Best Mineral Sunscreens/ Sunblocks

It’s summer, and with all the new innovations in SPF technology, there’s no excuse not to protect your skin from the sun’s rays.

While chemical formulas dominate the market, nothing beats a mechanical blocker.

Listed below are my top picks for mechanical sunscreens. So, enjoy your time in the sun, and be safe while doing it!

To understand why I prefer mineral sunscreens over chemical sunscreens, read this post.

Facial Sunblocks

ThinkSport Face SPF 30+

ThinkSport Face is my personal favourite facial sunscreen. I like that it doesn’t make me look like Casper the Ghost thanks to it’s slight beige tint. The formula works well against the sun, and it doesn’t have too strong a scent. It works fairly well under makeup (I use it as a primer), but it definitely leaves your face looking shiny if you don’t apply powder on top.

PROS:

Tinted
No white-cast
Not as heavily scented as other SPFs

CONS:

Sticky until it dries
Dries slowly
Shiny finish

Price: ▪️▪️▫️▫️
$12.99 USD / $17.07 CAD / €11.60 EUR / £10.43 GBP

Tizo Age Defying Fusion Ultra Zinc SPF 40

Tizo makes a few different sunscreens, but the one I like best is their Age Defying Fusion Ultra Zinc. It has over 20% zinc oxide which means it’s very effective at blocking the suns rays.

This particular formula works well as a primer under makeup, and dries fairly quickly upon application. One of the reasons I like it is that it is very easy to apply (some formulas with high amounts of zinc take a long time to rub in).

Do note that this formula does leave you looking quite shiny, so it is advisable to layer powder on top of it to lessen that look.

PROS:

Easy application
Minimally scented
Light formula - works well under makeup (as a primer)

CONS:

Expensive
Shiny finish
Slight white cast

Price: ▪️▪️▪️▫️
$20.99 USD / $27.57 CAD / €18.74 EUR / £16.85 GBP

Neutrogena SheerZinc Face Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

This is one of the few mineral sunblocks that I have found in a drugstore that offers SPF 50 protection. However, with a higher SPF content (than the other two brands mentioned on this list), the formula does become more difficult to apply. It will take longer to rub in and spread over your skin, and you will be left with a visible white cast over your skin.

One way to fix this is by either wearing a slightly darker foundation (so it will blend in with the white), or adding bronzer on top of your look.

If you’re looking for a sunblock to be more “functional” than “aesthetic” (ex, for sports, going for a walk, bike riding, etc…), this might be a good option for you.

PROS:

Less sticky than other mechanical SPF brands
Easier to find it stores
SPF 50

CONS:

White cast
Difficult to apply

Price: ▪️▪️▫️▫️
$12.99 USD / $19.99 CAD / £7.33 GBP

Body Sunblocks

ThinkSport SPF 50+

This SPF 50 sunblock is difficult to rub in, but will definitely protect your skin once it’s on. A little goes a long way, and it is worth taking the time to apply properly.

This was the only SPF I brought with me on a trip I took to Japan during the summer, and I did not tan once despite being outside daily for long lengths of time.

It does leave a white cast, but the scent is not too cloying. Be careful to give it a few minutes to let it dry, as the formula white wet can transfer and stain clothing or other materials.

PROS:

Dries quickly
Very high protection
A little goes a long way

CONS:

Difficult to apply/ rub in
White cast

Price: ▪️▪️▪️▫️
$20.99 USD / $27.57 CAD / €18.74 EUR / £16.85 GBP

Neutrogena SheerZinc Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

This formula works just as well as the ThinkSport body sunscreen in terms of sun protection, but it is more sticky. It’s benefit is that it’s easier to find and slightly cheaper than ThinkSport. Overall, it is a good sunscreen, but it would not be my first recommendation.

PROS:

Very high protection
Budget-friendly
Neutrogena brand more readily available

CONS:

Sticky
Difficult to apply/ rub in
White cast

Price: ▪️▪️▫️▫️
$12.99 USD / $12.99 - 19.99 CAD / £12.99 GBP

SPF Sticks

Badger Non-Nano Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Face Stick SPF 35

While I don’t love the smell nor the application of this product, it is a very travel friendly option for on-the-go sun protection. The small shape of the head makes it very easy to apply to the hard-to-reach areas of the face (the eyes, the nose, the philtrum).

This product holds up well to sweat, and is an option I’d recommend slipping into your pocket while doing outdoor physical activity.

PROS:

Travel-friendly
Budget-friendly (a little goes a long way)
Small shape makes it easier to apply around eyes/ nose

CONS:

Strongly scented
Uneven application
White cast

Price: ▪️▪️▪️▫️
$9.99 USD / $15.49 CAD / £9.95 GBP

ThinkSport Body & Face Sunscreen Stick SPF 30

This sunscreen stick’s formula applies well, but its shape makes it difficult to get around the contours of the face (the eye area, the nose). If you are patient, it can be done. Otherwise, the Badger Sunscreen Stick is a better option for those who are too impatient to take the time to make sure it is applied correcting.

The formula itself performs well, and I really that it has a minimal scent.

PROS:

Easy to apply
Travel-friendly
Budget-friendly (a little goes a long way)

CONS:

More difficult to apply around eyes/ nose (due to shape)
- Tip: Put more product around nose bridge and then use fingers to swipe it down towards your eyes/ edges of nose
White cast

Price: ▪️▪️▫️▫️
$8.99 USD / $11.80 CAD / €8.02 EUR / £7.21 GBP

Click here to see this product, among many others, listed in my June 2019 favourites!

Brush On Block

This is a great additional product to top your sunscreen with to

a) stop the shine

b) add extra protection

c) lessen the “stickiness”

While I wouldn’t recommend using this product alone (as it’s unlikely to give you as high a sun protection as creams), it is great to keep in your bag to top up your protection on the go while also matte-ifying your look.

This is good product for those who dislike rubbing in sunscreen, as it at least encourages some SPF protection on the go. You just remove the top, turn the cap, and brush the particles onto your face. It couldn’t be easier!

PROS: