So, which mineral body sunscreen is best for you? Read on for the picks that dermatologists most recommend, ranging from drugstore gems to French-pharmacy classics and a Best of Beauty award-winning sunscreen that smells like sunbaked sand and coconut milk. In short, there’s a mineral pick for everyone under the sun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: Vacation Mineral Lotion SPF 30
Why we love it: When a brand’s all about sun care—that hydrates and soothes, to boot—you know Allure editors will flock to it like birds of a feather. Just one of many editor faves, Vacation’s Mineral Lotion SPF 30 pairs zinc oxide with hydrating ingredients that soothe the skin during (and after) sun exposure, such as allantoin and cucumber. Shea butter and niacinamide join in to lock in moisture until the sun goes down. Plus, the application is easy-breezy, perfect for vacations or poolside lounging days. “This formula is smooth and lightweight, blending into the skin easily,” Dr. Hartman attests.
“This is not your typical mineral sunscreen; this is an elegant lotion that happens to have SPF 30! It goes on oh-so smooth, like an expensive moisturizer—no dragging, pilling, or goopiness. I’ve been using mineral sunscreens (formulas that are far more utilitarian than this one) for years, and while this lotion does leave an immediate whitecast, in just a few minutes it fades away to a very minimal cast on my medium-tan skin. At the beach, the formula is thin and silky enough that sand doesn’t get caught up in it like the usual hyper-thick mineral sunscreens—it’s such a subtle but lovely plus of using this product.” —Shanna Shipin, shopping director
- Type: lotion
- SPF Rating: 30
- Key Ingredients: zinc oxide (15.5%), aloe vera leaf juice, shea butter, cucumber fruit extract
- Fragrance: fragrance-free
Best Scent: Sol de Janeiro Rio Radiance SPF 50 Body Sunscreen
Why we love it: A 2024 Best of Beauty award winner, Sol De Janeiro Rio Radiance SPF 50 Body Sunscreen quickly won over Allure editors with its beach-day-in-Brazil-like scent—but it’s not just notes of warm sand, ylang ylang, and coconut milk that make the sunscreen a standout. The glow-boosting lotion—infused with mica to leave the skin with a luxe, out-of-office glimmer—also protects the skin with 20% zinc oxide, an SPF of 50, and antioxidant-packed pongamia seed extract. Oh, and that soft-to-the-touch finish? There’s capuaçu butter to thank.
“Yes, this is a great mineral sunscreen that rubs in pretty easily and doesn’t leave too much of a white cast. But more importantly, it smells so good that I get multiple compliments on the scent anytime I wear it to the beach.” —Kara McGrath, content director
- Type: lotion
- SPF Rating: 50
- Key Ingredients: 20% zinc oxide, niacinamide, pongamia seed extract, capuaçu butter
- Fragrance: Sol de Janeiro’s Cheirosa 87, a mix of coconut milk, solar tuberose, ylang ylang, creamy vanilla, and amber essence
Best for Dry Skin: EltaMD UV AOX Mist Broad Spectrum SPF 40
Why we love it: We typically don’t recommend spray sunscreens as a primary option for the face, but let’s be real: “Spray sunscreens are easy to apply on the body, and I like EltaMD UV AOX Mist for that reason,” says Dr. Hartman. “The lightweight mist applies all over with a 360-degree spray—just make sure you rub the mist into the skin to ensure full coverage.” (Do you sometimes miss that spot between your shoulder blades? This is the solution.) Another Best of Beauty Award winner, the misty sun protection blends zinc oxide with coconut fruit extract, glycerin, and aloe vera for a soothing and hydrating feel. What’s more, the sunscreen lotion can be used on the face and the body, and it has vitamins C and E to defend against signs of premature aging.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
“Body sunscreen is somewhere on my imaginary list of ‘things I don’t enjoy putting on my body.’ And as much as I like lounging around indoors, I can’t always avoid my limbs soaking up the sun. (I’m not a beach girlie but park picnics? I’m there.) Now that we’ve set the stage for my discontent, EltaMD’s mist is promising. It doesn’t leave as strong of a white cast as others I’ve tried and it feels super hydrating. Post-application, I look dewy but not greasy—it’s a fine line! While it takes a good amount to rub in my hefty spritzes (one downside of mists), I find that I don’t mind the experience, since the formula itself is top-notch.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- Type: mist
- SPF Rating: 40
- Key Ingredients: 14% zinc oxide, glycerin, aloe vera, coconut fruit extract
- Fragrance: fragrance-free
Best Drugstore: Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Shanna Shipin using the Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50Shanna Shipin
Why we love it: A budget-friendly option from Down Under, “Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 is a great drugstore option for anyone looking for a lotion versus a cream sunscreen,” Dr. Hartman says. In his experience, the Australian product can leave a slight white cast on some skin types. But in general, “It applies easily and absorbs into the skin,” he says. Justine Park, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles, praises the product’s versatility. “I highly recommend this product for all skin types and all ages,” she says. “It is all-mineral and economical, as well as highly protective with SPF 50.”
