No matter the time of year, you always need to keep on top of your suncare game! The winter sun can be just as damaging, if not more so, than in the summer as we tend to let our guard down around the cooler months. So whether you’re off on your jollies, spending time in your garden or just commuting to work, you’re going to need a good broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays.
Felipe Partarrieu is a final-year dermatology resident who is GMC-registered with a full licence to practise in the UK. Specialising in cosmeceuticals, facial skincare and hair disorders, we worked with Felipe to bring you top quality information to help you make informed buying decisions and understand more about what goes onto your skin.
For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of mineral sunscreen available and understand how our ranking was determined.
Image | 1 ![]() Babo Botanicals | 2 ![]() Alba Botanica | 3 ![]() Badger | 4 ![]() Derma E | 5 ![]() Avène | 6 ![]() Heliocare 360° | 7 ![]() ThinkSport | 8 ![]() Clinique | 9 ![]() Blue Lizard | 10 ![]() Neutrogena |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Clear Zinc Sunscreen | Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen | Unscented Mineral Sunscreen | Natural Mineral Sunscreen | Tinted Mineral Fluid | Mineral Fluid for Sensitive and Intolerant Skin | Mineral Sunscreen | Mineral Sunscreen for Face | Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen | Sheer Zinc Sunscreen for Face |
Features | An Excellent-Value Natural Sunscreen for Children and Adults Alike | Naturally Soothing and Protective With Great Eco Credentials | A Family-Friendly Choice Made With Only 4 Natural Ingredients | A Quick-Absorbing, Vitamin-Enriched Sunscreen Designed for Mature Skin | Tinted Option for the Face With 50+ SPF and a Non-Comodegenic Formula | Vegan-Friendly and Ideal for Easily Irritated Skin | Perfect for Active Types Wanting High Protection | A Luxurious, Easy-to-Apply Facial Sunscreen From Clinique | Effective Sensitive Protection That's Kind to Marine Life | A High-Protection Facial Sunscreen for Oily or Sensitive Skin |
Price | £15.77 | £8.88 | £20.59 | £17.80 | £16.46 | £22.95 | £10.95 | £22.00 | £24.90 | £18.95 |
100% Mineral Filters | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Non-nano/Nano | Non-nano | Non-nano | Non-nano | Non-nano | Nano | Nano | Non-nano | Nano | Nano | Nano |
SPF | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 50+ | 50 | 50+ | 50 | 30 | 50 |
Broad Spectrum | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Water-Resistant | 80 minutes | 80 minutes | 40 minutes | – | Yes | Yes | 80 minutes | No | 40 minutes | 80 minutes |
Oil-Free | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Silicone-Free | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Face/Body | Both | Both | Both | Body | Face | Face | Both | Face | Both | Face |
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Looking for more ways to protect yourself? How about sun hats or polarised sunglasses?
This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
89ml
£15.77
100% Mineral Filters | Yes |
---|---|
Non-nano/Nano | Non-nano |
SPF | 30 |
Broad Spectrum | Yes |
Water-Resistant | 80 minutes |
Oil-Free | No |
Silicone-Free | Yes |
Face/Body | Both |
118ml
£8.88
100% Mineral Filters | Yes |
---|---|
Non-nano/Nano | Non-nano |
SPF | 30 |
Broad Spectrum | Yes |
Water-Resistant | 80 minutes |
Oil-Free | No |
Silicone-Free | No |
Face/Body | Both |
87ml
£20.59
100% Mineral Filters | Yes |
---|---|
Non-nano/Nano | Non-nano |
SPF | 30 |
Broad Spectrum | Yes |
Water-Resistant | 40 minutes |
Oil-Free | No |
Silicone-Free | Yes |
Face/Body | Both |
118ml
£17.80
100% Mineral Filters | Yes |
---|---|
Non-nano/Nano | Non-nano |
SPF | 30 |
Broad Spectrum | Yes |
Water-Resistant | – |
Oil-Free | No |
Silicone-Free | Yes |
Face/Body | Body |
40ml
£16.46
100% Mineral Filters | Yes |
---|---|
Non-nano/Nano | Nano |
SPF | 50+ |
Broad Spectrum | Yes |
Water-Resistant | Yes |
Oil-Free | No |
Silicone-Free | No |
Face/Body | Face |
50ml
£22.95
100% Mineral Filters | Yes |
---|---|
Non-nano/Nano | Nano |
SPF | 50 |
Broad Spectrum | Yes |
Water-Resistant | Yes |
Oil-Free | No |
Silicone-Free | No |
Face/Body | Face |
89ml
£10.95
100% Mineral Filters | Yes |
---|---|
Non-nano/Nano | Non-nano |
SPF | 50+ |
Broad Spectrum | Yes |
Water-Resistant | 80 minutes |
Oil-Free | No |
Silicone-Free | No |
Face/Body | Both |
30ml
£22.00
100% Mineral Filters | Yes |
---|---|
Non-nano/Nano | Nano |
SPF | 50 |
Broad Spectrum | Yes |
Water-Resistant | No |
Oil-Free | Yes |
Silicone-Free | No |
Face/Body | Face |
148ml
£24.90
100% Mineral Filters | Yes |
---|---|
Non-nano/Nano | Nano |
SPF | 30 |
Broad Spectrum | Yes |
Water-Resistant | 40 minutes |
Oil-Free | No |
Silicone-Free | No |
Face/Body | Both |
59ml
£18.95
100% Mineral Filters | Yes |
---|---|
Non-nano/Nano | Nano |
SPF | 50 |
Broad Spectrum | Yes |
Water-Resistant | 80 minutes |
Oil-Free | Yes |
Silicone-Free | No |
Face/Body | Face |
'Reef-safe' is currently not a regulated term, so you must make sure to look at the 'active ingredients' used in the sunscreen. Generally, it is advised that you look for sunscreens with 'non-nano' zinc oxide or titanium oxide. It is also helpful to avoid single-use plastic packaging and opt for biodegradable alternatives.
You shouldn’t be mixing your mineral sunscreens with your moisturisers as this will essentially be watering down their efficacy and potentially rendering the ingredients completely inactive. However, you can layer them by allowing your moisturiser to absorb into the skin first and then going on to apply your physical sunscreen.
Why not take a look at the best facial sunscreens too?
On the whole, it is generally not advised that you mix and match your sunscreens as there is potential for ingredients to clash with one another. Nevertheless, if you have two products from the same brand with similar ingredients, then it may be okay to layer them throughout the day.
Written and researched by Natasha Dziubajlo
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