For all the ways we talk about taking care of your skin, one thing stands out above the rest in terms of preventative care: a reliable, mineral face sunscreen. All the plant-based retinol and hydrating serums in the world can’t undo sun damage, but a natural moisturizer with SPF can help prevent it. Here are the best face SPFs we’ve tried, including our top picks (and we’ve tried A LOT).
By: Lisa Fennessy and Nicolle Mackinnon
IN THIS POST:
- Things to note about our best SPF for face picks
- A note about SPF and sensitive skin
- Compared: 10 natural face SPFs
- Cheat sheet: TNK’s top face SPF picks
- Natural face SPF TNK reader FAQs
Sun’s out, screens out! Whether you’re an avid sunscreen user or you pick it up occasionally, a mineral sun blocker is one of the most powerful tools in your skincare arsenal. Preventing sun damage and protecting your skin from free radicals and UVA / UVB rays not only help you avoid things like skin cancer, but it also can help slow down the skin’s aging process.
And yes, you should be applying it every day—which is hard when you don’t have a sunscreen you loooooove. That’s where this comparison comes in. We’ve tested more than 15 of the TOP mineral sunscreen brands, and these are THE BEST. You’re gonna wanna bookmark this for future reference. 😉
RELATED: How to read sunscreen labels.
Things to note about our best SPF for face picks
We’ve put ourselves through the wringer with this overview, meaning we’ve been sourcing and testing and chatting with brands for more than four months to get this all narrowed down to THE BEST picks. That said, a few things to note before we dive in:
- All of these are mineral sunscreen picks, meaning the active ingredient that blocks UVA and UVB is either zinc and / or titanium dioxide. We do not promote the use of chemical sunscreen barriers like oxybenzone, avobenzone and octinoxate. You can learn more about how to read sunscreen labels here.
- We also typically do our skincare routines and then layer SPF over it—meaning we apply regular moisturizer and then layer more moisturizer via SPF as a last layer. Mentioning this because it will affect the finish / wear.
- This year, we are also weighing in on how each of these formulas does with sensitive skin!
- It’s not unlikely for indie beauty brands to have variation from batch to batch. We’ve gotten fresh samples this year and are comparing them here.
- All of these formulas say to reapply after 80 to 120 minutes. This is standard for sunscreen—and if you want to avoid a burn, follow that guidance.
- UPDATE: Fitglow Vita Shield IS returning and we will add it here along with other standouts when we as we get our hands on them.
- Claims against blue light blocking are not included here because generally the active ingredient to block blue light is zinc, which is included in all of these formulas.
- We narrowed down this study to NON-TINTED face SPFs. Our updated review of tinted SPFs is on its way.
- Under each product, you will also see an application video so you can get an idea of how each formula goes on.
RELATED: Our picks for the best hydrating natural face moisturizers and the best nontoxic tinted face SPFs and the best DRUGSTORE face moisturizers with SPF.
A note about SPF and sensitive skin
Nicolle here, resident TNK sensitive skin tester. If you have sensitive skin, you might struggle with finding an SPF that works for you—but you might not know exactly why mineral SPFs are irritating.
The basic sensitive skin rule of thumb also applies to SPF: any ingredient, synthetic or natural or mineral or animal (ha), can be irritating to YOUR skin. Everyone is different, so if you find that you’ve got unidentified redness, irritation, bumps, itchiness, blemishes, flakiness or dryness popping up while you’re using a new (or any!) product, you might have to do a little detective work to figure out what ingredient is the culprit.
Bottom line: don’t assume that because it’s “natural,” it’s non-irritating for you. It took me nearly three years to realize lavender was the cause of continuous breakouts on my face; now, I rarely get cystic acne because I’ve eliminated that ingredient from my routine.
With mineral sunscreen, the active ingredient we recommend is zinc oxide, which can be incredibly drying, even for normal skin (it’s also the active ingredient in many natural diaper rash creams—and a cause of diaper rash? Dampness + friction). On me, that means mineral sunscreens are often linked to itchiness, dryness, and small red bumps and whiteheads popping up around my nose, on my chin and across my cheeks.
