The 17 Best Mineral Sunscreens That Won't Irritate Sensitive Skin

For a hint of apricot- and pearl-infused glow, you'll want to give Hero Cosmetics' Force Shield Superbeam Sunscreen SPF 30 a whirl. This zinc oxide-based face sunscreen nourishes skin with brightening niacinamide and kakadu plum (which is rich in antioxidants) — a dream team for dry skin — without feeling sticky or greasy.

P.S. If you have acne-prone, oily skin or simply prefer to skip the glowy finish, you can't go wrong with the original Force Shield Superlight SPF.

Isdin's Eryfotona Actinica Ultralight Emulsion SPF 50+ might cost a pretty penny, but according to Kavita Mariwalla, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in West Islip, New York, it's worth the splurge. At the heart of this formula are plankton-derived photolyase enzymes, which she previously said "improve DNA damage after exposure to UV light" — while everyone can use this, you can tell why it might be an especially ideal option for someone treating substantial sun damage. Also in the mix is vitamin E to repair barrier damage and guard against free radicals.

Adeline Kikam, DO, a board-certified dermatologist based in McAllen, Texas, is a big proponent of recommending brown-skin-friendly sunscreens, one of which is EltaMD UV Elements Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 44. This moisturizing, hyaluronic acid-spiked formula doesn't leave a white cast and is a great option for sensitive skin. "It doesn't contain any dye and is both fragrance-free and paraben-free, which is important for skin of color — as irritation can lead to hyperpigmentation," Dr. Kikam explains. She also notes that the tinted formula is oil-free and noncomedogenic, which is ideal for acne-prone skin.

Summer Fridays' ShadeDrops SPF 30 Mineral Milk Sunscreen feels more like a serum than sunscreen — and that's largely due to skin-nourishing ingredients such as hydrating squalane and antioxidant-rich vitamin E. This lightweight formula glides across your face like a dream, disappearing in seconds, and leaves a natural — not too dewy, not too matte — finish.

It's no secret Allure editors are huge fans of Supergoop sunscreens, but if you're looking for a mineral-based alternative to a crowd favorite like the Readers' Choice Award-winning Unseen SPF (which contains chemical filters), Supergoop Matte Screen SPF 40 is perfect for you.

The slightly tinted formula glides onto skin like butter to give it a matte, airbrush-like finish that minimizes the appearance of pores and excess shine. Vitamin E-rich argan oil provides quick-absorbing moisture without unnecessary grease, while a combination of 17 percent zinc oxide and 0.7 percent titanium dioxide provides all-day broad-spectrum protection.

Dr. Kikam also recommends Sun Bum's Mineral SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Face Lotion, which is ultra-lightweight for even the most humid of summer days and leaves a comfortable, matte finish. Her best tip? "It helps to apply in layers for buildable coverage and even application," she says, adding that you'll see a "very minimal whitish tint that fades away after a couple of minutes." So, be a little patient.

Another plus? This shea butter-infused sunscreen lotion also works great as a makeup primer, saving you an extra step.

Kavita Mariwalla, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in West Islip, New York, recommends Colorescience's Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield SPF 50 for easy, on-the-go application — especially over makeup. This convenient, self-dispensing brush shields skin with all-mineral UV filters and adds a dose of hydration, thanks to hyaluronic acid powder. Four shades, ranging from Fair to Deep, make reapplying sunscreen (every two hours or so) a piece of cake.

Kenneth Howe, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, previously told us that zinc oxide sunscreens provide sufficient protection against blue light. The Best of Beauty-winning Dermalogica Invisible Physical Defense SPF 30 features smaller, non-nano zinc oxide particles, which means the lightweight fluid goes on totally sheer and not chalky at all. Very ideal. And sensitive skin types, rejoice because the formula is also spiked with nourishing green tea and soothing mushroom to keep skin happy and redness at bay.

Dr. Kikam says that Cotz's Flawless Complexion SPF 50, which has up to 20 percent zinc oxide, was a huge winner in her Brown Skin Friendly (BSF) report card on Instagram, and you'll understand why…right now. "It has one of the nicest textures I've ever seen in a sunscreen," she says, calling out its "very lightweight, buttery, and creamy texture with a sheer-to-satin finish." No need to worry about any potential balling-up action, either.

Dr. Kikam also confirms that this moisturizing, peach-tinted formula rubs in super easily — no white cast insight — and is great for both dry and oily-prone (since it's oil-free and non-comedogenic) skin types alike.

We count Korean sunscreens as among some of our very favorite choices and the Suntique I'm Safe For Sensitive Skin SPF 35 is no exception. This extra-gentle, titanium-dioxide-based formula checks off all of the boxes: no fragrance, white cast, or greasy film. In fact, you can even use it on your baby or child without an ounce of concern. Calming ingredients like centella asiatica (also known as cica or tiger grass) and aloe leaf extracts round out this moisturizing UV shield.

For people with sensitive skin who want to err on the side of utmost caution, it doesn't get much better than Cetaphil's Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen SPF 50. The hypoallergenic, zinc-oxide-infused formula calms skin and locks in moisture — thanks to ingredients like vitamin E and allantoin — for a matte, nongreasy finish with each application. It's even water-resistant for up to 80 minutes for all of your beach/pool days.

In addition to providing SPF 30, Farmacy's Green Defense Daily Sunscreen SPF 30 may guard against potentially harmful blue light emissions — i.e. visible light radiating from all of the screens we use on the regular — with the addition of marigold and black chokeberry extracts, which form a weightless shield of protection. On a separate note, this stuff plays spectacularly under makeup and doesn't leave a white cast on darker skin tones.

You can thank K-beauty for Thank You Farmer's Sun Project Shimmer Sun Essence SPF 30, which looks and feels more like a luminous primer than a sunscreen. The formula is thin, glides on easily, and is laced with hydrating shea butter and spot-brightening niacinamide. Honestly, our only qualm is the frustration of wanting to simultaneously drench ourselves in it and conserve it for as long as possible.

Consider this Drunk Elephant's tinted take on the brand's Allure Best of Beauty-winning original SPF. The Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense SPF 30's creamy formula feels immediately hydrating, spreads easily, and leaves a glowy finish without a hint of sunscreen smell. Caveat: It only comes in one shade. However, the beige-y hue sheers out to be surprisingly versatile and works on a range of skin tones — especially medium to deep shades, where it imparts a luminous glow, not a chalky veil.

Biossance's Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 doubles as a cooling, velvety-smooth primer — a primer that never cakes or makes skin feel tight, we might add. In fact, it's spiked with super-moisturizing squalane to keep skin supple and hydrated throughout the day. "This is a wonderful sunscreen for those with sensitive skin who need extra hydration," Mamina Turegano, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New Orleans, stands behind this one, calling the sheer formula "a favorite for a number of years now."