Once the preserve of surfers and earnest mums on beach duty, mineral sunscreen has slipped into the skincare mainstream. It’s no longer just a health store oddity or a compromise for the ultra-sensitive. These days, mineral formulas are sleek, wearable, and — crucially — effective without the usual side effects of their chemical counterparts.
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide might sound more periodic table than poolside essential, but they’ve earned their place. Rather than absorbing UV rays like chemical filters do, mineral sunscreens sit on the skin’s surface and deflect them.
Of course, the category is still something of a minefield. Some formulas leave you looking like you’ve lost a battle with a chalkboard. Others promise a radiant finish yet leave you feeling greasy.
We spoke with Catarina Oliveira, co-Founder of Herbar, to get the lo-down on all things mineral sunscreen.
What is the difference between mineral and chemical sunscreen?
“Mineral sunscreens (also called physical sunscreens) use natural minerals like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to form a protective layer on the skin’s surface,” explains Oliveira. “They work by reflecting and scattering UV rays. Chemical sunscreens contain organic compounds (like Tinosorb or octocrylene) that absorb UV rays, convert them into heat, and release them from the skin.”
How do I know whether mineral or chemical sunscreen is right for me?
“It depends on your skin type, lifestyle, and personal preferences,” Oliveira heeds. “If you have sensitive or reactive skin, mineral sunscreens are often better tolerated. If you want something lightweight, invisible, and easier to apply, chemical sunscreens might suit you better. If you spend long hours outdoors, I’d always recommend SPF and a physical shield like a cap, sunglasses, and staying in the shade.”
What are the benefits of using mineral sunscreen?
According to Oliveira, mineral sunscreen is “gentle on sensitive or acne-prone skin.” It’s also “Great for sensitive eyes, people who sweat a lot, or runners, as they don’t tend to sting.”
Like chemical sunscreens, mineral options still provide “broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays,” however, according to Oliveira, they also “work immediately upon application – there’s no need to wait 15–20 minutes.” The expert also mentions that many mineral sunscreens are “often considered reef-safe and environmentally friendly.”
Are there any drawbacks?
“Mineral sunscreen can leave a noticeable white cast, especially on deeper skin tones. It may also feel heavier or less “invisible” compared to chemical sunscreens,” Oliveira says. Naturally, Herbar’s Sun Shield SPF30 (coming to online stores in August) is a lighter than usual mineral sunscreen that’s “so incredibly fluid you’d think it’s a serum rather than an SPF,” according to Oliveira.
Oliveira also mentions that it’s a myth that mineral sunscreen lasts longer than chemical sunscreen, “it needs to be reapplied just as often, especially with sweat or water exposure.”
Can mineral sunscreen be worn under makeup?
“Yes, absolutely. Many mineral sunscreens are now formulated to sit well under makeup without pilling. I personally prefer a lightweight, non-greasy formula and let it settle for a minute before applying my makeup. The one we formulated for Herbar works as a beautiful primer under makeup and also offers a radiant glow that leaves the skin looking incredibly healthy,” says Oliveira.
Without further ado, we’ve tried, tested, and tinted our way through the lot to bring you the mineral SPFs worth your time – and your T-zone.
Shop below
Best mineral sunscreens at a glance:
- Best for a lightweight texture: Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Broad Spectrum SPF 30 - £36, Cult Beauty
- Best for a glow boosting, primer-style mineral SPF for sensitive skin: Pai British Summer Time Glow SPF 30 40 ml - £34, Pai
- Best for a purse-friendly price tag: The INKEY List SPF30 Sunscreen 100% Mineral UV Filters 50ml - £15, The INKEY List
- Best for no white cast: Clinique Mineral Sunscreen Fluid for Face SPF30 - £30, Clinique
- Best for fragrance: Caudalie Vinosun Very High Protection Lightweight Cream SPF50+ - £25, Cult Beauty
- Best for skincare-SPF hybrid: Ultra Violette Clean Screen Fragrance Free Sensitive Facial Skinscreen SPF 30 - £32, Cult Beauty
- Best for a science-backed formula: SkinCeuticals Sheer Mineral UV Defense SPF 50 - £45, SkinCeuticals
- Best for pure luxury: Augustinus Bader The SPF 50 - £105, Augustinus Bader
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I wear SPF50 every single day, and these are my top picks: From gels to mineral sunscreens
Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Broad Spectrum SPF 30
The suncream space is constantly innovating and brands like Summer Fridays are making it easier than ever to apply - so you have no excuse not to be wearing SPF every single day.