To combat this, I make sure to apply a good, thick moisturizer (here’s what I’m currently using) under my SPF, even if the SPF claims to have additional moisturizing ingredients. I also don’t use an SPF every day (I know, I KNOW) to keep my skin from being irritated—though you’ll find one pick below that left my skin clear and happy!
Final sensitive skin note: Below, I’ve added my experience with each of the SPFs we tried, but my sensitivity might not be the same as your sensitivity, so take my notes with a grain of salt (or sand, since this IS an SPF post).
RELATED: Tips for aftersun skincare.
Compared: 10 natural face SPFs
l💛ve Sun b☀️dy Sheer Power Daily Moisturizing Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 30 | $42
✅ Fragrance Free, ✅ Gluten Free, ✅ Vegan, ✅ Cruelty Free, ✅ Reef Safe, ✅ USA Made, ✅ Mineral Based, ✅ Broad Spectrum, ✅ Third Party Vetted
This is a medium-weight SPF that has a thicker consistency than most daily sunscreens, but you can still pull it off for daily wear. Historically this brand has been inconsistent in texture. Some years the consistency is thin and spreadable, but last year it was so thick I couldn’t even squeeze it out of the tube. We’ve tested this year’s Sheer Power and it’s homogeneous and spreadable.
I also want to point out that this is one of the only SPFs that’s acquired the COSMOS NATURAL Certification (and the only one in the USA), which is the gold standard when it comes to clean beauty.
RELATED: Read more about beauty certifications and why they can feel so confusing here.
What we like:
- ECOCERT Cosmos Natural Certified (THIS IS HUGE!!!)
- Added antioxidants like raspberry seed oil
- Dries down to matte
- Non-drying
- Takes a minute, but will rub into clear
- Packaging is made from over 50% recyclable PCR
- Can support long periods of time in the sun
What we didn’t like:
- It wears on the thicker side, making it great for beachwear, but a little too thick for everyday wear.
- Is slightly irritating to Nicolle’s sensitive skin.
Good for sensitive skin? In the midfield for sensitivity. Gave Nicolle some slight irritation around her nose and mouth, but no overt blemishes popped up.
l💛ve Sun b☀️dy Sheer Power Daily Moisturizing Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 30 | $42
A good fit for: Someone who values third-party testing and is looking for a hardy SPF that will get the job done. This is a perfect fit for outdoor activities like gardening, coaching soccer, long bike rides or extended hikes / walks where you don’t want the weight / tackiness of a sport SPF, but you do want the performance of one.
ELEVEN Unrivaled Sun Serum SPF 35 | $50
✅ Fragrance Free, ✅ Gluten Free, ✅ Vegan, ✅ Cruelty Free, ✅ Reef Safe,❓ USA Made, ✅ Mineral Based, ✅ Broad Spectrum, 🚫 Third Party Vetted
We are seeing the emergence of oil-based sunscreens over the past year and Venus Williams is jumping on the trend with her Unrivaled Sun Serum SPF 35. This does not double as a moisturizer, but can be seamlessly incorporated into your daily routine over your skincare and under your makeup.
We like how this SPF functions, but we have a lot of questions about the ingredient list. We see claims in the description about actives in this formula, but we don’t see them in the ingredient list. It’s really weird.
What we like:
- Smooth, velvety finish
- Not drying but also not moisturizing
- Seamless experience
- No white cast
- Glass packaging + glass dropper
- Quick absorption
- Did well on Nicolle’s sensitive skin
What we didn’t like:
- We’re being picky here, but it has a very subtle gritty texture after it dries down.
- The glass dropper doesn’t grab enough for a single application.
- Not many certified organic ingredients.
- Not our pick for long periods of time in the sun.
- Being left with questions about what the actual ingredients are…
Good for sensitive skin? This is Nicolle’s THIRD pick for sensitive skin overall. It only produced a bit of redness around her nose, with no whiteheads or itchiness at all. The lack of skin-supportive ingredients puts it below Erin’s Faces, Mara + Honua.
