16 Best Zinc Oxide Sunscreens, According to Lab Testing

Colorescience's formula was the best pure zinc oxide option in the GH Beauty Lab's latest test on body sunscreens. A tester (who swears by zinc oxide sunscreen!) said this one “spread on a lot easier and did not have the thickness" of the traditional zinc oxide formulas. Others who tried the product praised its texture, saying it "melted into their skin" and that it had a "silky, powdery finish." However, this sunscreen is a pricey pick.

Clearly, Colorescience knows how to make a good SPF, with two of its formulas earning stellar marks in our body and face sunscreen testing. It took the top spot amongst mineral SPFs in our Lab's latest face sunscreen test, proving to absorb quickly into skin and not leave any residue behind. You can also confidently wear this under makeup; it performed well for not interfering with makeup and not irritating or stinging the face or eyes.

A tester raved that it "went on easily, absorbed quickly and left no greasy feeling. Best face sunscreen I have ever used." Many others shared they'd continue to buy this product, but also noted that it can be a bit runny. It will appear white when you first apply the sunscreen, but the white cast completely disappears after rubbing in fully.

Smooth on Beauty Lab test winner Hawaiian Tropic's lightweight lotion that feels like a milky serum. Testers agreed that it's easy to apply, non-drying and rinses off easily at the end of the day. While they enjoyed the pump bottle style and product's tropical scent, they wish the size could be a bit larger, especially for a body sunscreen. "I loved that it had such a pleasant fragrance and didn't leave a white cast on my body," a tester shared.

Made with a mix of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide sunscreen actives, Sun Bum's formula won't irritate even those with reactive skin. It earned a near-perfect score in GH Beauty Lab testing for not causing redness or irritation, plus doesn't run into eyes or interfere with makeup. "Love how light and silky it is," a tester noted. "It made my skin look healthy and soft." However, it may leave a white cast on skin.

At just around $15, Bubble's tinted SPF is not only a great bargain buy, but also a favorite in GH Beauty Lab evaluations. "The initial texture of the product is like a hydrating lotion and it absorbs quickly," Wnek shared. She especially likes it for combination or oily skin due to its matte radiant finish, though it can be used on any skin type. "The color coverage is sheer to light, and the finish is not oily," she added. "I was taken aback at how dark it is upon application, but the final shade is similar to my skin tone."

Prominent New York City dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross has his own skincare line, which includes this mineral SPF. In our latest Lab tests, it earned top scores for overall satisfaction and making skin feel hydrated, thanks to the inclusion of hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and aloe.

Some testers didn't even need to apply moisturizer with this sunscreen: "It made skin feel very soft," one said, while others added that the lotion melted in and made "dry skin feel like it was actually moisturized." It also won't leave a white cast, film or residue on the skin. However, double-check that you've secured the cap, as testers reported it doesn't attach well to the tube.

Though all mineral sunscreens are ideal for sensitive skin as they tend to be less irritating than chemical ones, reach for this Bare Republic formula in particular if you're particularly concerned about sensitivity. In Lab testing, it earned perfect scores for being gentle on skin and not irritating skin.

The affordable buy was loved by testers for its shine-free finish as well, with many noting it did not feel tacky or sticky on skin either. A tester said that it didn't make their face break out and "it doesn't dry out my face either," they added. Shake the bottle before use; otherwise the lotion can come out too liquidy.

Coming in at a great price, Ulta Beauty's mineral sunscreen is top-tested in our Beauty Lab. Earning top scores for its texture and "light, clean" scent, it delivers a silky feel that doesn't feel tacky or oily. The formula is difficult to rinse off at the end of the day, though, which some testers disliked but some weren't bothered by ("I'd rather have a sunscreen that stayed on," one said).

Multiple testers noted how nicely it absorbed: "I really liked the texture and how it absorbed into my skin. It felt more like a lotion than a typical sunscreen," one shared.

