But we think they’re on to something, because this SPF is one of the best face sunscreens we’ve tried in recent months. Glamour commerce director Brie Schwartz says she’s always had a hard time finding a mineral sunscreen that could actually deliver as both a moisturizer and an SPF. But this one erased any skepticism she once had. “It applied evenly and as easily as a face moisturizer,” she reports. “And the natural but glowy finish basically looks like makeup, which is ideal for me, since I never wear foundation or concealer.”

It applies like a dream, offers a matte finish that minimizes pores like a makeup primer would, and sits light on skin—even after multiple applications throughout the day. We also love the absence of any fragrance, which makes it a suitable pick for those with sensitive skin.

Type: Lotion / Active ingredient: Zinc oxide / SPF: 40 / Size: 1.7 oz. / Water-resistant: No

• What we love: Blends easily; offers natural coverage; suitable for all skin types
• What could improve: Leaves some residue on fingertips

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_{Original image byGlamourtester Brigitt Earley}

It’s no surprise this SPF sold out immediately following its launch earlier this year. (Don’t worry: Sephora is once again fully stocked!) Not only does the face sunscreen surpass expert recommendations, thanks to 14.28% non-nano zinc oxide that offers broad-spectrum SPF 40 protection, but it also boasts a long lineup of skin nourishers. Vitamin C and rice extract offer antioxidant and blue-light protection, plus noticeably brighten the complexion, while peptides and Hydroviton 24 work to moisturize and give skin a firmer, plumper appearance.

Our testers liked the slight tint, noting the fair-medium shade (they also offer a medium-deep shade) expertly matched their skin tone early in the season when they didn’t have a tan and later once they were already rocking a bronze glow. The formula does feel ever-so-slightly greasy upon application, so you have to spend a little bit more time rubbing it in for full absorption, but the payoff is a worthy one. “It’s so hydrating and gives my dry skin the perfect dewy glow,” one tester told us.

Type: Lotion / Active ingredient: Zinc oxide / SPF: 43 / Size: 1.7 oz. / Water-resistant: No

• What we love: Comes in two shades; great for dry skin; fragrance-free
• What could improve: May not be suitable for oily skin

Save on the best mineral sunscreen with these Sephora promo codes.

_{Original image byGlamourtester Brigitt Earley}

It’s increasingly simple to find a mineral face SPF to incorporate into your skin-care routine, but still relatively difficult to find a great sunscreen lotion for the body. So many of the larger-format sunscreens and sprays that simply function as a sun-blocker offer no additional benefits that you’d look for in skin-care products. Worse, the vast majority have that telltale sunscreen smell or leave behind some sort of sticky residue or white cast. Saint Jane Beauty to the rescue.

Yes, this sunscreen has the SPF 30 broad-spectrum protection you need, but it also boasts the skin-nourishers you want in a daily body lotion. (Yep, derms say you need head-to-toe sun protection every day!) In addition to zinc oxide, the ingredient list includes vitamins A, C and E, which work to visibly brighten dark spots and strengthen the skin barrier. Passionflower also helps keep skin nice and supple, while green tea soothes and smooths. We’re big fans of the texture, but the slightly floral scent is a nice touch—as is the gorgeous floral packaging.

Type: Lotion / Active ingredient: Zinc oxide / SPF: 30 / Size: 4 oz. / Water-resistant: No

• What we love: Great scent; suitable for all skin types; formulated with both sun protection and skin care in mind
• What could improve: We wish the tube was bigger, especially for the price

Save on the best mineral sunscreen with these Sephora promo codes.