Hello, radiant beings! Today, I’m excited to present my curated selection of the best mineral sunscreen for 2024. My journey began last year as I sought the perfect mineral sunscreen for both myself and my partner, Dave. I developed a concise yet comprehensive list of criteria that define what makes a mineral sunscreen exceptional, ensuring it meets my skincare needs without compromise.

Every product featured has been carefully purchased and rigorously tested over a span of two months to ensure authenticity and quality.

Key Criteria for Choosing the Ideal Mineral Sunscreen

Here’s my essential checklist of requirements that any mineral sunscreen must fulfill:

• must be 100% mineral SPF
• must offer SPF 50 protection
• must not trigger breakouts
• must be makeup-friendly
• must be cruelty-free

Finding a mineral sunscreen that ticks all these boxes has proven to be quite a challenge. Many options tend to be chalky and difficult to blend into my skin. Additionally, some products lack a sufficient range of shades, while others simply don’t hold up well when layered under makeup, which is a crucial factor for daily wear.

Balancing Quality and Affordability in Sunscreen Choices

The last criterion, affordability, is one where I’ve had to exercise some flexibility. My longstanding favorite facial SPF has been Canmake Mermaid Skin SPF 50++++, which I purchased for around $11-$13 during sales for a 40 ml bottle. Unfortunately, I haven’t found any alternatives that offer comparable affordability without sacrificing quality.

Understanding My Skin Type and Its Needs

I am 45 years old with dry skin that often requires special attention. My skin tone is very fair, typically falling between neutral and muted cool yellow undertones. When it comes to foundation, I achieve the best match with neutral, neutral cool, and muted yellow shades. Unfortunately, many complexion products tend to be overly saturated, resulting in an undesired orange or pink tint on my complexion.

In-Depth Review of Prequel Sun Barrier Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++

Displayed above is the Prequel Sun Barrier Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++, swatched on my fair skin. This mineral SPF features a very fair, cool-toned pink undertone that complements my complexion beautifully. Importantly, it does not leave a noticeable white cast when properly blended.

Examining the Ingredients of Prequel Sun Barrier Mineral Sunscreen

Active Ingredient:
Zinc Oxide 18.0%

Inactive Ingredients:
Water (Aqua), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diisooctyl Succinate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Cetearyl Olivate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Sorbitan Olivate, Bisabolol, Pongamia Pinnata Seed Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate, Lauroyl Lysine, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Arachidyl Alcohol, Silica, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Behenyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Arachidyl Glucoside, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetyl Alcohol, Tin Oxide, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Sorbitan Oleate, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Mica (CI 77019), Iron Oxides (CI 77499, CI 77491).

I had such high hopes for the Prequel Sun Barrier Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++! I appreciate that this sunscreen is mineral-based, offers SPF 50 PA++++ protection, doesn’t cause breakouts, and is cruelty-free. Unfortunately, it does not perform well under makeup for me, and Dave has experienced similar issues. It tends to pill up frequently, leaving small residues around the perimeter of my face, particularly near the temples. Surprisingly, Dave has also experienced the same pilling issue.

If the Prequel Sun Barrier Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ could overcome the pilling issue and work effectively under makeup, it would undoubtedly be my top choice. Moreover, this mineral SPF is incredibly affordable at $22 for 1.7 fl oz / 50 ml.

Regrettably, despite numerous adjustments to my skincare routine, I couldn’t resolve the pilling problem with this product, leading me to ultimately give up on it. However, I’ve heard from friends who purchased it, loved it, and did not experience any pilling.

In-Depth Analysis of Colorescience Sunforgettable Flex SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen in Fair

The Colorescience Sunforgettable Flex SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen in Fair is displayed above on my complexion. Observant members of my audience noted that the shade Fair appears slightly peachy, leaning towards a peachy-pink hue compared to my skin. However, this shade is desaturated enough to harmonize with my very fair neutral to muted cool yellow undertone. It integrates seamlessly with my skin and performs admirably under makeup, allowing me to wear it comfortably on its own as well.

Check out how I wear the Colorescience Sunforgettable Flex SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen in Fair!

Ingredients Breakdown of Colorescience Mineral Sunscreen

Active Ingredients:
Zinc Oxide 12%

Inactive Ingredients:
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone, Isododecane, Propanediol, Caprylyl Methicone, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Tridecyl Salicylate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Trilaureth-4 Phosphate, Dimethiconol/ Propylsilsesquioxane/ Silicate Crosspolymer, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(trimethylsiloxy)silylethyl Dimethicone, Mica, Polyester-1, Maltodextrin, Sodium Chloride, Bisabolol (Levomenol), Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp (Silver Ear Mushroom) Extract, Allantoin, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Isoceteth-10, Zein, Hexylene Glycol, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Silica, Caesalpinia Spinosa (Tara) Fruit Pod Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Sprout Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Aluminium Hydroxide, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499).

The Colorescience Sunforgettable Flex SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen in Fair offers SPF 50 protection without leaving an orange tint, and if blended properly, it avoids any white cast. Priced at $43.20 on sale and $54 at regular price, it is the most expensive option among the mineral sunscreens I’ve tried. It is available in a limited shade range of Fair (shown), Medium, Tan, and Deep.

Despite its higher price, Colorescience has proven to be a worthwhile investment as it works well under makeup, although it is the most challenging to blend among all the options I tested, which is a reason why Dave prefers other products.

Comprehensive Review of Live Tinted Hueguard Skin Tint SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum in 9 Light

Initially, my experience with the Live Tinted Hueguard Skin Tint SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum in 9 Light fell short of expectations. I purchased it without seeing any swatches, driven by its early availability on Ulta’s website for Diamond and Platinum members. I chose the shade 9 Light Neutral based on its description, fearing that shade 10 Light Cool would lean too pink, which I wanted to avoid at all costs.

While shade 9 Light Neutral suits both my and Dave’s undertones, it unfortunately appears much deeper than our actual skin tones. Nonetheless, it performs exceptionally well under makeup for me. If I were comfortable leaving the house with my face and neck appearing several shades darker than the rest of my body, it could be worn alone. Dave has also experimented with applying it for Zoom meetings, and it imparts a healthy bronzed glow without any orange tint.

Ingredients of Live Tinted Hueguard Mineral Sunscreen

Active:
Zinc Oxide 9.5%.

Inactive:
Allantoin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Bisabolol, Buddleja Davidii Callus Extract, Butyloctyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, C13-15 Alkane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Coco-Caprylate, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Glycerin, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Seabuckthorn) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Iron Oxides, Isoamyl Laurate, Lecithin, Methylpropanediol, Phenylpropanol, Physalis Pubescens Fruit Juice, Polyg