I'm Fussy About SPF, But These Mineral Sunscreens Are Perfect for Sensitive Skin

I've tried them all, and they are exceptionally great for sensitive skin.

Best mineral SPFs graphic
(Image credit: @eleanorvousden, @bettina_looney)

Hot weather has finally reached the UK, and while we're keen to solidify our summer wardrobe essentials and stockpile ice lollies for the freezer, we're also turning to SPF as the temperatures rise. While we need to wear SPF year-round to protect our skin from ageing (yes, really—it's estimated that UV rays account for around 80-90% of skin ageing), it's particularly important to protect your skin in the spring and summer months as the rays get stronger.

However, finding a great facial SPF can be tricky (perhaps more so than body sunscreens), and not all SPFs are created equal. In fact, there are two kinds of sunscreen that you need to know about: mineral sunscreens and chemical sunscreens. As someone with sensitive skin, I find some chemical SPFs irritate my sensitive eyes, but since converting to mineral SPF, I'm never looking back. So, what are mineral and chemical SPFs, and what is the difference between the two?

Difference Between Mineral Sunscreen Chemical Sunscreen

Bettina Looney sunbathing while holding a fan

(Image credit: @bettinalooney)

"Sun protection filters are classified into ‘chemical' or 'organic’ filters and ‘physical' mineral', or 'inorganic’ filters," says Dr Hiva Fassihi, consultant dermatologist for La Roche-Posay at OneWelbeck Skin Health Allergy clinic.

Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing the sun's UV rays and converting the light to heat, which then dissipates from the skin. This chemical reaction is what gives chemical sunscreens their name. On the other hand, mineral sunscreens both physically block and reflect UV rays from the skin. They're sometimes referred to as physical sunscreens for this reason. "Mineral sunscreen ingredients, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, were previously thought to reflect and scatter UVR and visible light, but more recently, data has demonstrated that mineral sunscreens absorb UVR and reflect visible light," says Dr Fassihi.

Who Are Mineral SPFs Best Suited To?

Chemical SPFs and mineral SPFs both come with their own list of pros and cons, so it comes down to your preferences and skin type.

Chemical SPFs can be problematic for sensitive skin or sting sensitive eyes. Additionally, for those who have melasma (a skin condition that results in stubborn skin pigmentation, which is often exacerbated by the sun and heat), chemical sunscreens can sometimes make this worse, as the conversion of the light into heat can trigger pigmentation. "Mineral filters are chemically inert and are often found in children’s sunscreen formulations. In those with sensitive skin or atopic eczema, mineral sunscreens are better tolerated," says Dr Fissihi.

Not only are mineral sunscreens typically better for sensitive skin, but the ingredients tend to be kinder to the environment, too. You'll often see many mineral SPFs labelled "reef-safe" for this reason. However, there are also some cons when it comes to mineral SPFs. Typically, mineral-based SPFs tend to have ingredients such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. However, these ingredients tend to give sunscreen a white cast, which is the main con of mineral SPFs, particularly so for darker skin tones.

"The problem with ingredients [in mineral SPFs] is that they leave a white residue on the skin and often feel greasy," says Dr Fissihi. Thankfully, mineral SPFs have come a long way and are becoming more cosmetically elegant as formulas develop. "More recently, ‘micronizing’ (making the particles smaller) of these mineral filters has made them less white on the skin and more cosmetically acceptable, however, this process results in mineral sunscreens becoming better at absorbing UVR, but they become much worse at reflecting visible light," says Dr Fissihi.

"It is well known that the ‘blue’ spectrum of visible light can contribute to increased skin pigmentation, especially in individuals with darker skin tones," she says. "This occurs because blue light stimulates melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin (the pigment responsible for skin colour), leading to hyperpigmentation. The effect is often more pronounced and long-lasting in darker skin types." So, if you're looking for a good mineral SPF, Dr Fissishi recommends looking for formulas with iron oxide (which provides a 'tint' to the SPF) to enhance protection against visible light. However, she recommends looking for SPFs that combine both mineral and chemical filters for the best protection. Some of her favourite SPF recommendations include La Roche-Posay UVMune Anthelios Ultra-Light Invisible Fluid SPF50+ (£20), which is a chemical SPF, as well as Jan Marini Physical Protectant Tinted SPF 45 (£58).

Therefore, it's a good idea to try mineral sunscreens before you buy them if you can. Thankfully, formulations have come a long way, and there are now more sophisticated mineral sunscreen formulas that are sheerer and work with all skin tones. Ahead, we've rounded up some of the best mineral sunscreens, tried and tested by us.

The Best Mineral SPFs, Tried Tested

Photo of mineral SPFs on marble table

(Image credit: @eleanorvousden forBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK)
  1. Kate Somerville Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops (£39)
  2. Innisfree Daily UV Defense Mineral SPF (£21)
  3. Supergoop! Protec(tint) SPF 50 Daily Skin Tint (£40)
  4. Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50 (£65)
  5. Heliocare 360° Oil-Free Gel Sunscreen Protector Original SPF 50 (£31)
  6. Ultra Violette Future Fluid SPF 50+ Superlight Mineral Skinscreen (£38)
  7. No7 Future Renew UV Defence Shield SPF 50 (£25)
  8. Beauty Pie Traceless Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen + Primer (£30)
  9. Murad City Skin Age Defence Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Pa++++ (£69)
  10. Beauty of Joseon Daily Tinted Fluid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Pa+++ (£17)
  11. The Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid Dewy Sunscreen SPF 30 (£12)

1. Kate Somerville Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops

Kate Somerville mineral SPF

(Image credit: @eleanorvousden forBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK)

2. Innisfree Daily UV Defense Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

Innisfree mineral SPF

(Image credit: @eleanorvousden forBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK)

3. Supergoop! Protec(tint) SPF 50 Daily Skin Tint

Supergoopp Protec(tint) mineral SPF

(Image credit: @eleanorvousden forBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK)

4. Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50

5. Heliocare 360° Oil-Free Gel Sunscreen Protector Original SPF 50

Heliocare gel oil-free mineral SPF

(Image credit: @eleanorvousden forBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK)

6. Ultra Violette Future Fluid SPF50+ Superlight Mineral Skinscreen

Ultraviolette mineral SPF

(Image credit: @eleanorvousden forBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK)

7. No7 Future Renew UV Defence Shield SPF 50

8. Beauty Pie Traceless Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen + Primer

9. Murad City Skin Age Defence Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Pa++++

10. Beauty of Joseon Daily Tinted Fluid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Pa +++

11. The Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid Dewy Sunscreen SPF 30

12. Summer Fridays Shadedrops Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Mineral Milk Sunscreen

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Eleanor Vousden
Beauty Editor,Best Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK

Eleanor Vousden is the beauty editor for Who What Wear UK. She was previously deputy editor at Hairdressers Journal, health writer at Woman Home and junior beauty editor at Powder. She has also contributed to Wallpaper and Elle Collections.With a degree in fashion journalism from the London College of Fashion, she has 10 years of industry experience and has been highly commended at the BSME Talent Awards for her work on Powder and also contributed to the title winning Website of the Year at the PPA Awards.Eleanor’s journalistic focus is providing readers with honest and helpful beauty content. She has interviewed celebrity makeup artists, hairstylists and dermatologists throughout her career, as well as celebrities such as Hailey Bieber, Sarah Jessica Parker and Scarlett Johansson.