Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site. Why Trust Us?
YOU NEED TO be wearing sunscreen every time you step outside—full stop. I’ve heard the excuses: SPF moisturizers clog your pores and cause acne, or the chemicals are bad for the environment. None of this is an acceptable defense against wearing sunscreen, as mineral sunscreens offer protection without any of these drawbacks.
Best Mineral Sunscreens
Ingredients in chemical sunscreens—like oxybenzone and octinoxate—absorb UV rays like a sponge before they can damage the skin. On the other hand, the SPF ingredients in mineral sunscreens—like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide—sit on top of the skin and act as physical barriers that stop the sun’s UV rays from harming the skin’s surface, which is why mineral sunscreens are often referred to as sunblock.
To be clear, both mineral and chemical sunscreens are safe and effective, but there are some added benefits to mineral-based sunblock. For one, unlike chemical sunscreens, mineral sunscreens are inherently broad-spectrum, meaning they offer full protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Mineral sunscreens are also kinder to sensitive skin, because they work by creating a physical barrier on the skin, rather than penetrating it.
Plus, mineral SPFs tend to be more eco-friendly, as they use natural, non-toxic ingredients, like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. They’re safer for marine life and don’t present the same threat to coral reefs as the ingredients in most chemical sunscreens. And, whereas chemical sunscreens usually require some waiting time before sun exposure, mineral sunscreens offer immediate protection.
What to Consider
Key Ingredients
Mineral sunscreens are popular for what is not in the formula (i.e., oxybenzone and octinoxate). But like all skincare products, they’re only as good as their featured ingredients. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide will be common components for UV defense, but consider other skincare needs as well. Look for moisturizing agents like green tea or jojoba oil, and hydrating ingredients like vitamin E, or skin calmers like niacinamide.
SPF Level
Whenever you’re stepping outside, SPF is non-negotiable. But to ensure proper protection, you need at least SPF 30, as this will shield you from 97 percent of UV rays. For 98 percent protection, grab an SPF 50. Anything above that is largely unnecessary, but not unwelcome. SPF 70 will get you to 98.5 percent protection, and you won’t find sunscreen that goes much higher than that. Also worth noting that the sun hits hardest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., so it’s especially important to load up before heading out during this four-hour window.
Water Resistant
Are you planning to dive into the water while you’re at the beach or enjoying a pool day? You’ll need a mineral sunscreen that is water resistant, ideally for 80 minutes. You’ll find some solid options that are only water-resistant for 40 minutes, but they’ll need to be reapplied more often. Similarly, if you’re heading outside for a long run, hike, or any other kind of exercise, look for an SPF that is also sweat-resistant. These tend to go hand-in-hand with water-resistant options, so the time tables for effectiveness are often the same.
How We Selected
After researching the highest-rated and best-selling options on popular e-commerce sites, like Amazon or Walmart, and conferring with fellow Men’s Health writers and editors on which sunblocks they prefer, I landed on over 20 mineral sunscreens worthy of trying. Over the last year, I put these options to the test through a slew of activities, from hitting the beach to working out to going about my daily commute.
During which, I paid attention to how each felt, how quickly they absorbed, how long they lasted, and how they performed under the glaring sun. I also considered each product’s key ingredients, price point, and long-term effectiveness. Following 12 months of trial, I can confidently say that these are the seven best mineral sunscreens for men to wear in 2025
Pros
Quick absorbing- Leave no cast or residue
- Fragrance-free, safe for sensitive skin
- Small size is great for travel
Cons
- Over $40 for 1.7 oz
Atwater is one of the best skincare brands for men going right now, so it’s no surprise that they’ve mastered the mineral sunscreen. This formula packs a powerful, natural trio of vitamin C to brighten skin, green tea to soothe redness or irritation, and pomegranate extract to combat free radicals, aka the harmful molecules brought about by UV rays that can damage your skin, to keep skin healthy and youthful. Of course, there is also a hefty dose of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to further build a defense against UV rays. The cream absorbs quickly into the skin in seconds and avoids the most common drawback of mineral sunscreens by leaving no white cast or greasy residue.
