Ask any doctor and they'll tell you that wearing sunscreen year-round is a must. But with so many options available, making a selection from the vast array of mineral-based compounds and chemical formulations can be quite daunting—especially if you're concerned about breakouts or are in search of one that is flattering for your complexion. At MakeupAlley, we understand the struggle. Here's a short-list of some of the top-rated sunscreens vetted by our sharp reviewers, rounded out by an illuminating rundown from Dr. Ava Shamban, a board-certified dermatologist and co-host of THE GIST, a web series featuring real talk from five renowned female derms.
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TYPE: Chemical-based
PERFECT FOR: All skin types
SCREEN CAST: Clear transparency. Leaves no white film. Fine for all skin tones.
MUA COMMUNITY COSIGN: “As a makeup wearer, the last thing I want is a sticky white cast all over my face. This sunscreen is amazing.It has a clear gel-like consistency and gets absorbed relatively fast, acting as a hydrating primer right before your foundation or, perhaps, as the last step in your skincare routine. Thankfully, all of my foundations and concealers sit/blend well on top of it and I have never experienced peeling or anything like that.”
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TYPE: Mineral-based
PERFECT FOR: Most skin types
SCREEN CAST: Tinted but sheer. Those who are extremely fair or those with darker skin may find that the tint does not work for their complexion.
MUA COMMUNITY COSIGN: “This is a very good tinted mineral sunscreen that feels lightweight on the skin and neutral in terms of moisture. The tint is a neutral that would work on many skin tones (the fairest might find this a bit dark and anyone past dark olive skin would surely find it too light). This does wear relatively pleasantly all day long. Something about it doesn't quite work for me—like it dries down to the point that my face feels a tiny bit tight...I'm not quite sure how to explain it, and it isn't consistent, but there might be something in the formula that just slightly irritates my skin. However, this sunscreen is very reliable for sun protection that looks flattering. I wore this to an outdoor wedding this summer and my face looked good the entire afternoon and evening. It is tenacious and worth considering.”
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TYPE: Mineral-based
PERFECT FOR: Sensitive skin
SCREEN CAST: Not translucent. Leaves a white film. Not recommended for darker skin tones.
MUA COMMUNITY COSIGN: “It’s a thick zinc sunscreen. It leaves a white cast and if overapplied can be very heavy on the skin. [However,] it doesn’t sting my eyes or irritate my skin. It protects very well and contains enough zinc oxide to defend against UVA long and short rays as well as UVB. Once you start getting into products with 18% ZnO and up, you’re basically left with formulas like this... If you want to avoid nanoparticles, then this is what we’re stuck with in terms of high zinc-only formulas...”
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TYPE: Chemical-based
PERFECT FOR: All skin types, especially dry
SCREEN CAST: Sheer transparency. Leaves no white film. Fine for all skin tones.
MUA COMMUNITY COSIGN: “I really like this sunscreen. It goes on sheer and smells wonderful. I didn't burn at all! Price is also right!”
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TYPE: Mineral-based
PERFECT FOR: Oily skin
SCREEN CAST: Slight tint, yet translucent. Leaves no white film. Fine for all skin tones.
MUA COMMUNITY COSIGN: “This is excellent for no makeup days. It goes on smooth and feels very light, almost whipped. The color is a bit dark for my fair skin, but because a little goes a long way it's no big deal. After moisturizing, I use a pea size and sweep it quickly over my entire face with fingertips. It sets immediately to a matte finish. I don't intend to use this as a primer under my foundation. I believe it would be too heavy under makeup and would distort the color. If you're looking for a mineral sunscreen with a hint of color that is not shiny and gross, this is the answer!”
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TYPE: Mineral-based
PERFECT FOR: Oily skin
SCREEN CAST: Cream-to-powder formulation blends in easily. Sheer powdery finish. Leaves no white film. Fine for all skin tones.
