Best Mineral Sunscreens (Zinc & Titanium), Rated
A mineral sunscreen protects with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide alone, no chemical UV filters. We score every pure-mineral formula in our catalog on its real ingredient list and rank them below, so you can find the ones that actually wear well.
Your pick
Tap a ray on the sun to add a quality.
Finish … ▾
Moisture … ▾
Filter type Mineral ▾
Origin … ▾
| Product | Total ▼ | ☀️ | ☢️ | 🤧 | 👻 | 🔥 | 🪨 | 🔴 | 🍄 | 👕 | 💧 | ✨ | 💄 | 🌊 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85 | Good | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Light | Matte | Good | Not resistant | |
| 85 | Good | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Light | Matte | Good | Not resistant | |
| 85 | Good | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Light | Matte | Good | Not resistant | |
| 85 | Good | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Light | Matte | Good | Not resistant | |
| 85 | Good | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Light | Matte | Good | Not resistant | |
| 85 | Good | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Light | Matte | Good | Not resistant | |
| 85 | Good | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Safe | Medium | Light | Balanced | Good | Not resistant | |
| 85 | Good | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Light | Matte | Okay | Not resistant | |
| 85 | Good | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Medium | Balanced | Balanced | Good | Not resistant | |
| 85 | Good | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Safe | Medium | Light | Matte | Good | Not resistant | |
| 85 | Good | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Safe | Medium | Light | Matte | Good | Not resistant | |
| 85 | Good | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Light | Balanced | Good | Not resistant | |
| 85 | Good | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Safe | Medium | Light | Balanced | Good | Not resistant | |
| 85 | Good | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Safe | Medium | Light | Balanced | Good | Not resistant | |
| 85 | Good | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Safe | Medium | Light | Balanced | Good | Not resistant | |
| 85 | Good | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | High | Low | Hydrating | Dewy | Okay | Not resistant | |
| 84 | Good | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | High | Low | Balanced | Balanced | Okay | Not resistant | |
| 84 | Good | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Medium | Light | Balanced | Good | Not resistant | |
| 84 | Good | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | High | Low | Balanced | Balanced | Okay | Not resistant | |
| 84 | Good | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Medium | Light | Matte | Good | Not resistant |
What to know about mineral sunscreens
Mineral filters sit on top of the skin and are well tolerated, which is why they are the usual pick for sensitive or reactive skin and for children. The trade-off is cosmetic: zinc and titanium can leave a white cast and a heavier feel than a modern chemical formula.
Not all mineral sunscreens are equal. The amount of zinc, whether the particles are coated or nano, and the surrounding base all change how it looks and feels. Our scores read those signals, so pair this with No white cast or Lightweight to skip the chalky ones.
Frequently asked questions
Are mineral sunscreens better for sensitive skin?
Often, yes. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are non-irritating for most people and zinc is soothing, so mineral formulas are a common choice for reactive skin. The bigger irritation risks in any sunscreen are usually fragrance and high alcohol, which we score separately.
Do all mineral sunscreens leave a white cast?
No. Tinted and well-formulated mineral sunscreens can avoid it. Our white cast score reads the mineral load and any tint or pigment, so you can filter to the mineral formulas that disappear on more skin tones.