ELEVEN Unrivaled Sun Serum SPF 35 | $50
A good fit for: Someone who wants to isolate their SPF—meaning you can keep everything the same (skincare and makeup) and layer this in seamlessly.
Josh Rosebrook’s Nutrient Day Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30 | $55+
✅ Fragrance Free, ✅ Gluten Free, ✅ Vegan, ✅ Cruelty Free, ✅ Reef Safe, ✅ USA Made, ✅ Mineral Based, ✅ Broad Spectrum, 🚫 Third Party Vetted
Josh Rosebrook’s Nutrient Day Cream lives at the crossroads of where certified organic meets effective. If you’ve tried this formula in the past and were left wanting more, it’s worth revisiting. Newly reformulated, this formula now applies sheerer than before and comes in air-tight glass packaging. Applies thicker than Le Prunier or Erin’s Faces, but thinner than Love Sun Body or Solara.
This formula delivers a potent combination of distinct herbal actives and plant oils to repair, moisturize and protect the skin. Love, love, love the focus on certified organic ingredients—this is probably the most organic sunscreen on the market.
What we like:
- More moisturizing than most
- Leaves skin feeling plump
- Not greasy
- Not drying
- Fragrance free
- Also comes in a tinted formula
- Packaged in glass
- Comes in 3 sizes
- Heavy focus on organic ingredients
- Easy to layer over skincare and under makeup
- Formulated with ingredients to treat the skin
What we don’t like:
- Smells a little like zinc
- Not our pick for long periods of time in the sun
- The price
- Irritated Nicolle’s sensitive skin
Good for sensitive skin? Unfortunately, this incredibly high quality sunscreen was one of the more irritating for Nicolle’s sensitive skin. Ugh, annoying. Nicolle says, “I love Josh and his formulas, but my skin wasn’t happy with the reformulation. I had better success with the tinted SPF than with the untinted one—this new formula gave me itchiness and irritation almost immediately, and left me with bigger blemishes by the end of the day. 🤷🏼♀️”
Josh Rosebrook’s Nutrient Day Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30 | $55+
A good fit for: Someone who values organic ingredients and is looking for a skin-boosting SPF they can incorporate seamlessly into their daily skincare routine.
Best daily moisturizer with SPF: Le Prunier Plumscreen™ SPF 31 | $78
This is TNK’s top pick for overall best natural face SPF.
✅ Fragrance Free, ✅Gluten Free, ✅Vegan, ✅Cruelty Free, ✅Reef Safe, ✅ USA Made, ✅ Mineral Based, ✅ Broad Spectrum, 🚫 Third Party Vetted
Probably one of the most exciting and highly anticipated drops of 2021 and Lisa is obsessed. This formula is so special because it uses upcycled plum seed oil alongside broad spectrum zinc to deliver SPF 31 coverage. The kicker here is that plum seed oil is so naturally formidable at providing UV protection that Le Prunier only had to add 4.7% zinc to get a full pass on the “SPF 31” claim by the FDA.
This means that this truly feels like a moisturizer. It’s creamy, moisturizing and doesn’t smell like zinc (not even a little!).
We also love the addition of skin boosting ingredients like hydrating Zonaria Tournefortii Extract that helps protect against future wrinkles, and of course their trademarked Plum Superfruit Complex, which offers free radical protection, helps even skin tone, improves hyperpigmentation and more.
What we like:
- Feels like a moisturizer
- Silky smooth texture
- Doesn’t smell like zinc
- Good for all skin types
- Transparent application
- Cream color (not stark white) and truly rubs in clear
- Fragrance free but…
- Smells so good naturally from ingredients like a hint of sweet prunes
- Not drying
- Features skin-supporting ingredients in the bulk of the formula
- Easy to layer over skincare and under makeup
- The packaging (only the cap is plastic!)
