The 18 Best Zinc Oxide Sunscreens for Your Face, According to Dermatologists

Best Overall

Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen

$18 at Amazon $18 at Sephora View on Innisfree.com

Why We Like It

The Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen checked all our boxes. It's lightweight, didn't leave any white cast, absorbed instantly, and kept our skin feeling moisturized all day long. This is a perfect choice for anyone looking for an everyday sunscreen, even those with sensitive skin. This didn't cause any breakouts with daily use, and it gave us protection without the sticky sunscreen feel.

During testing, application was seamless. This went on smoothly and even provided a great base for makeup. It's non-greasy formula left our skin feeling hydrated without any of the slickness or heaviness you might associate with a typical sunscreen. While this goes on white, we never noticed a white cast after rubbing it in. Plus, it felt like almost nothing on our faces once it soaked in.

This sunscreen spreads easily and absorbs quickly, making reapplication a breeze. Our pale, sunburn-prone skin appreciated the added protection this gave us throughout the day. As an added bonus, this creamy pick has a pleasant cooling sensation when first applied. It also has a fresh scent, which helps hide the sunscreen smell that not everyone loves.

It’s Worth Noting

Honestly, there's not much we didn't like about this sunscreen. Our only complaint is the very slight SPF smell, but it is a sunscreen after all, so we won't knock it for that.

Product Details:

• Type: Cream
• SPF: 36
• Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 2.5%, Homosalate 7%, Octisalate 4.3%
• Size: 1.69 fluid ounces
• Water resistance: None

Best for Oily Skin

EltaMD UV Physical Sunscreen

$44 $36 at Amazon $44 at Dermstore $30 at Walmart

Why We Like It

EltaMD's UV Physical Sunscreen comes recommended by many of the dermatologists we spoke to. It's over the recommended SPF 30, has broad-spectrum protection, and is water-resistant for up to 40 minutes. Plus, it's recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation for daily use.

Major bonus: This formula is lightly tinted, so it won't leave your skin looking like you slathered it with white paint. We loved that this sunscreen gave us a smooth matte finish and helped conceal our oily t-zone. The creamy, lightweight sunscreen was easy to spread and reapply. It was great for touching up our face and soaking up greasiness throughout the day.

This pick is formulated with three types of antioxidants (linoleic acid, quercetin, and thioctic acid), which all help prevent visible signs of aging. And it's free of parabens, oils, and fragrances, making it gentle on those with sensitive skin.

It’s Worth Noting

While this product worked great on oilier skin and on humid, sweaty days, it might not be suitable for normal or dry skin because it can accentuate dry patches. Additionally, this tinted formula only comes in one shade, and the color may not work for darker skin tones.

Product Details:

• Type: Cream
• SPF: 41
• Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide 9%, Titanium dioxide 7%
• Size: 3 fluid ounces
• Water resistance: Up to 40 minutes

Best Drugstore

Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Face Sunscreen

$20 $13 at Amazon $16 at CVS $21 $17 at Walmart

Why We Like It

Neutrogena's Sheer Zinc Face Sunscreen is a lightweight, fast-absorbing everyday SPF that's widely available at many drugstores. It had a pleasant fruity scent and left our skin feeling moisturized and silky smooth.

This sunscreen goes on thick and white, but we were surprised at how quickly it soaked into our face. After a minute or two, we barely noticed we were wearing any sunscreen at all. While it felt a little greasy while applying, in the end we felt Neutrogena's "Dry-Touch" really lived up to its name.

This pick is free of fragrances, parabens, phthalates, and dyes. It was awarded the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance, so you know it's a great option for sensitive skin. The broad-spectrum protection shields your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, plus it won't sting your eyes.

It’s Worth Noting

This sunscreen was difficult to apply over makeup because it's thick and greasy. But it's soft, barely-there finish once absorbed made it work well as a daily sunscreen, and it sat nicely under makeup.

Product Details:

• Type: Cream
• SPF: 50
• Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide 21.6%
• Size: 2 fluid ounces
• Water resistance: 80 minutes

Best Tinted

Jan Marini Skin Research Marini Physical Protectant Tinted SPF

$59 at Amazon View on Janmarini.com

Why We Like It

The Jan Marini Skin Research Marini Physical Protectant Tinted SPF pulls double-duty, providing not only sun protection but also working as a tinted moisturizer. During testing it was easy to rub in, blended well, and evened out our skin tone.

Dr. Geria recommends this because it has high broad-spectrum protection and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Plus, we love that it's tinted. The buildable color blended seamlessly into our skin and prevented that harsh white cast often associated with mineral sunscreens. It also smelled great, with no trace of the typical SPF scent.

