Mineral versus Chemical Sunscreens: Understanding the Difference
The best way to protect against skin cancer, as well as premature lines and wrinkles, sunscreen is a crucial step in any daily skin routine, no matter your skin tone or type. When you choose mineral sunscreen, you sidestep the known and suspected carcinogens, hormone disruptors, and skin irritants that are common in chemical sunscreen active ingredients. And the tech in mineral (also called physical) sunscreens has improved to such a degree that the best formulas now melt easily into any skin tone.
No chemical sunscreens meet goop standards for clean, but many mineral sunscreens do. The two work very differently: Mineral sunscreens physically block and reflect UVA and UVB rays, while chemical ones absorb the UV rays. SPF ratings for both mineral and chemical sunscreens reflect only UVB protection.
You can easily tell whether a sunscreen is chemical or mineral: Look in the active ingredient box; if there are any ingredients listed besides zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (or both), it’s chemical and not clean by goop standards. (goop takes its lead from the Environmental Working Group, which recommends using only mineral sunscreens and avoiding chemical ones completely.)
Aren’t Mineral Sunscreens Harder to Rub In?
Not anymore. Our favorites out now melt easily into any skin tone without the whitish cast of previous iterations, and they feel silky and luxurious on your skin. Some of the ones we’re most excited about act almost like makeup, incorporating skin-perfecting tech to smooth the appearance of pores, even tone, and soften the look of blemishes. Others are fortified with skin-boosting antioxidants to protect and improve skin further.
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Practically Poreless Finish
Saint Jane Luxury Ritual Pore Smoothing SPF 30 goop, $38SHOP NOW -
Sheer Tint for Even Skin
Beautycounter Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer goop, $50SHOP NOW -
All but Invisible Cream Tint
Unsun Mineral Tinted Face Sunscreen goop, $29SHOP NOW
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Moisturizing with a Translucent Finish
Saie Sunvisor goop, $37SHOP NOW -
Vitamin C and SPF Serum Tint
ILIA C Beyond Triple Serum SPF 40 goop, $64SHOP NOW
What about Irritation and Breakouts?
While common chemical sunscreen ingredients are known to irritate skin (octinoxate or octyl methoxycinnamate, homosalate, and octisalate have all been shown to be skin and eye irritants) and may be some of the reason for sunscreen’s breakout-causing reputation, zinc oxide is so calming that it’s the primary ingredient in baby-bottom cream. Look for all-zinc formulas if your skin’s sensitive or acne-prone.
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Ultimate Skin-Soothing Sunscreen
Clark’s Botanicals Invisible Hero SPF 30 goop, $75SHOP NOW
What Are the Issues with Chemical Sunscreen?
Some of the most common active ingredients in chemical sunscreens—oxybenzone, avobenzone, and homosalate—have been flagged by the EWG as hormone disruptors. The organization’s recent sunscreen report cites four separate studies from 2020 that showed that oxybenzone can act as an endocrine disruptor and may increase the risk of breast cancer and endometriosis. A study in JAMA found that four chemical sunscreen ingredients—avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene, and ecamsule—can be absorbed into the bloodstream. This is especially concerning because these chemicals can cause issues even in tiny amounts—there’s no known safe dose at which to use them. In the US, the only ingredients for sunscreens that are generally recognized as safe and effective are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, according to a May 2019 FDA proposal to reevaluate the safety of ingredients used in chemical sunscreens.
Chemical sunscreens can also impact the environment. In 2021, Hawaii banned the sale and distribution of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, both shown to damage coral and other marine life.
Formulators Have Gotten (Beautifully) Creative
New ways of encapsulating and blending ingredients have changed the way mineral sunscreens look and feel on your skin. The new ultralight serum formulas are one of our favorite new ways to smooth on sun protection (they sink in like magic), and the gentle but powerful eye cream with SPF 40 that Supergoop came up with is just brilliant.
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Gleamy Finish
MARA Algae + Zinc Sea Kale Sunscreen Serum goop, $52SHOP NOW -
Semimatte Finish
EleVen Unrivaled Sun Serum SPF 35 goop, $50SHOP NOW -
Just for Eyes
Supergoop Bright-Eyed 100% Mineral Eye Cream SPF 40 goop, $38SHOP NOW
Mineral Sunscreens for Body Have Changed, Too
The improvements in blendability and texture show up in body products, too—even at SPF 50.
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Silky and Moisturizing
Unsun Hydrating Full Coverage Body Lotion SPF 30 goop, $32SHOP NOW -
Sinks-Right-In SPF 50
The Organic Pharmacy Cellular Protection Sun Cream SPF 50 goop, $69SHOP NOW -
Water-Resistant
Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 goop, $43SHOP NOW
Choose Creams and Lotions for Maximum Safety
(and Sun Protection)
The EWG has recommended against sprays and powders for a decade because inhaling sunscreen ingredients (even mineral ones) can deliver them deep into the lungs; it is also much harder to get adequate coverage when you use sprays or powders. Aerosols are especially problematic, and the FDA is currently considering banning the entire category. These creamy formulas are some of our favorites.
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Moisturizing (Yet Dries to a Matte Finish)
Grown Alchemist Natural Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 30 goop, $39SHOP NOW -
Easy (and Gentle) SPF 50
Babo Botanicals Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50 goop, $17SHOP NOW