Made of pure zinc oxide, Isdin's lightweight, silky formula was one of the winners in the GH Beauty Lab facial sunscreen tests. It earned high scores for effectively preventing sunburn and wearing well under makeup. Though expensive, the liquid didn't feel greasy or sticky on skin, and left it looking shine-free. Testers also found it was mild on skin and eyes. "It absorbed quickly and didn't leave a white cast or clumps on my face," one reported. The emulsion must be shaken before application, but testers found directions unclear.

MDSolarSciences' sunscreen came out on top for best mineral formula in recent Beauty Lab testing, earning a perfect score for not causing any stinging or irritation and top scores for not staining or rubbing off on clothing. Made with both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, "It absorbed quickly and didn’t leave a tacky 'sunscreen' texture on my skin," a tester reported. However, it tends to separate, so you'll need to give it a good shake.

Worried about your zinc oxide sunscreen leaving a white cast or being difficult to remove from skin? Fear not, this sunscreen from Babo Botanicals addresses both of those classic issues. The Beauty Lab test winner earned the second highest score for rinsing off easily at the end of the day, while testers commented that it "leaves no white film" and "goes on easier than other zinc products."

It's also made with naturally-derived plant ingredients and doesn't contain fragrance. However, the downside is that testers did not love its natural, clay-like scent. One tester said it smells "like Play-Doh."

The lip balm counterpart to one of our top-tested mineral sunscreen lotions, swipe this compact zinc formula on lips all day long to maintain sun protection. Its small size makes it convenient for travel and on-the-go, and it contains vitamin E and shea butter to nourish lips. Although it may leave a white cast on lips, reviewers say it's not as stark as other mineral lip balms they've tried. "It goes on like a regular lip balm without the weird texture," wrote one reviewer. While it's not flavored, "it also doesn't have a weird taste like other ones tend to have," the reviewer added.

K-Beauty lovers, opt for this Dr. Jart mineral pick. The Lab test winner came out on top for providing a shine-free finish, not causing bumps or breakouts, and not causing visible redness or irritation; this makes it great for oily or acne-prone skin. Testers also loved the citrus scent of this sunscreen. "This product absorbed quickly, and I love that it left my face looking smooth and matte," one shared. Note that this sunscreen isn't water-resistant, though.

While it's common to find a chemical sunscreen spray, it's much rarer to see a mineral option. This mineral spray was loved by GH Beauty Lab testers, who agreed that it's easy to apply and liked its vanilla coconut scent. According to Lab evaluations, it also scored well for not stinging or irritating skin, not feeling greasy or drying and protecting skin from sunburn. "It sprayed very evenly," one tester shared. Another said, "I did not get sunburned, despite spending hours in the strong Colorado sun!" Take note that users didn't find it fast-absorbing and felt it left a white residue on skin.

At under $15 per bottle, this affordable, fragrance-free and hypoallergenic sunscreen from Coppertone uses pure zinc oxide as its active ingredient. All zinc oxide and titanium dioxide sunscreens are reef safe, but thanks to its super simple formula that's free of dyes and fragrance, you'll feel extra safe using this at the beach.

A full 100% of GH Beauty Lab testers reported it didn't sting or irritate, and they also found it moisturizing and easy to apply. "Did not leave a white residue once it finally absorbed and dried," a tester reported. "Skin did not feel dried out like some sunscreens." However, some had some qualms with the SPF, including that it felt greasy or tacky and didn't absorb well.

A top-tested face sunscreen in our Lab, this SkinMedica mineral SPF performed very well all across the board. It earned the highest overall scores for not feeling oily or greasy on skin, not interfering with makeup, providing shine-free finish and not leaving a film or residue on skin. Testers found it didn't leave a white cast and could easily do their makeup after application, saying that "the white cast faded in a minute, leaving me free to do my makeup as usual fairly soon after." However, some testers found the formula a little thick and difficult to spread on skin.