Gentle on skin without any irritating ingredients or fragrance, it's safe for all skin types, including sensitive skin like mine. I’ve worn this on long, mid-day hikes, and it is truly sweat-resistant for 80 minutes. Plus, the sunscreen never smudged or ran into my eyes (the biggest nuisance of any SPF). It’s quite literally perfect for any activity under the sun. The only drawback is the 1.7 oz size, which is certainly on the smaller end of the spectrum, especially at this price point. However, this TSA-approved size and slim design (along with the versatile function) have made this sunscreen my go-to for travel.
Read More: Best Sunscreens
| Key Ingredients | Vitamin C, green tea, pomegranate extract |
|---|---|
| SPF Level | 50 |
| Water Resistant? | Yes, 80 minutes |
Best Mineral Sunscreen for Sport
Freaks of Nature Peak Performance SPF 50
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Reef safe and compliant with Hawaii’s Reef Compliant Act 104
- Packaged in 100 percent recycled material
- Never runs or smudges
Cons
- May leave cast on darker skin tones
Leave it to a legendary surfer like Kelly Slater to create the best performing SPF for sport—waterbound or otherwise. His brand Freaks of Nature’s mineral sunscreen goes on thick but absorbs fast, delivering strong sun protection and minimal cast. Whenever I go for a jog, I reach for this. It never leaks down my face, despite my excessive sweating, and holds up in any weather or environment. This SPF is designed for active lifestyles, waterproof for up to 80 minutes, and sweatproof for 40. It’s gentle on skin and fragrance-free for those sensitive.
Plus, a little goes a long way, and you only need a dime-sized amount to cover your entire face. Also, if you lean mineral sunscreen for environmental reasons, this eco-conscious design will stand out among the rest. It’s reef safe, like most mineral options, and comes in 100 percent recycled plastic.
Read More: Best Sunscreens for Working Out
| Key Ingredients | Neossance vegan shark squalane, b-silk vegan spider silk protein |
|---|---|
| SPF Level | 50 |
| Water Resistant? | Yes, 80 minutes |
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Pros
- Lightweight
- Largest container on this list at 6 oz
- Sulfate- and paraben-free
Cons
- Not ideal for darker skin tones, will leave cast
If you’re sensitive to any lingering residue or cast, Oars and Alps SPF 50 spray will be the mineral sunscreen for you. This is the lightest mineral-based SPF I’ve tested. Sure, part of that is the fact that it’s a spray and lighter by nature, but even by spray standards, this stuff sinks into the skin fast. Plus, the expansive spray allows you to reach large areas of your body at once, including harder-to-reach spots you might struggle to cover with cream sunscreen. As someone who can barely touch his toes without shaking, this is the only sunscreen I use to hit most of my back, shoulders, and other difficult-to-reach spots without straining.
Not to mention, it never feels sticky or oily, even when it’s somewhere I can’t reach to properly rub in. Add in hydrating vitamin E and moisturizing jojoba oil and sunflower seed oil, and there is no better mineral spray. That being said, it’s not ideal for those with darker skin tones and may leave a white cast if not thoroughly rubbed in.
| Key Ingredients | Vitamin E, jojoba oil, sunflower seed oil |
|---|---|
| SPF Level | 50 |
| Water Resistant? | Yes, 80 minutes |
Pros
- Smooth application
- Non greasy
- Small container is great for travel
Cons
- Only water resistant for 40 minutes, needs to be reapplied more often if in water
- Nearly $70 for 1.7 oz
One of the biggest reasons to wear sunscreen is the anti-aging benefits, or rather, avoiding the age-accelerating impact of UV rays. Unprotected sun exposure can result in a slew of skin aging consequences, including emerging dark spots, advancing wrinkles and fine lines, and uneven tone. This mineral option from Mural takes the anti-aging motivations to another level. In addition to classic mineral UV defenders zinc oxide and titanium oxide, the formula features a polymer matrix, which further boosts the barrier these ingredients create to block rays from penetrating skin.