The cream also functions as skincare. It's formulated with anti-inflammatory green tea extract and CoQ10, an antioxidant linked to protecting the skin from UV damage, per a study in BioFactors.

It’s Worth Noting

This pick might be a bit greasy for oily skin types, and it felt heavy on our skin. It's only available in one shade, so it might not work for everyone.

Product Details:

• Type: Cream
• SPF: 45
• Active Ingredients: Titanium dioxide 6%, zinc oxide 8%
• Size: 2 fluid ounces
• Water resistance: 80 minutes

Best for Melasma

EltaMD UV AOX Elements SPF

$45 at Amazon $43 at Walmart $45 at Nordstrom

Why We Like It

EltaMD's UV AOX Elements SPF is an oil-free, chemical-free formula that won't clog pores and is excellent for sensitive skin. It's a favorite of board-certified dermatologist Alicia Zalka, MD. She recommends it for those living with melasma—a condition characterized by brown spots and hyperpigmentation from increased sun exposure and/or changes in hormones (like during pregnancy).

If you're looking for a tinted zinc sunscreen that offers a little bit more coverage and doesn't leave a white cast, this one's a great option. It was creamy and moisturizing, and it dries down to a flattering matte finish that worked well as a base for our makeup. It was also easy to reapply, even over a full face of makeup.

This product is tinted, which helps mask melasma pigmentation while protecting skin from damage, Dr. Zalka says, noting that it also helps shield the skin from the high-energy visible light that can worsen the condition. Plus, it boasts hydrating hyaluronic acid to plump skin and prevent it from drying out under the sun.

It’s Worth Noting

The color of this tinted sunscreen is buildable, but it can become too dark for fair skin tones pretty fast.

Product Details:

• Type: Cream
• SPF: 50
• Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide 13.5%, titanium dioxide 4.4%
• Size: 1.7 fluid ounces
• Water resistance: 40 minutes

Best for Dry Skin

CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Face Sunscreen

$15 $14 at Amazon $14 at Target View on Walgreens

Why We Like It

We love Cerave Hydrating Mineral Face Sunscreen because it offers broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection plus nourishing ingredients. During testing, we found it easy to apply, non-greasy, and very moisturizing. It went on smoothly and made our skin feel like silk. We loved how hydrating it was without making us feel greasy. We were even able to forego our regular morning moisturizer on the days we used this!

This formula includes ceramides and niacinamide (a B vitamin) that help add moisture to the skin and maintain the skin barrier. A mixture of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide shields your skin from the sun's rays without irritating it. Plus, this pick bears both the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance and the Skin Cancer Foundation Daily Use Seal of Approval, making it a great choice for sensitive skin.

This pick is affordable and widely available in many drugstores and online, making it a great option for your everyday SPF. But buyer beware: A little goes a long way, and using too much will leave a white cast.

It’s Worth Noting

This sunscreen's slight white cast can be noticeable on tanned or darker skin. It also goes on thicker than other picks on this list, making it unsuitable for wear under makeup.

Product Details:

• Type: Cream
• SPF: 30
• Active Ingredients: Titanium dioxide 6%, zinc oxide 5%
• Size: 2.5 fluid ounces
• Water resistance: 80 minutes

Best for Dark Skin

Unsun Cosmetics Mineral Tinted Face Sunscreen

$29 $28 at Amazon $25 at Nordstrom $21 at Dermstore

Why We Like It

Founded by a woman of color for people of color, Unsun Mineral Tinted Face Sunscreen is wonderful for those with darker skin tones because it's tinted and doesn't leave a ghostly white cast. We loved that it blended so seamlessly into our skin and provided ample hydration.

Unsun is formulated with shea butter and aloe to help moisturize the skin. The product has a thick, creamy consistency that rubbed in quickly and absorbed well. It was hydrating enough that we were able to pass on our usual moisturizer and use this instead.

Major bonus: Unsun's Mineral Tint Face Sunscreen contains iron oxides, which have been shown to protect against high-energy visible light that can cause hyperpigmentation, especially when combined with zinc (like in this sunscreen option), per a study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 

It’s Worth Noting

This sunscreen can easily stain clothing, but it worked so well we didn't mind too much. It can also feel a bit heavy and greasy, so it's not ideal for wearing with makeup.