What we didn’t like:
- Not a huge focus on certified organic ingredients
- Not our pick for long periods of time in the sun
- The packaging makes it hard to get all of the product out
- The price
- It came in third in Nicolle’s sensitive skin testing
Good for sensitive skin? While Nicolle was super hopeful that this formula’s low zinc content would make it come out on top, it was still a little irritating. Some redness and irritation popped up after a day of wear, but its moisturizing ingredients did help balance it out a bit.
Le Prunier Plumscreen™ SPF 31 | $78
A good fit for: Someone who wants a moisturizer that does it all including evening skin tone, fighting free radicals, working to prevent future wrinkles and providing broad spectrum UVA / UVB protection.
Best face moisturizer with SPF for the beach: kinfield Daily Dew SPF 35 | $24
One of our top budget picks.
🚫 Fragrance Free, ✅ Gluten Free, ✅ Vegan, ✅ Cruelty Free, ✅ Reef Safe, ✅ USA Made, ✅ Mineral Based, ✅ Broad Spectrum, 🚫 Third Party Vetted (Not that we found on their site.)
On the spectrum of everyday wear SPF to high (or sport) SPF, kinfield Daily Dew sits somewhere in the middle leaning closer to a high SPF formula. We personally feel more comfortable wearing this for outdoor activities than we do for everyday wear. It goes on WHITE and does take some time to rub in.
That being said, if you look at this as a sport SPF, it’s AWESOME. Super light (comparatively speaking) and we feel like we are definitely getting the coverage we want.
The bulk of the formula is emollients, emulsifiers and bulking agents, binding agents and viscosity controlling agents. Listed last (meaning these are added in in the smallest percentages) are a couple of B Team heroes like aloe vera, glycerin and sunflower extract. But this is neither a pro nor a con—it’s simply prioritizing function and price over hero ingredients.
What we like:
- The price
- Not drying
- Not greasy
- Water resistant
- A hardy formula that feels like it is actually protecting skin
- 1% For The Planet
- Packaging made with post-consumer recycled plastic
- Might be able to double as a moisturizer for some people
- Has a very light scent to it (could be a pro or a con)
- Finishes dewey (could be a pro or a con)
What we didn’t:
- Looks very white going on
- A little too heavy for everyday wear IMO
- Not many ingredients to help treat skin
- This does have natural fragrance, which may be a con for some people
- Is slightly irritating to Nicolle’s sensitive skin
Good for sensitive skin? We’ve got another midfield contender in the irritation category here. Not blemish-producing on Nicolle, but not quite as good as some of the others we tried.
kinfield Daily Dew SPF 35 | $24
A good fit for: The person who is known for saying “This SPF doesn’t work!” This no-frills, hardy formula will get the job done.
Solara Suncare Time Traveler SPF 30 | $42
✅ Fragrance Free, 🚫 Gluten Free, ✅ Vegan, ✅ Cruelty Free, ✅ Reef Safe, ✅ USA Made, ✅ Mineral Based, ✅ Broad Spectrum, ✅ Third Party Vetted (EWG)
Again, if you’ve tried this SPF in the past and were left wanting more, it’s worth another look. In this brand’s infancy, the consistency of this formula was not homogenous. It came out of the tube chunky and liquidy.
Well, not any more. We got this year’s batch to test and it’s homogenous, creamy and consistent. Lisa even left it in the car for a couple months to see if the Atlanta heat would break it down, but it stayed true to form.
This formula sits more on the Sport-SPF side of the SPF consistency spectrum. It’s thicker in consistency and you have to make sure it’s rubbed in all the way.
But this SPF stands out above the rest because it is LOADED with skin-changing activities that are clinically shown to help repair past damage at the cellular level, brighten and plump fine lines. This is truly skincare in the form of an SPF.
