Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between chemical and mineral sunscreens?
While chemical sunscreens feature UV filters that absorb onto skin, mineral sunscreens sit on the surface of your skin, physically reflecting and scattering “a wide range of UV wavelengths,” as New York City-based, board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD, explains. These wavelengths include UVB rays, which are responsible for sunburns, and UVA rays, which cause longer-term issues like hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and skin cancer.
According to Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, “Chemical-free sunscreens should only contain zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide as their active ingredients.” (It’s important to note that hybrid formulas exist and contain the aforementioned ingredients plus chemical-based sunscreen compounds, so always triple-check the ingredients label.)
Who should use mineral sunscreen?
“Chemical sunscreens can be irritating and allergenic for some folks,” explains Dr. Mudgil. And it turns out that “some folks,” according to board-certified dermatologist Corey L. Hartman, MD, based in Birmingham, Alabama, is a whopping “25% of all people,” he told Allure. If that statement rings true for you, it’s time to consider a physical sunscreen with non-chemical shields. They reduce the risk of irritation to practically zero, due to “organic, inert, and hypoallergenic” formulas, Dr. Mudgil explains. Incidentally, sunscreens that don’t contain chemical protectants are generally healthier for coral reefs. (In fact, Hawaii banned the sale of products with chemical filters oxybenzone and octinoxate altogether.) However, take the term “reef-safe” with a grain of salt, as it’s not regulated.
Meet the experts
- Sherry Backman, a cosmetic chemist based in Brattleboro, Vermont
- May Hall, DO, a double board-certified dermatologist based in Asheville, North Carolina
- Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Shari Marchbein, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and medical director of Mudgil Dermatology in New York City
- Morgan Rabach, MD, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai in New York City
- Anetta Reszko, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Jane Yoo, MD, a dual board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon based in New York City
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best mineral sunscreens, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
We have the highest standards for sunscreens—keep reading for a formula that suits your needs and preferences:
