Drugstore Mineral SPFs Are the Gentlest, Most Affordable Way to Prevent Premature Aging
Small investment, big payoff.
Every dermatologist I've ever talked to (and I've talked to a lot—an occupational hazard) has given me the exact same skincare advice: wearing sunscreen every single day is the number one way to prevent premature aging. They've all also told me I have sensitive skin and have thus pointed me toward mineral SPF formulas. Board-certified dermatologist Jessie Cheung, MD, backs that sentiment, previously telling MC that they're great "for all skin types and concerns," especially for reactive or acne-prone skin because zinc oxide is "inherently calming."
Mineral, also known as physical, sunscreens, get their name due to their active ingredients. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are minerals that provide a sun protection factor, and they work by forming a physical barrier on the skin to deflect and scatter rays. Because the aforementioned ingredients are fairly accessible, you can get great mineral SPFs at some pretty affordable prices—at the drugstore, even.
Keep reading to discover my 10 favorite drugstore mineral SPFs, from the ones I love for my face to the body sunscreens I'll pack for every boat day and picnic I go on until the end of time.
My Ultimate Favorites
While mineral sunscreens have long been associated with a ghostly white cast, today's formulas are a bit more complex; a lot has changed in sun protection since years past. The following two options—one for the face and one for the body—are staples in my cabinet.
Native's mineral sunscreen lineup is impressive, full of fun scents (lychee! pear! coconut water!) and broad-spectrum goodness. Still, the original unscented version, formulated with 17 percent active zinc oxide, will always be my favorite. The brand recently improved the formula and added a spritz-on formula, but I'd rather go the old-fashioned route.
A key to getting rid of white cast is adding a tint, and CeraVe did a great job with their formulation. Depending on my summertime bronze, I like to mix both the light and medium shades and wear this as my makeup. I also take comfort in the fact that it's formulated with hydrating and calming ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.
Face First
According to Dr. Cheung, the "most elegant" mineral SPF textures tend to be "lightweight fluids, gel-creams, silicone-enhanced lotions, and tinted emulsions"—great news for people who are picky about face cream texture. Could you imagine rubbing an old-fashioned, chalky SPF on your face, or even body? Couldn't be me.
I'd trust Neutrogena with every part of my daily SPF routine. This mineral sunscreen boasts a sheer formula with a whopping 70 SPF rating. It doesn't feel greasy and sets nicely and quickly for a pretty blurred look.
While Vacation makes great (and really fun) SPFs overall, most of my favorite formulas include a chemical component. Not this one, though. Shake Shake is a super lightweight, watery SPF "milk" that offers streak-free broad spectrum SPF 50 protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
Stick It to 'Em
Ahh, the humble sunscreen stick—so great to toss in your purse and whip out when you need a re-up fast. Just consider this: It's easier to make sure you're applying enough SPF when you can measure it (use enough to cover the length of your middle and index fingers!). When you swipe these sticks on, make sure you're swiping them on properly for full coverage so you don't miss any spots.
Dermatologist tested and EWG-verified (i.e., it meets strict safety, health, and transparency standards), this sunscreen stick features a nice tint to offset any white cast. It also includes plant-based ingredients such as argan oil, vitamin E, rosehip oil, and avocado oil to nourish and hydrate while providing the SPF protection you're looking for.
The cute, bright packaging on this Bubble stick lets me appreciate the color of sunshine in all its glory while staying perfectly safe from it. Lightweight and non-greasy, Bubble's mineral SPF stick offers a lightweight feel and a velvet (not draggy!) glide with a soft satin finish that won't disrupt your makeup.
Body Heroes
I can talk about face SPF all day, but we also can't neglect those elbows, knees, and toes. They see (almost) as much sun in the summertime as your cheeks do and deserve daily application—and reapplication!—too.
A bottle of MadHippie Body SPF on the beach in Hawaii.
Behold: Another very cute packaging situation courtesy of Mad Hippie. This body sunscreen is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and blends in super well. I also love its non-zinc oxide ingredient lineup. Milk thistle! Quercetin! Squalane! Sea buckthorn berry! My shoulders and legs (don't forget to apply behind the knees) are lucky.
While all of Blue Lizard's drugstore mineral SPF options are great, I want to shout this one out for a few reasons. One: It's a spray, which people love. Two: It's a sport formula, which means it'll stay water-resistant for 80 minutes. You can swim and sweat to your heart's content in that time period, confident in the knowledge that the SPF 50 is taking good care of you.
Pucker Up
There was a time I went to Mexico, slathered some gloss on before hitting the pool, and woke up the next day with my lips covered in blisters. That will never happen to me again, and to you either, with these great drugstore mineral SPFs that protect one of the most forgotten about—but necessary—parts of the body.
Sun Bum is a drugstore SPF superstar brand, and they make a great au naturel lip balm. This zinc-based tube protects your pout from UVA and UVB rays while moisturizing your lips.
Another all-time-great sunscreen brand: EltaMD. While the brand's offerings are available at the drugstore, they're priced a little higher than the other choices on this list. Not this lip balm, though. The transparent zinc oxide formula offers both immediate and long-lasting moisture, helping restore your lips' softness and smoothness while protecting them.
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