The 7 Best Zinc Sunscreens That Offer Full Sun Protection Without Irritating Sensitive Skin

Known to leave a white cast or a chalky residue on the skin, mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (or both) has long had a bad rap. However, there are many new mineral sunscreens on the market that have overcome their reputation in recent years. “Formulas are improving dramatically on this front as technology advances,” says Geeta Yadav, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology—and while you can opt to use chemical sunscreen (which are often lighter-weight and offer a more transparent finish), mineral sunscreens may be a more suitable option for some people. “It’s less likely to irritate sensitive, reactive, or acne-prone skin types,” says Dr. Yadav, making it suited for those who want a sunscreen for sensitive skin.

Whether you opt for a physical or chemical sunscreen, SPF is an important step in any skin-care routine to protect against harmful sun rays, and the “best” sunscreen is an option that you’ll actually want to apply—and reapply—year-round. Fortunately, there are many zinc sunscreens that fit the bill, promising broad-spectrum protection with the minimum recommended amount of SPF 30, and if you’ll be exposed to water, sweat, or humidity, offer adequate water resistance. Plus, most of the options ahead won’t make you look like Casper the Friendly Ghost.

Best sunscreens with zinc, at a glance

• Best for sensitive and acne-prone skin: Blue Lizard, Sensitive Face Mineral Sunscreen, $18
• Best hybrid: EltaMD, UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, $43
• Best for oily skin: Supergoop!, Mineral Matte Sunscreen SPF 40, $40
• Best tinted: Kosas, DreamBeam Silicone-Free Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40, $40
• Best stick: Neutrogena, Ultra Sheer Mineral Stick, $15
• Best spray: Baby Bum, Sunscreen Spray SPF 50, $16
• Best powder: Colorescience, Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield SPF 50, $69

What is mineral sunscreen?

Mineral or physical sunscreens are typically formulated with the ingredients zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or a combination of the two)—and they’re currently the only safe and effective sunscreen actives, per the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, working to physically block the sun’s harmful rays. As New York-based board-certified dermatologist Shari Marchbein, MD, FAAD, previously told Well+Good, “Mineral sunblocks put a layer of protection on the skin like a shield, so the sun’s rays literally bounce off of it.”

Benefits of zinc sunscreen

A major benefit of zinc sunscreen—or any mineral sunscreen, for that matter—is that it offers sun protection the moment you apply it on your skin, while chemical varieties must soak into the skin anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes before they can effectively protect against the sun, says Dr. Yadav. Another benefit is that mineral sunscreen is usually well tolerated by people with sensitive or acne-prone skin. “Physical sunscreen is typically quite gentle, and those who have very sensitive or acne-prone skin and experience irritation or breakouts when using chemical SPF find that they don’t have negative reactions to physical formulations,” she says.

Disadvantages of zinc sunscreen

Conversely, a major disadvantage to using zinc oxide sunscreen is that it can leave a white cast on the skin’s surface. “Some mineral sunscreens can appear white or gray on deeper skin tones, but there are many formulas these days that blend well into darker complexions,” says Dr. Yadav. She adds that there are mineral SPFs that come in tinted versions, many of which contain iron oxide. Sunscreens with iron oxide not only provide cosmetic coverage, the ingredient is also thought to protect against visible light exposure that may cause hyperpigmentation.

What to look for when shopping for a face sunscreen with zinc

Broad-spectrum protection with SPF 30 (or higher)

Firstly, it’s important to select a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection, which “provides protection from both UVA and UVB rays, which are damaging to the skin,” says Dr. Yadav, with at least SPF 30—anything less won’t cut it, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association.

Water resistance

If you’ll be swimming or sweating heavily, consider a water- or sweat-resistant sunscreen. According to Dr. Yadav, “Water- and sweat-resistant formulas are best for those who—you guessed it—spend a lot of time in water or sweat frequently. For example, if you frequently participate in water sports like water skiing or water polo, are very physically active, or work strenuous jobs outdoors.” A sunscreen’s label will indicate if it is water resistant and for how long—and, ideally, you’ll want something that offers water resistance for up to 80 minutes or more, says Dr. Yadav.

Application type

Mineral sunscreens come in various formats, including lotions, sprays, sticks, and powders—and, for the most part, choosing among the available options is a matter of personal preference. Lotions area popular choice, but others might prefer the convenience of sticks or powders. “A lot of people like stick or powder sunscreen for reapplication, and powder especially if you wear makeup,” says Dr. Yadav. Some others might prefer sprays, which can make application a quick and easy process—keeping in mind that you’ll want to use spray sunscreens indoors where factors like the wind won’t disrupt application, says Dr. Yadav.

Shop the best sunscreens with zinc oxide

Can you use zinc sunscreen everyday?

Absolutely. “You can—and should—wear any form of sunscreen everyday, including zinc oxide,” says Dr. Yadav. “Just be sure to thoroughly cleanse your skin at the end of the day.”

What sunscreen has zinc oxide?

Mineral or physical sunscreens often contain zinc oxide as one of its active ingredients—and if you want to be sure that a particular product has the ingredient, simply look at the ingredients list.

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