MUA COMMUNITY COSIGN: “This sunscreen is very nice for Black women. I have no issues. It doesn't leave a white cast. I actually can tell the difference in my skin with hyperpigmentation lightening, that might have something to do with the grapeseed oil (it's a natural skin lightener). It's a nice lotion consistency. I never thought I would need sunscreen. I was wrong—love this sunscreen!”
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TYPE: Chemical-based
PERFECT FOR: Oily or Acne-prone skin
SCREEN CAST: Blends in well. Does not leave a white film. Fine for all skin tones.
MUA COMMUNITY COSIGN: “This is a chemical sunscreen so do not apply it to wet skin—it will burn. Secondly, if you strip your moisture barrier in the morning with certain cleansers, like foams or bar soap, again this will burn as it’s slightly acidic. That goes for scrubbing too—so don’t blame the sunscreen. If you avoid these steps, you will find that you like this better. I really like this sunscreen. It does the job at protecting my skin. It’s semi-matte, not very greasy but it does leave a sheen. Now some people are very sensitive to chemical sunscreens, no matter what. In that case, you need a physical sunscreen with zinc [or] titanium dioxide; this wouldn’t be a choice for you. Neutrogena has plenty of those as well. I prefer chemical sunscreens because they don’t leave a white cast. That is my preference. If you are very sensitive and don’t mind the white cast, get a physical one. I know that some physical ones actually have zero white cast...”
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TYPE: Chemical-based
PERFECT FOR: Oily or Acne-prone skin
SCREEN CAST: You need to deeply rub it in very well so as not to have a white film. Not recommended for darker skin tones.
MUA COMMUNITY COSIGN: “This sunscreen is amazing for oily and or combination skin. It does have a dry touch so that I don't feel it on my skin. Also important is that it is oil-free and noncomedogenic—two things I'm supposed to look at for my rosacea. I can feel matte for hours with this.”
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TYPE: Mineral-based
PERFECT FOR: Most skin types
SCREEN CAST: You have to work hard to rub this in so as not to leave a white residue. Might leave a white/gray cast on darker skin tones
MUA COMMUNITY COSIGN: “I'm a sunscreen junkie and have tried lots of different products, both chemical and mineral. I've now been using this Juice Beauty sunscreen on and off for a few years. It's almost perfect, for a mineral sunscreen. It has an effective percentage of zinc (20%) and no titanium dioxide. It stays put pretty well when sweating. It does settle in my fine lines a bit, as does every other mineral sunscreen I've ever used. And, it's sticky. But, both of these problems are somewhat ameliorated by blotting with a tissue after applying.It spreads easily and isn't too drying. I love the scent, which isn't a perfume but just a subtle scent seemingly from the natural ingredients. It's slightly tinted, just enough to prevent a white cast, but I have relatively fair skin, so your mileage may vary. I should note that I use this on my face only, not body. I suspect it would be a little sticky for body use, but, on the other hand, I would trust the sun protection. I have sat out in the sun while wearing this, and haven't gotten pink. Overall, a great product that I will keep using.”
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TYPE: Mineral-based
PERFECT FOR: Those looking to protect their scalp or hair.
MUA COMMUNITY COSIGN: “The Coola Organic Scalp & Hair Mist SPF 30 is an okay option if you are looking for a product to protect your hair from too many rays. I know during the summer too much sun can lighten my hair a few shades. I usually don't mind this, but I could see if I was trying to keep my hair a darker shade or a red color that this could be frustrating. I'm not sure I would recommend that others use this on their scalp or part. I used this on my center part and it left it feeling a bit dry, probably from the high amount of denatured alcohol they have included. I think this works much better as a hair protector as opposed to using it for your scalp or part. This doesn't add anything to your finished hair look other than the sunscreen so don't expect to get any shine or finish from this. The nozzle and packaging works quite well and this is lightly scented. Coola seems to have every area covered for sunscreen that you could imagine—face, hair, lips, and body. I definitely love the Coola brand, especially since it is cruelty-free!”