Product Details:

• Type: Cream
• SPF: 30
• Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide 6.5%, titanium dioxide 5.5%
• Size: 1.7 fluid ounces
• Water resistance: 80 minutes

Best Fragrance-Free

Native Face Sunscreen

$16 at Target View on Nativecos.com

Why We Like It

Fragrance-free SPF like Native Face Sunscreen are great for folks with sensitive skin because even some naturally derived fragrances can cause irritation in certain people. This sunscreen comes in an unscented version that's formulated with simple ingredients, making it a perfect daily sunscreen for anyone with irritation-prone skin.

We loved that this creamy lotion applies smoothly, and it never caused breakouts during testing. While it may take a bit of work to fully rub in, it left us with a glowy sheen throughout the day that made the effort well worth it. And it's truly unscented—we couldn't smell a thing. This pick is made with vitamin E and avocado oil, which naturally moisturize the skin. Another bonus: All Native Sunscreens are compliant with the Hawaii Act 104, which protects Hawaii’s coral reefs.

It’s Worth Noting

This SPF could leave you feeling slightly greasy, so it's not the best choice for oily skin. It also leaves a slight white cast, but we found it easy to adapt our application strategy to minimize it.

Product Details:

• Type: Cream
• SPF: 30
• Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide 20%
• Size: 1.7 fluid ounces
• Water resistance: None

Best Under Makeup

Kosas DreamBeam Mineral Sunscreen

$40 $22 at Sephora $22 at Nordstrom $22 at Nordstrom

Why We Like It

The super-lightweight Kosas DreamBeam Mineral Sunscreen comes in two shades to minimize white cast and even out skin tone. It provided enough coverage that it felt more like using a CC cream than a regular sunscreen, and it left our face looking extra smooth. A little goes a long way, too, so we think it's worth the higher price.

The breathable formula made a noticeable difference in our complexion, evening out our skin tone and minimizing redness. Plus, application was a breeze thanks to the creamy consistency. It felt more like applying a foundation than a mineral sunscreen. It has a barely-there feel, and we forgot we had sunscreen on at all during the day. It also reapplied with no issue, even over makeup.

We loved the glowy sheen this pick gave us, all while keeping us from looking or feeling oily during the day. It sat nicely between layers of skincare and makeup and made a fantastic base for our usual daily makeup application. This sunscreen even comes with an added skincare bonus, since it includes hyaluronic acid and peptides. We could certainly feel the benefits in our skin after a couple weeks of use.

It’s Worth Noting

There wasn't really anything we disliked about this sunscreen. Overall, applying it every morning felt like a treat!

Product Details:

• Type: Cream
• SPF: 40
• Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 21.7%
• Size: 1.3 fluid ounces
• Water resistance: 80 minutes

Best for Glowy Skin

Black Girl Sunscreen Make It Hybrid Sunscreen

$16 at Target $17 at Ulta $16 at CVS

Why We Like It

Black Girl Sunscreen Make It Hybrid left us feeling moisturized and glowing on a daily basis. Its liquidy lightweight formula spread extremely easily on our face and worked well under our makeup. The formula left our skin feeling moisturized but not oily, and it never left any greasy residue behind.

We liked how simple it was to integrate this into our regular skincare routine every morning. It never interfered with our other products or caused any pilling. Used with or without makeup, it gave us a lovely dewy sheen that was even noticeable in photos. It's also packed with powerhouse nourishing ingredients, including aloe, lavender, and shea butter.

It’s Worth Noting

We found that a little goes a long way, providing adequate coverage for darker skin without needing to use much product. That being said, even with minimal product this did take us a bit of extra effort to fully rub in. However, the fact that it left us with no white cast once fully absorbed made it worth it.

Product Details:

• Type: Cream
• SPF: 50
• Active Ingredients: Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 5%, Zinc Oxide 5%
• Size: 3 fluid ounces
• Water resistance: 80 minutes

Best for Sensitive Skin

Dr. Jart+ Every Sun Day Mineral Sunscreen

$40 at Sephora View on Drjart.com $40 at Kohls.com

Why We Like It

The Dr. Jart+ Every Sun Day Mineral Sunscreen is a soothing, skin smoothing pick with a fresh citrus scent, perfect for those with sensitive skin. Once absorbed, we were happy with the matte finish and strong sun protection this SPF 50+ provided for our fair skin. We also appreciated how moisturized our skin felt throughout the day.

When we think mineral sunscreen, we often think of thick formulas that are hard to rub in. This pick, though, was very easy to apply and didn't carry the characteristics of a typical mineral SPF. The creamy lotion was easy to spread across our face evenly, and despite a somewhat tacky feel at first, it absorbed well and didn't leave any sort of grease behind.

