While we all understand the importance of sunscreen, it’s still underutilized. This is perhaps most likely because some formulas are downright unpleasant: feeling heavy on the skin and leaving behind a sticky, white-cast when applied. But not all sunscreens feel this archaic – some versions, like Japanese sunscreens, are beautifully lightweight, impressively formulated, and include ingredients that can even better skin during the day. We discover the best mineral sunscreen—with no white cast or oily residue in sight.
What Is Mineral Sunscreen?
There are two types of sunscreen: physical and chemical. What makes a sunscreen chemical or physical is the active ingredient in the formula that provides UV protection. Physical sunscreen, also known as mineral or natural sunscreen, has ingredients that block and scatter the rays (like a shield) before they penetrate your skin, notes the Skin Cancer Foundation. This is different from a chemical sunscreen, which absorbs the UV rays. Mineral formulas often include, as the name implies, minerals as the active ingredient, like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Mineral sunscreen also protects your skin from the sun as soon as it’s applied—you do not need to wait for it to take effect like you do with chemical sunscreens.
Mineral Sunscreen Benefits
The best mineral - or natural sunscreen - has an enthusiastic fan base because of its numerous benefits. According to some, these are the reasons why mineral sunscreen is better than chemical.
For Sensitive Skin
Chemical sunscreens can be irritating for some users with sensitive skin because of the chemical active ingredients (like avobenzone and octisalate). Additionally, the fact that chemical sunscreens work by absorbing UV rays (like a sponge) can trigger dark spots in those prone to melasma. That said, the Skin Cancer Foundation stresses that both chemical and physical sunscreens have been tested and proven to be safe and effective.
It's Effective Immediately
Mineral sunscreens begin protecting the skin from the moment of application, while chemical sunscreens need time to be absorbed and become activated (around 15 to 20 minutes) to provide full protection.
Why (Some) Mineral Sunscreens Leave a White Cast
One general con associated with mineral sunscreen is the white cast that can linger after applying the product. This traditionally comes from the minerals titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which naturally have an alabaster tone to them. However, this is a problem of yesteryear. Today’s modern mineral sunscreens are wildly advanced, with formulas that are tinted or perfected so any skin color can happily swipe on the SPF without the visible and unappealing white cast.
How to Apply Mineral Sunscreen
Outdated mineral sunscreen formulas required a lot of maneuvering, having to massage in the white-tinted formula for 30 to 60 seconds to get it to blend into the skin. However, today’s advanced formulas blend in seamlessly and instantly.
Ensure that you’re using the full recommended amount of sunscreen though. To get proper coverage, aim to use about a nickel-sized dollop to cover the face and neck—usually the equivalent of two finger lengths of the product (meaning you’ll apply the SPF directly onto the length of two full fingers to achieve the correct amount).
Incorporating a broad-spectrum, SPF 30+ mineral sunscreen into your daily skincare ritual is the perfect morning routine, just apply it after your daily moisturizer. If spending any additional time in the sun, reapply sunscreen every two hours.
How to Remove Mineral Sunscreen
Removing mineral sunscreen can take extra planning because the formulas tend to be more water- and sweat-resistant. This is additionally important for days spent outside when sunscreen is continuously reapplied. The best, gold-standard way to remove mineral sunscreen is the double cleanse method. As we’ve learned previously, the double cleanse involves two products: one oil-based formula that melts stubborn makeup and sunscreen and one cleanser that matches your skin type. This two-step methodology is so effective because the first product cuts through surface-level impurities, while the second formula cleanses and conditions the skin.
Do All Mineral Sunscreens Leave a White Cast?
No! While many mineral sunscreens do indeed leave a visible white cast on the skin, many updated formulas do not. Cosmetic chemists have worked tirelessly to create SPF iterations that not only protect from UVA and UVB rays, but also blend into all skin tones seamlessly. The trick to finding your perfect undetectable mineral sunscreen is testing out formulas at your local beauty shop—or try one formula that has been tested tirelessly and perfected already…
A Mineral Sunscreen That Doesn't Leave a White Cast
Reintroducing Tatcha’s newly repackaged mineral sunscreen: The Silk Sunscreen. The SPF 50 sunscreen provides a weightless feel and a sheer, radiant finish with a light-as-air liquid formula. Featuring silk extract, patented mineral filters, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and Tatcha’s proprietary Hadasei-3, the Silk Sunscreen blends skin-bettering ingredients with powerful sun protection for an unmatched superior experience.
The climate-adaptive formula is sweat-resistant, non-comedogenic (to minimize breakouts), and gentle on sensitive skin. It also instantly hydrates and evens skin tone over time with niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3 that helps visibly firm and even skin tone and redness) and hyaluronic acid (which helps skin retain moisture for a more hydrated, plump appearance).
However, the broad-spectrum coverage is perhaps the most impressive aspect of The Silk Sunscreen. The formula features the breakthrough, patented, and trademarked KLEAIR™ zinc oxide, which is over two times more effective at protecting against free radicals than standard zinc oxide.* This means it’s better at protecting against UVA rays, which are shown to cause fine lines and wrinkles and accelerate the loss of skin elasticity.
The packaging has received a modernized update, made out of recyclable polypropylene with a flake-free bottle—no second guessing or measuring required.
Suncare meets skincare with a light-as-air formula, a radiant, sheer finish, and powerful photoaging protection? The future of mineral sunscreen is here, all you need to do is swipe it on.
*KLEAIR™ is under license from Solésence LLC