Tester Ffedback from Shipin
“The MVP of my summers. This sunscreen can be used by everyone in my family: me with my dry skin, my daughters with their eczema-prone skin, and my husband with his extremely oily skin. It smooths over your body like a lotion, with some nice emollients and a ribbony feel‚ not like a typical chalky mineral sunscreen that you have to squeeze out of the bottle and rub into skin. Be warned: It will leave a white cast. That’s not something I care about, and honestly, it alerts me to spots I’ve missed on myself or my kids, but it could be a dealbreaker for some people. Something I haven’t loved is their rebrand—it’s had no impact on the product performance, of course! But it’s a bit stuffy-looking, and I preferred the playful and bright packaging of yore. The sunscreen is so good that I’ll simply have to live with it, though!” —Shanna Shipin, shopping director
- Type: lotion
- SPF Rating: 50
- Key Ingredients: titanium dioxide 8%, zinc oxide 10%
- Fragrance: Fragrance-free
Best for Sensitive Skin: Eau Thermale Avène Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Why we love it: “This is a good one for sensitive skin types,” Dr. Park says of Eau Thermale Avène’s Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50. Avène incorporates its trademark thermal water in the formula, which provides calming properties.” Indeed, the French pharmacy classic is pleine de (full of) minerals and antioxidants that soothe and protect the skin. With a seal of recommendation from the Skin Cancer Foundation, the SPF 50 sunscreen also has tocopherol for antioxidant protection and niacinamide to help even out the skin tone.
“I picked up the Avene Mineral Suncreen SPF 50 while on the beach in Cannes and it’s been a staple ever since. It blends easily into the skin, feels weightless for hours and doesn’t leave a sticky residue.” —Kassidy Silva, director of social media
- Type: lotion
- SPF Rating: 50
- Key Ingredients: zinc oxide 12%, tocopherol, niacinamide
- Fragrance: fragrance-free
Best for Sporty Days: Supergoop Play 100% Mineral Lotion SPF 50
Why we love it: “Supergoop! Play 100% Mineral Lotion SPF 50 offers broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection with a non-nano zinc oxide, making it gentle on both skin and the environment,” Dr. Hartman says. “The formula is water and sweat-resistant, which makes it ideal as a body sunscreen while swimming or sweating.” He adds that the lotion has a lightweight texture that blends easily into skin with no trace of a heavy or greasy feel.
- Type: lotion
- SPF Rating: 50
- Key Ingredients: 18% zinc oxide, 2.3 titanium dioxide, tucuma butter, bisabolol
- Fragrance: fragrance-free
Best Antioxidant Protection: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Gentle Lotion Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
La Roche-Posay
Anthelios Gentle Lotion Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Why we love it: “I’ve always been a fan of the La Roche-Posay Anthelios sunscreen line, which has antioxidant technology that helps protect skin from free radical damage,” Dr. Hartman says. (He’s referring to the brand’s Cel-Ox Shield Technology, which combines antioxidants with photostable UVA/UVB filters.) “La Roche-Posay Anthelios Gentle Lotion Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 has a smooth formula that applies easily and absorbs quickly into the skin without feeling heavy or greasy,” Dr. Hartman says. He adds that it’s suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and stands up to sweating and swimming.
- Type: lotion
- SPF Rating: 50
- Key Ingredients: 5% titanium dioxide, 15% zinc oxide, silica, vitamin E, lipo hydroxy acid (LHA)
- Fragrance: fragrance-free
Best Glowy Finish: Volition Getaway Glow SPF 30 Radiant Sunscreen
Volition
Getaway Glow SPF 30 Radiant Sunscreen
Why we love it: Enriched with moisturizing sweet almond and jojoba oils that leave the skin supple and aglow, it’s no wonder Volition’s tropical-scented physical sunscreen leaves your skin, well, supple and aglow. The lightweight, lightly tinted sunscreen has a silky feel on the skin and a dose of vitamin E to help protect the skin barrier. The sunscreen is also water-resistant and reef-safe, helping it live up to its name as a shoo-in for a beachy getaway. (Just be sure to reapply after taking a dip.)
- Type: lotion
- SPF rating: 30
- Key ingredients: 10% zinc oxide, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, vitamin E
- Fragrance: vanilla, almond, jasmine
Frequently Asked Questions
Is mineral sunscreen good for the body?
Sunscreen is not just for the face, and dermatologists recommend using a full shot glass worth of sun protection on the body, and many prefer mineral formulas above and below the neck. “Mineral sunscreens are recommended for the body because of their safety, efficacy, and minimal risk of causing allergic or toxic reactions in the skin,” Dr. Park says. “Mineral sunscreens are also generally considered reef-safe and safer for the environment.”
What are the downsides of mineral sunscreen?
Though the mineral sunscreen category has evolved—with silky formulas that dissolve into all skin tones becoming easier to find—it still has outliers that uphold its old reputation. Choose the wrong mineral body sunscreen, and: “It can be difficult to apply, leave a hazy or greyish cast to the skin, and stain clothing and other items,” Dr. Park says.
Meet the experts
- Corey L. Hartman, MD, founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama
- Justine Park, MD, a Los Angeles-based, board-certified dermatologist specializing in pediatric and cosmetic dermatology
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 body 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.
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