Best Mineral Sunscreen 2024
Hello, beautiful creatures! Today I’m sharing the best mineral sunscreen 2024 with you. Last year, I started on a journey to find the best mineral sunscreen for me and Dave. I have a short but detailed list of requirements on what makes a mineral sunscreen good.
Everything purchased by me and tested over a two month period of time.
What I’m Looking For in my SPF
My short but specific list of mineral sunscreen requirements:
- must be 100% mineral spf
- must be SPF 50
- must not cause breakouts
- must work under makeup
- must be cruelty-free
It’s been challenging to find a mineral sunscreen that meets all of those requirements. Many of them are chalky and won’t blend out on my skin. Others are lacking a good lacking shade range. And some don’t work under makeup.
Affordability
My last requirement, and this is the one I’ve had to be the most flexible about, is affordability. My go-to facial SPF for years was Canmake Mermaid Skin SPF 50++++, which I would purchase for $11-$13 a bottle during a sale, and it’s around 40 ml. Nothing else I’ve looked at has been as inexpensive as Canmake.
About My Skin
I’m 45 years old with dry skin. My skin tone is very fair neutral to muted cool yellow. I find my best foundation matches in neutral, neutral cool, and muted yellow undertones. So many complexion products are made too saturated, and they turn me orange or pink.
Prequel Sun Barrier Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++
Shown above is the Prequel Sun Barrier Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++, swatched on my fair skin. This mineral SPF has a very fair, cool-toned pink undertone to my eyes. It does not leave a white cast when blended out.
Prequel Sun Barrier Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ Ingredients
Active Ingredient:
Zinc Oxide 18.0%
Inactive Ingredients:
Water (Aqua), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diisooctyl Succinate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Cetearyl Olivate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Sorbitan Olivate, Bisabolol, Pongamia Pinnata Seed Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate, Lauroyl Lysine, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Arachidyl Alcohol, Silica, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Behenyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Arachidyl Glucoside, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetyl Alcohol, Tin Oxide, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Sorbitan Oleate, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Mica (CI 77019), Iron Oxides (CI 77499, CI 77491).
I had such high hopes for Prequel Sun Barrier Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++! I love that this spf is mineral, spf 50 PA++++, does not cause break outs, doesn’t leave a white cast, and is cruelty free. Sadly, it does not work well under makeup for me and Dave also has issues with it. Quite frequently, it pills up and leaves little residue by the perimeter of my face near the temples, and Dave experiences it pilling up on him as well, which surprised him.
If we could get the Prequel Sun Barrier Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ to not pill up and work well under makeup, it would be my top choice. This mineral SPF is insanely affordable at $22 for 1.7 fl oz / 50 ml.
Unfortunately, no matter how I adjusted my skin care routine, I could not get this product to stop pilling up on my skin, which is why I’ve given up on this product. However, I’ve had friends who purchased it, loved it, and didn’t experience the pilling.
Colorescience Sunforgettable Flex SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Fair
Colorescience Sunforgettable Flex SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen in Fair, swatched above on me. Astute Hex Squad members noticed that the shade Fair appears slightly peachy, almost peachy-pink versus my skin. However, Fair is desaturated enough that it will work with my very fair neutral to muted cool yellow skin tone. It blends in well enough with my face and works well under makeup. I feel comfortable wearing this on its own without makeup too.
See me wearing Colorescience Sunforgettable Flex SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen in Fair!
Colorescience Mineral Sunscreen Ingredients:
Active Ingredients:
Zinc Oxide 12%
Inactive Ingredients:
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone, Isododecane, Propanediol, Caprylyl Methicone, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Tridecyl Salicylate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Trilaureth-4 Phosphate, Dimethiconol/ Propylsilsesquioxane/ Silicate Crosspolymer, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(trimethylsiloxy)silylethyl Dimethicone, Mica, Polyester-1, Maltodextrin, Sodium Chloride, Bisabolol (Levomenol), Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp (Silver Ear Mushroom) Extract, Allantoin, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Isoceteth-10, Zein, Hexylene Glycol, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Silica, Caesalpinia Spinosa (Tara) Fruit Pod Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Sprout Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Aluminium Hydroxide, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499).
Colorescience Sunforgettable Flex SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen in Fair is SPF 50, does not turn me orange, does not leave a white cast if it’s blended out properly, and it works well under makeup. It’s $43.20 on sale and $54 when not on sale, making it definitely the most expensive of the mineral sunscreens I tried. It is available in Fair (shown), Medium, Tan, and Deep, which seems to be a very limited shade range.
Colorescience Sunforgettable Flex SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen takes the longest and is the hardest to blend out of all these options, which is why Dave doesn’t prefer it. He still prefers it to the Prequel option though.
Live Tinted Hueguard Skin Tint SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum in 9 Light
Initially, I was deeply disappointed with Live Tinted Hueguard Skin Tint SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum in 9 Light. I bought it without having ever seen swatches because it was available early on Ulta’s website for Diamond and Platinum members, and they hadn’t uploaded swatch photos of each shade. Shade 9 Light Neutral is what I chose based off the shade description. I was afraid that shade 10 Light Cool would be pink toned, and the last thing I need is another pink-toned complexion product.
Shade 9 Light Neutral is the right undertone for both of us, but sadly much deeper than my skin tone or Dave’s. That said, it works well under makeup for me. And if I could stand to leave the house with my face and neck several shades darker than the rest of my body, it would be wearable on its own. Dave has experimented with using this on his face and neck for Zoom meetings and it definitely gives him a healthy bronzer glow that isn’t orange.