This mineral formulation has been created to be so lightweight that it washes over the skin in much of the same way as a serum. No casts, pilling or balling up, it sits nicely onto the complexion, nourishing with the combination of vitamins, antioxidants and chamomile (known for its soothing benefits), while also protecting against UVA/UVB rays.
Buy now £36.00, Cult Beauty
Pai British Summer Time Glow SPF 30 40 ml
Pedigreed in sensitive skin care, Pai’s hybrid sunscreen delivers broad-spectrum protection and instant radiance thanks to natural reflective pigments. It acts as SPF and primer in one, feels non greasy, and supports sensitive skin with cotton extract and mica. Reviews note the glow is lovely, with clear vegan, reef-friendly credentials
Buy now £34.00, Pai
The INKEY List SPF30 Sunscreen 100% Mineral UV Filters 50ml
For a no-fuss, no-frills approach to skincare, look no further than The Inkey List and its range of products that do exactly what they say on the tin. Straightforward and efficacious, this 100 per cent mineral product gives UVA and UVB protection, while also being vegan, cruelty-free, reef-safe and free from any fragrance.
The product can be used on all skin types including those with sensitive skin and is non-comedogenic so works for blemish-prone too. The combination of zinc oxide with the added bonus of Shea butter ensures that while it’s defending your complexion from free radicals, it’s nourishing it at the same time.
Buy now £15.00, The INKEY List
Clinique Mineral Sunscreen Fluid for Face SPF30
This mineral sun cream from Clinique is great for those who find traditional chemical suncare irritating - literally and in terms of their often cumbersome textures. It is an oil-free formula that uses titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to deflect the sun rays as they reach you (chemical sun creams absorb the rays).
The product itself is extremely lightweight and melts into the skin on application without leaving a white cast behind. It dries quickly and then you can apply makeup on top with no issues of flaking or clumping.
Buy now £30.00, Clinique
Caudalie Vinosun Very High Protection Lightweight Cream SPF50+
Applying this cream from Caudalie feels like a luxurious treat. Gone are the days when SPF was an arduous chore, this suncare product makes light work of the application process. The formula is made up of the French label’s signature ingredient - grape-derived polyphenols - to soothe skin.
It will sit undetected under your makeup but still packs a powerful protective punch, shielding from UVA and UVB rays. It’s not sticky on the skin and is free from any nasties and so, it’s non-toxic to marine life. The product has a beautiful but subtle floral fragrance.
Buy now £25.00, Cult Beauty
Ultra Violette Clean Screen Fragrance Free Sensitive Facial Skinscreen SPF 30
Best for: skincare-SPF hybrid
A suncream without the laborious thick texture, Ultra Violette is leading a revolution in the SPF space with formulas that are a dream to apply. The Clean Screen Fragrance Free Sensitive Facial Skinscreen is packed with kind-to-skin ingredients that nourish while shielding from the harmful sun’s rays.
It was created with sensitive skin types in mind as well as blemish-prone with a lightweight texture that shouldn’t cause breakouts. The product is free from artificial fragrance and alcohol and instead includes soothing broad-spectrum shielding titanium dioxide.
Buy now £32.00, Cult Beauty
SkinCeuticals Sheer Mineral UV Defense SPF 50
A mineral sunscreen that is best used after a good shake, this lotion is so lightweight it’s practically undetectable when applied. The pleasant texture and skin-friendly ingredients mean this is ideal for any skin type, even the highly sensitive. It’s water-resistant, has excellent high protection, and is matte in finish, making it a great all-rounder.
Buy now £45.00, SkinCeuticals
Augustinus Bader The SPF 50
Best for: Pure luxury
As sun exposure is one of the leading causes of skin ageing, it feels only right that legendary label Augustinus Bader (known for its anti-ageing The Cream and The Rich Cream) has expanded its skincare selection to include an SPF 50. The facial product that feels a long time coming provides broad-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays to prevent and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
While acting as a shield, the cream combats redness, enhances glow and results in long-lasting hydration.
Buy now £105.00, Augustinus Bader