In terms of application, this SPF feels more like a moisturizer or night cream than sunscreen with a smooth, silky consistency that soothes skin as well as it protects it. Of course, at nearly $70 for 1.7 ounces, Murad’s mineral sunscreen is certainly a luxury option. For a budget alternative, grab Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer SPF, as it’ll offer similar benefits at a fraction of the price.
| Key Ingredients | Polymer matrix, glycerin |
|---|---|
| SPF Level | 50 |
| Water Resistant? | Yes, 40 minutes |
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Best Value Mineral Sunscreen
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Liquid Mineral Sunscreen SPF 70
Pros
- Under $15
- High SPF level of 70
- Non-comedogenic
Cons
- Not water resistant
Despite having the highest SPF on this list at 70, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer has the lowest price. Not to mention, outside of sprays like Oars and Alps SPF 50, this is the lightest mineral sunscreen available. Powered by skin-friendly antioxidants and hydrating vitamin E, it feels silky smooth going on and protects for hours. The formula is also non-comedogenic, so if you’re prone to acne, this is the mineral sunscreen for you.
I wear this whenever my skin’s acting up to avoid making the situation any worse, as sunscreen often does (because it can clog pores), and I’ve never experienced new pimples after. Mineral sunscreens are typically more expensive than chemical options, and at just under $15, you won’t find a more effective mineral SPF than Ultra Sheer.
| Key Ingredients | Glycerin, vitamin E |
|---|---|
| SPF Level | 70 |
| Water Resistant? | No |
Pros
- Long lasting
- Great travel size
- Smooth application
Cons
- $40 for 1.7 oz
- Only water resistant for 40 minutes, needs to be reapplied more often if in water
If there is one mineral sunscreen that can double as a daily moisturizer, it’s this offering from Malin and Goetz. It features common mineral ingredients like vitamin E to hydrate skin and zinc oxide for UV protection, but it also contains niacinamide to smooth and soften skin. I often wear this in lieu of my daily moisturizer on especially sunny days, and my skin looks and feels just as hydrated as when I use a standard cream. Sure, it has a smaller container (1.7 ounces) for its price, but this stuff is elastic. You could get weeks—and possibly longer—out of one tube.
| Key Ingredients | Niacinamide, vitamin E |
|---|---|
| SPF Level | 30 |
| Water Resistant? | Yes, 40 minutes |
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Best Mineral Sunscreen for Dry Skin
Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Now 21% Off
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- Fragrance free
- Packaged with at least 35 percent recycled materials
- Under $15
Cons
- Tube is prone to leaking
Aussies know the outdoors, so when they make sunscreen, they go all out. This mineral sunscreen is sweat and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, perfect for adventuring. But unlike other irritating SPFs, this offering from Blue Lizard is hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and paraben-free. It’s specifically formulated to protect sensitive skin with gently soothing aloe vera for added moisture. As someone with sensitive and dry skin, I’ve never had any reaction when wearing this sunscreen, and the aloe does wonders to smooth out dryness. Plus, it’s packaged in a tube made of at least 35 percent recycled materials, so it’s gentle on skin and the earth.
| Key Ingredients | Aloe vera |
|---|---|
| SPF Level | 50 |
| Water Resistant? | Yes, 80 minutes |
Shop More of Our Favorite Sunscreens
Best Reef-Safe Sunscreens | Best Sunscreens for Sensitive Skin | Best Sunscreen Sticks | Best Zinc Oxide Sunscreens | Best Moisturizers With SPF | Best Drugstore Sunscreens | Best Sunscreens
Sean Zucker
Grooming and Commerce Editor
Sean Zucker is the Grooming and Commerce Editor at Men's Health. He brings over half a decade of experience covering health, wellness, and lifestyle. When Sean's not writing about hair products, you can find him running for exercise, or toward the nearest food truck.
