My Top Rated Mineral Sunscreens and Why I Love Them
Today, I will break down my favorite sunscreens and give you as much info as I can so you can decide which ones might be right for you.
Colorescience
Starting off with Colorescience, lets talk about some of the benefits and technology; The proprietary EnviroScreen Technology is a triple coating over the mineral zinc oxide molecules which contains vitamin E, hydrating molecules and antioxidants such as niacinamide, green tea, grape seed and oakwood extract, Lipochroman, a powerful antioxidant, iron oxides that neutralize the white cast and protect the antioxidants from degradation. In an article published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology Colorescience showed that this proprietary coating reduced the formation of free radicles by 65% compared to more standard formulations. The Sunforgettable Face Shield provides SPF 50, PA +++ with zinc oxide 12% and 40 minute water resistance. This particular formulation is available in a bronze tone which is great for mid and darker skin tones or to give pale skin a bit of a temporary tan. Glow adds a champagne shimmer mimicking a highlighter. This is fantastic for young skin but I find it accentuates lines and pores for those of us with more mature skin. However applied to only desired highlight areas, it looks great on everyone and all ages. Last but not least, the original neutral shade has a slight pink tone from the iron oxides but no white cast. The total protection products are reef-safe, non-nano, non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic, paraben-free, cruelty-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, oil-free, gluten-free, fragrance-free. My absolute favorite thing about Coloescience is the full transparency of ingredients, as well as their sophisticated technology and the research they put their products through. No questions are left unanswered.
A star of the show in the Colorescince line up is the Brush on Shield powder formula which is great for reapplication throughout the day without disturbing makeup. With Titanium Dioxide 22.5%; Zinc Oxide 22.5% this sunscreen provides SPF 50 and PA ++++ (highest rating for PA scale) and water resistance up to 80 minutes. To me this one is a must for everyone. My favorite powder sunscreen by far! Vitachelox is a trademark combination of green tea, grape seed and oak wood extracts, which protects from free radicals and pollution. Infraguard contains tara tannins (powerful antioxidant) and organic sunflower sprouts that protect against the aging effects of infrared radiation (IR).
Skin Better Science
The Skin Better Science formulations use something called AMP technology which stands for Active architecture (the uniform mixing of active and supportive ingredients), Mineral method (the coating materials and technology) and Polymineralmatrix ( light scattering and blurring powders) such as plankton crystals and proprietary silica for optical blurring effects. These sunscreens also protect from pollution, Infrared and blue light as well as free radicals in addition to UVA/UVB rays. The Sunbetter Tone Smart is SPF68 PA +++ with zinc oxide 10% & Titanium Dioxide 8.4%, and provides 80 minute water resistance. A unique property to this tinted formulation is a blurring effect designed to minimize the appearance of pores. Cruelty free. The Sunbetter Tone Smart won the 2020 New Beauty Award and the 2020 Shape Magazine Beauty Award. This is another brand with next level technology and proprietary formulations that create the most sophisticated sunscreens on the market.
Alastin
The Hydratint Pro Mineral sunscreen provides broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection with Titanium Dioxide 8.9% & Zinc Oxide 3.4% providing SPF 36 and 40 minute water resistance. Alastin does not provide a PA rating so that is hard to know. This tinted sunscreen contains Phytoene, Phytofluene, Thermus Thermophilus Ferment, and Asteriscus Graveolens Extract which act as powerful antioxidants, protect from UVA/UVB, environmental free radicals and infrared generated free radicals. The finish is a perfect shade of healthy skin with a subtle glow. It is an oil/fragrance/paraben/gluten/cruelty free formulation.
Tizo
Another great brand with a variety of sunscreens targeted at different skin types including acne-prone, rosacea prone, dry, and oily and all skin tones without leaving a white cast. The tinted sunscreens contain iron oxides. All of the ingredients used are free of dyes, parabens, gluten, phthalates, preservatives. Tizo is vegan and cruelty free. My favorite is the Tizo 3, SPF 40 PA+++ tinted sunscreen.
Elta MD
The Elta MD UV Elements, Broad Spectrum SPF 44 is an oil free, tinted formulation containing Zinc Oxide 10%, Titanium dioxide 5.5%, providing 40 minutes of water resistance. It contains vitamin C ester and Hyaluronic acid to boost moisture retention. Fragrance/oil/paraben free, noncomedogenic. I did an internet search and could not confirm that they are cruelty-free. I included the brand because it is a popular and good mineral sunscreen.
None of these products contains chemical sunscreens or nanoparticles, therefore they are all reef safe.
*These are my personal and professional opinions and are not associated with any sponsorships or promotions. If you have concerns related to your skin or skin reactions to these products, my blog should not replace medical attention so please seek the advice of your medical doctor, who can examine, assess and speak with you in person.