It's Worth Noting

This pick has a somewhat tacky feel when first applied, and it left a white cast on our face. We felt the white cast was more noticeable to ourself than others, though, and these drawbacks seemed to be a fair trade off for the high SPF.

Product Details:

• Type: Cream
• SPF: 50
• Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide
• Size: 1.69 fluid ounces
• Water resistance: None
  

Best for Daily Use

First Aid Beauty Mineral Sunscreen

$28 at Target $28 at Sephora $28 at Dermstore

Why We Like It

First Aid Beauty's Mineral Sunscreen is a super lightweight, moisturizing formula that left no white cast behind. It offered a weightless, nearly invisible finish, making it a great everyday pick for wearing on its own or under makeup. It left our skin looking pleasantly dewy without any grease or slickness, and it was easy to reapply. It also sat nicely over the moisturizers and serums we use daily.

This felt lighter on our skin than other mineral sunscreens we've tried, and it didn't dry us out at all. The product is a milky, creamy texture that spread evenly, and needed just a bit of rubbing in to eliminate the lotion's white color. It did feel a tad tacky when we first applied it, but after just a minute or two that feeling went away and the product fully absorbed.

This sunscreen includes nourishing ingredients, including avocado oil and vitamin E, to improve skin hydration and appearance over time. The barely-there feel and ease of use make this a great year-round sunscreen.

It's Worth Noting

We occasionally had issues with the pump on this bottle, but it didn't interfere with our experience enough to outweigh everything we loved.

Product Details:

• Type: Cream
• SPF: 30
• Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 20%
• Size: 1.7 fluid ounces
• Water resistance: None

Best Mattifying

Black Girl Sunscreen Make It Matte Sunscreen

$18 at Ulta View on CVS View on Blackgirlsunscreen.com

Why We Like It

Black Girl Sunscreen's Make It Matte is a great pick for anyone with a darker skin tones looking for a mattifying, fast-absorbing sunscreen. It's easy application was better than we expected from a mineral sunscreen, because it didn't need much rubbing in or time to sink into our skin. The gel formula was different than your usual creamy mineral SPF, and the tinted formula is meant specifically for dark skin.

This is a good lightweight option that worked well for our combination skin. It didn't leave a white cast behind after drying down, and it doubled as a primer under our makeup. It never felt heavy or sticky. Plus, the small tube was easy to carry around for reapplication during the day.

It's Worth Noting

This may not be the best choice for those with dry skin compared to others on our list, because it didn't leave our skin feeling as moisturized.

Product Details:

• Type: Gel
• SPF: 45
• Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 10%
• Size: 1.7 fluid ounces
• Water resistance: 80 minutes

Best Lightweight

Isdin Eryfotona Ageless Tinted Sunscreen

$78 at Amazon $78 $50 at Sephora $78 at Dermstore

Why We Like It

The ultra-lightweight Isdin Eryfotona Ageless Tinted Sunscreen is a fast-absorbing, lightly tinted sunscreen that had a barely-there feel during testing. It's thin formula provided even coverage on the daily, and it layered very well under and over our makeup. We were truly blown away by this pick, because it felt like we had nothing on during the day.

This pick offers pretty light coverage, so while the tinted SPF won't replace your foundation, it will create a natural, weightless finish for everyday wear without any heaviness. The tint was just enough to smooth out our skin and hide any imperfections without going into makeup territory. It's also very buildable, so you can layer up for more coverage (without risking a white cast).

We were also impressed that this didn't settle into any fine lines or wrinkles, making it a great option for mature skin. The sunscreen's texture is very thin, and we found it applied better using a makeup sponge rather than our fingers. Despite this, it created a very even base for makeup in the morning and didn't cause any issues when we reapplied over our makeup.

It's Worth Noting

The thin texture of this formula can be almost watery, requiring a bit more product to be used for even application. While it required a small learning curve, in the end we were glad we took the time to give this a shot.

Product Details:

• Type: Cream
• SPF: 50
• Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 10.7%
• Size: 3.4 fluid ounces
• Water resistance: 40 minutes

Best for Outdoor Workouts

Neutrogena Sport Face Sunscreen

$15 $11 at Amazon $11 at Target $11 at Walmart

Why We Like It

Neutrogena's Sport Face Sunscreen is affordable drugstore option that will stay put during sweaty activities in the sun. It never slipped into our eyes or stained our clothes, no matter how hot and sticky we got outside, and its sweat and water resistance helps ensure it doesn't run or lose effectiveness. Plus, it's high SPF offers ample broad spectrum protection.

