10 Best Zinc Oxide Sunscreens That Are Totally Safe For Your Skin
Grab the goodness of gentle formulations and protect your skin from harmful sun rays.
Oyendrila Kanjilal Certified Skin Care Coach
Expertise: Skin Care & Hair Care
Experience: 2 years
Oyendrila holds a master's degree in English Literature from the University Of Calcutta, West Bengal, and is a certified skincare coach. As a beauty and lifestyle writer with two years of experience, ... more
If you want to maintain proper skin health, no matter what skincare routine you have, sunscreen is a must. According to the FDA, there are only two sunscreen ingredients considered safe: titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Zinc oxide sunscreens are excellent and effective because dermatologists recommend them, and they are free from oxybenzone (a harmful chemical), commonly found in other sunscreen products. In this article, we have rounded up the best zinc oxide sunscreens available in the market right now. Keep reading to explore our top picks!
In This Article
Top 10 Zinc Oxide Sunscreens Of 2023
1. Best Overall:La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
The Ultra Light sunscreen from La Roche Posay is a 100% mineral-based formula that filters UV rays and protects your skin from the sun. It has a beautiful fluid texture that gives you a matte finish without leaving a white layer on the top of your skin. It is gentle and perfect for sensitive skin. The zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and antioxidants in this formula are mixed using Cell-Ox Shield® technology that protects you from both UVA and UVB rays. If you need more convincing, feel free to take a look at this YouTuber’s video on the merits and demerits of the product.
Pros
- Gentle on the skin
- Does not leave behind a residue
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
None
2. Best For Rosacea:Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen
Image: Neutrogena Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen is a naturally sourced and mineral-based sunscreen. Since it’s formulated for babies, it is perfect for anyone with ultra-sensitive skin. If you suffer from redness, inflammation, or rosacea, this is the perfect sunscreen for you. If you want a detailed review of the product, make sure to take a look at this video.
Pros
- Extremely light and gentle
- Hypoallergenic
- Water-resistant
Cons
None
3. Best Fragrance-Free:TIZO 3 Age Defying Fusion Facial Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40
If you think of sunscreen as this boring, white, thick paste you have to deal with, we have something that will prove you wrong. This TIZO 3 sunscreen with SPF 40 protection is a faintly tinted cosmetic lotion that protects you from harmful sun rays while being the subtle underdog beneath your primer. It is chemical- and fragrance-free.
Pros
- Chemical-free
- Recommended by dermatologists
- Anti-aging effects
Cons
None
4. Best Recommended By Skin Experts:MDSolarSciences Mineral Crème Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UVA-UVB Sunscreen
MDSolarSciences Mineral Creme Broad Spectrum Sunscreen was developed by melanoma and skin cancer experts and is uniquely loaded with antioxidants, vitamin C, green tea, and fruits extracts. It is an oil-free and light formula that almost disappears into your skin without clogging your pores.
Pros
- Makes your skin feel soft and silky
- Easily absorbed into the skin
- Does not cause breakouts
Cons
- Can dry out your skin and make it flaky
5. Best Anti-Pollution:Elizabeth Arden Prevage City Smart Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Hydrating Shield
For the longest time, the idea of sunscreen has been reduced to a thick paste that we need for sun protection. However, this one from Elizabeth Arden stands out because it brings together an anti-pollution shield technology and a DNA Enzyme complex that battle the effects of aging and stimulate your skin’s natural repair process.
Pros
- Anti-pollution shield technology
- Protects from free radicals
Cons
- Expensive
6. Best Ophthalmologist-Tested:SkinCeuticals Physical Eye UV Defense Sunscreen
The SkinCeuticals Physical Eye UV Defense Sunscreen is ophthalmologist-tested and targets the area around your eyes that most sunscreens don’t focus on. It is light on the skin and does not spread or get into your eyes due to its waterless formula.
Pros
- Does not cause irritate your eyes
- Evens out your skin tone
- Specifically focuses on the skin around the eyes, unlike most sunscreens
Cons
- A little greasy
7. Best Anti-Aging:MAKE Cosmetics SPF 30 Face Primer
The MAKE Cosmetics SPF 30 Face Primer doubles up as a sunscreen, evens out your skin tone, and works as a spot corrector. It not only protects your skin from UV rays but also repairs sun damage, smoothens out wrinkles and fine lines, and offers a velvety finish.
Pros
- Protects from sun damage
- Lightweight
- Evens out skin tone
Cons
- Slightly expensive
8. Best For All Skin Types:Badger Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Cream
This is a natural and straightforward sunscreen with just five ingredients and no added fragrances or colors. It is a hypoallergenic formula that suits all skin types. It is water-resistant and soothing because it contains vitamin E. It is made with 98% organic ingredients and is gentle on your skin.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- No added colors and fragrances
Cons
- Leaves a white film on the skin’s surface
9. Best Travel-Friendly:EltaMD UV Aero Broad-Spectrum SPF 45 Sunscreen
EltaMD UV Aero Sunscreen is the perfect companion to take with you on holiday. It comes in a spray bottle, which makes for easy application. It is useful for those hard-to-reach spots and is water-resistant too. If you are a sucker for spray sunscreen, you should go for this one.
Pros
- Fragrance-, oil-, and paraben-free
- Water-resistant
Cons
- The spray bottle is effective only for a few uses.
10. Best Non-Comedogenic:Cerave Sunscreen Face Lotion
Cerave Sunscreen Face Lotion is formulated using InvisibleZinc Technology that makes it spread easily and gives you a clear finish. It is a physical sunscreen, which means it deflects the sun’s rays. Unlike most sunscreens, it does not clog your pores.
Pros
- Oil-free
- Non-comedogenic
Cons
- Thick consistency
- Leaves a white residue behind
The key to maintaining proper skin health is using sunscreen every day, irrespective of the weather. Dermatologists recommend the best zinc oxide sunscreens, and they offer effective protection from both UVA and UVB rays. These sunscreens sit on top of the skin and physically block or deflect harmful rays. They have a gentle, lightweight, and hypoallergenic formula that gets well absorbed into your skin after application. They do not contain any added colors or fragrances and are safe for all skin types.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Oyendrila Kanjilal, the author of this article, is a certified skin care coach with a passion for creating comprehensive beauty articles for her readers. She browsed various trusted online platforms to analyze user reviews and researched deeply about sunscreen products to provide you with the best zinc oxide sunscreen. The sunscreens listed above are oil-free, absorb quickly into the skin, and repair sun-damaged skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use zinc oxide sunscreen on your face?
Yes, use zinc oxide sunscreen on your face to prevent redness and inflammation. These sunscreens also treat sunburns and are ideal for people with rosacea.
Is zinc oxide alone enough for sun protection?
Yes, zinc oxide is one of the key ingredients in physical sunscreens. Zinc oxide protects your skin from UVA and UVB rays.
Can I use zinc oxide on my face daily?
Yes, use zinc oxide as a part of your daily skin care routine. It treats skin infections, itching, and chapped skin.
Does zinc oxide brighten the skin?
Yes, zinc oxide brightens your skin, improves skin texture, and lightens dark spots or hyperpigmented areas.
Does zinc oxide sunscreen dry out the skin?
Yes, zinc oxide sunscreens may dry out your skin, especially in the summer.
Is zinc oxide the safest sunscreen?
Yes, zinc oxide is FDA-approved, safe, and does not irritate the skin.
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