Live Tinted Hueguard Ingredients:
Active:
Zinc Oxide 9.5%.
Inactive:
Allantoin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Bisabolol, Buddleja Davidii Callus Extract, Butyloctyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, C13-15 Alkane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Coco-Caprylate, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Glycerin, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Seabuckthorn) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Iron Oxides, Isoamyl Laurate, Lecithin, Methylpropanediol, Phenylpropanol, Physalis Pubescens Fruit Juice, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Silica, Silica Silylate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Tocopherol, Water/Aqua, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Xanthan Gum.
Live Tinted Hueguard Skin Tint SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum is available in 10 shades for $42 for 40 ml / 1.35 fl. oz. It’s SPF 50, does not turn me orange though it gives me a faux tan, does not leave a white cast, and it works well under makeup. In the future I would try purchasing shade 10 to see if it’s a better fit for my skin tone.
Kinship Self Reflect Sport Sunscreen SPF 60
My favorite of the best mineral sunscreen 2024 group is the Kinship Self Reflect Sport Sunscreen SPF 60!
Self Reflect Sport Sunscreen SPF 60 Ingredients
Active:
Zinc Oxide 24%.
Inactive:
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyloctyl Salicylate, C13-15 Alkane, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Nut Extract, Lactobacillus/Acerola Cherry Ferment, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Phytosphingosine, Coconut Alkanes, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Triethyl Citrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Rhizome Oil*, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Cholesterol, Water, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol.
*Certified Organic.
Kinship Self Reflect Sport Sunscreen SPF 60 is my unicorn of best mineral sunscreen 2024. Number one, it’s affordable at $30 for 1.7 oz / 50 g. Second, it has ceramides in it for strengthening the skin. Third, it’s very hydrating and easy to apply on my dry skin. Dave doesn’t need to use a separate moisturizer with it at all. Depending on what serum I use, I don’t need to use a separate moisturizer with it. Fourth, I love that Self Reflect SPF 60 is SPF 60, as I’m looking for maximum SPF coverage to protect my fair skin. Fifth, it’s sweat and water resistant up to 80 minutes. Sixth, it’s Leaping Bunny Certified cruelty-free and vegan. Seventh, 50% of the tube is made from recycled packaging.
I appreciate that it’s not tinted to match my skin tone, since that seems to be very difficult for companies to do well. I love being able to blend it out and once all the white cast is gone, I know it’s blended out enough.
Ranking the Mineral SPFs
Here’s my rankings of the Best Mineral Sunscreen 2024. My rankings are based on how the product performed on my skin and how well the product matches my six requirements – Mineral SPF, SPF 50 or higher protection, must not cause breakouts, must work under makeup, must be cruelty-free, and would like it to be affordable.
- Kinship Self Reflect Sport Sunscreen SPF 60 – $30 for 1.7 fl. oz / 50 ml
- Live Tinted Hueguard Skin Tint SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum – $42 for 1.35 fl. oz. / 40 ml
- Colorescience Sunforgettable Flex SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen – $43.20 for 1.8 fl. oz. / 56 ml
- Prequel Sun Barrier Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ – $22 for 1.7 fl oz / 50 ml
Final Thoughts
For me, the clear winner is the Kinship Self Reflect Sport Sunscreen SPF 60. It works the best for me under makeup or on its own. It’s very hydrating, which my dry skin appreciates. Dave has a normal skin type, and when he uses this he does not use a separate moisturizer at all. While not the cheapest option of the mineral sunscreens that I’ve tried, it definitely performs the best for my dry skin and works the best for me under makeup reliably.
We both appreciate how easy it is to blend out Kinship Self Reflect Sport Sunscreen SPF 60, as we put SPF on multiple times a day since we spend time outdoors walking and playing with the girls. Dave and I use Coola Classic Body Organic Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 for our body SPF.
What do you think of my picks for the best mineral sunscreen 2024? Are there any mineral sunscreens you want to recommend? Let me know!
I went on a sunscreen journey 2022-23, because avobenzone was driving my eyes nuts. I had some success with Blue Lizard (mineral), but the winner was LaRoche Posay Anthelios 50 (chemical, Canadian formulation). I have normal skin but live in a dry environment, and it works as a moisturiser for me under makeup. If only LRP would make an SPF lip balm!
The only reason I don’t buy the LaRoche Posay is their cruelty-free status. I’ve had several vegan friends swear by LaRoche Posay, too! I’ve got dry skin in a humid environment here. It sounds like you’ve found the perfect one for you!
Certain fatty alcohols (like cetyl). And almost all sunscreens, chemical or otherwise, have them. With chemical sunscreens, the avobenzone causes photocontact dermatitis, but I also get it on my neck and inner thighs with mineral sunscreens.
That is so upsetting! Have you looked at sunscreens that are formulated in the EU? I’m wondering if their different ingredient standards might help alleviate some issues.
I’ve been having trouble with both Drmtology and Coola because of their fragrance. They seem to be fine when new but after a month or two they smell rancid to me. Does the Kinship have a fragrance?
I don’t really notice a fragrance with it, maybe a slight hint of vanilla, but thankfully no strong fragrance.
So curious about the Kinship sunscreen. Sunscreen always makes me break out or causes contact dermatitis, even the ones that supposedly combat acne.
Oh no! It sucks that you often break out. Do you know which ingredients you’re sensitive to?