This sunscreen didn't have a white cast, even when reapplying multiple times. The product isn't very thick, so application took relatively minimal effort, rubbing in to our face seamlessly and evenly. This formula is creamy and slightly oily to the touch, but overall it didn't leave our skin feeling greasy. You don't have to worry much about scent, either. The mild smell of this SPF didn't linger on our skin for long.

It's Worth Noting

This becomes a little greasy after reapplication, and it wasn't ideal for using over makeup. We also felt that while it's a great drugstore option, it didn't feel as nice as on our skin as pricier picks.

Product Details:

• Type: Cream
• SPF: 70
• Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 15%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 10%
• Size: 2.5 fluid ounces
• Water resistance: 80 minutes

Best Redness Reducing

Summer Fridays ShadeDrops

$36 at Amazon $36 at Sephora View on Summerfridays.com

Why We Like It

Summer Fridays ShadeDrops is a lightweight facial sunscreen that blended well, absorbed quickly, and greatly reduced our redness during testing. This SPF is very lightly tinted and never left a white cast on our fair skin after we rubbed it in. Overall, it felt on par with other similarly priced sunscreens we've used, but with added antioxidants and soothing properties.

This sunscreen has a thin, milky texture that was easy to rub in. It applied evenly and we didn't need much to get full coverage on our face. Once absorbed, it didn't feel like we had much of anything on our face, making it comfortable for day-to-day wear. We found reapplication to be a similar experience, and didn't mind putting it on over makeup throughout the day.

This product has a serum-like texture and doesn't feel greasy like you might expect from mineral sunscreen. We had no issues applying our makeup immediately after we used this, and didn't need to take any time in between layers to let this sink in.

It's Worth Noting

This pick isn't water resistant, and during sweaty activities we felt like it was melting off our face. You'd be better off choosing a sunscreen like Neutrogena Sport Face Sunscreen for more active, sweaty days.

Product Details:

• Type: Mineral Milk
• SPF: 30
• Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 9.4%
• Size: 1.7 fluid ounces
• Water resistance: None

Best for Easy Reapplication

Supergoop! Mineral Unseen Sunscreen

$40 at Sephora $40 at Nordstrom View on Dermstore

Why We Like It

The fast-absorbing Supergoop! Mineral Unseen Sunscreen left no-white cast, just like the chemical version, making application over and under our makeup a breeze. It felt lightweight, and it didn't irritate or break out our fair, sensitive skin at any point during testing. We highly recommend this for daily use, especially for days you're outside a lot and will need to reapply frequently.

This creamy white mineral lotion doesn't look anything like the clear chemical Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen, so we were pleasantly surprised when it still left us with an invisible finish. There was truly no trace of white left after rubbing this in. It mattified our skin and not only looked great on it's own, but was also a perfect base for makeup.

This formula is lightweight and airy, and it fully absorbed into our skin in just a few minutes. We liked how easily it spread on our face and that it wasn't sticky at all. It left our skin feeling soft and we didn't feel like we had a heavy mineral sunscreen on at all, even with multiple applications throughout the day.

It's Worth Noting

There was nothing we didn't like about this sunscreen!

Product Details:

• Type: Cream
• SPF: 40
• Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 17.68%, Titanium Dioxide 1.33%
• Size: 1.7 fluid ounces
• Water resistance: 40 minutes

Best Scent

Vacation Shake Shake

$29 at Ulta $27 at Nordstrom View on Vacation.inc

Why We Like It

The deliciously-scented Vacation Shake Shake smells like candy, absorbs quickly, and was generally fun to apply. It didn't leave a white cast behind, and the yummy scent and easy application process made this a 5-star pick in our book. Plus, while most scented sunscreens don't linger much past application, this sweet, feminine smell lasted for hours.

As an added bonus, our kids loved this sunscreen too. It can be hard to get kids to willingly use SPF, but ours enjoyed helping us with the shaking process to prep this for use. They also loved the sweet smell and how different it was from using a regular sunscreen.

This SPF is very lightweight, thanks to Vacation's ZincWater formula. The liquid-like product gave us plenty of extra moisture and absorbed lightning-fast. All-in-all, it was a perfect choice for applying under and over makeup throughout the day thanks to it's unique feel.

It's Worth Noting

This mineral milk sunscreen is very liquidy and requires a decent amount of shaking (hence the name) before applying. But once we got the hang of it, we found it enjoyable to use.

Product Details:

• Type: Mineral Milk
• SPF: 50
• Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 20.5%
• Size: 1.7 fluid ounces
• Water resistance: None