What we like:
- Third party vetted (EWG)
- Water resistant
- Skincare forward
- Actives to help improve skin
- Fragrance free
- Not drying
- Finishes dewey (could be a pro or a con)
- Can potentially double as your daily moisturizer
- Amazing customer service
- 100% recyclable packaging
What we didn’t:
- You have to make sure this is rubbed in all the way
- A little too heavy for everyday wear IMO
- Is slightly irritating to Nicolle’s sensitive skin
Good for sensitive skin? This year’s batch is pretty good overall when it comes to reactivity. Nicolle experienced a bit of itchiness over the course of the day, and some small red bumps around her nose, but no overt blemishes at the end of the day.
Solara Suncare Time Traveler SPF 30 | $42
A good fit for: Someone who wants an impeccably formulated sport SPF that will not only protect skin from UVA / UVB, BUT will also actually work to reverse previous sun damage.
Honua’s MALU Day Cream SPF 30 | $42+
✅ Fragrance Free (synthetic fragrance free), ✅ Gluten Free, ✅ Vegan, ✅ Cruelty Free, ✅ Reef Safe, ✅ USA Made, ✅ Mineral Based, ✅ Broad Spectrum, 🚫 Third Party Vetted
Gosh, Lisa loves this SPF so much, it’s been in her TOP 3 for years now. Above all, it wears like a dream: goes on light, even, sinks in, smells great, moisturizes and leaves skin looking fresh and healthy. Also love the addition of Hawaiian laukahi and oat bran extract to soothe, noni fruit for a clear appearance and jasmine to help even skin tone.
This is just so easy to use, it’s almost unbelievable.
What we like:
- Comes in multiple size options
- Smells like jasmine (can be a pro or a con)
- Not drying
- Not greasy
- Moisturizing
- Lightweight
- A percentage of sales supports Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii
- Packaged in dark glass
- Recyclable packaging
- Easy to layer over skincare and under makeup
- Can double as a lightweight moisturizer for some
- Minimal irritation for sensitive skin
What we didn’t like:
- Not our pick for long periods of time in the sun
- Can be hard to get the last bits out of the bottle
Good for sensitive skin? This ties for second best for sensitive skin (the Mara SPF reviewed below is the other second-place winner). It’s one of the least irritating overall, with just some slight redness around her nose appearing after a day of use.
Honua’s MALU Day Cream SPF 30 | $42+
A good fit for: Someone one who wants a no-fuss SPF experience they can feel good about.
Best Best face moisturizer with spf for sensitive skin: Erin’s Faces Peptide SPF 30 | $57.50
Our top pick for sensitive skin.
✅ Fragrance Free, ✅ Gluten Free, ✅ Vegan, ✅ Cruelty Free, ✅ Reef Safe, ✅ USA Made, ✅ Mineral Based, ✅ Broad Spectrum, 🚫 Third Party Vetted
This is one of our personal faves for this year. What we like most about this formula is it behaves like a moisturizer first and an SPF second. Truly goes on with ease, lightly moisturizes, has zero white cast and does not smell like zinc. Basically just imagine your favorite moisturizer, pretend it also has SPF and it’s THIS!
Also love the addition of skin boosting ingredients like MATRIXYL 3000 to help improve sun damaged skin, cucumber fruit extract to target hyperpigmentation and blue passion flower to soothe inflammation.
What we like:
- The consistency
- The bulk of the formula is sourced organic
- Skin supporting ingredients
- Acts as a light moisturizer
- Easy to layer makeup over
- Not drying
- Not irritating to sensitive skin
- Truly rubs into clear
- Not greasy
- Comes in 2 sizes
What we didn’t:
- The plastic packaging could be better
- Not our pick for long periods of time in the sun
Good for sensitive skin? If you have reactive skin, THIS IS THE SPF FOR YOU—it’s our top pick for sensitive skin. Nicolle has been using it for two years and it causes the least amount of irritation day after day. Maybe it’s the aloe; maybe it’s the blue passionflower; maybe it’s the combo of skin-soothing ingredients balanced perfectly with zinc… we can’t say for sure, but we can say it gets Nicolle’s top pick award.
Erin’s Faces Peptide SPF 30 | $57.50
A good fit for: Someone who wants to incorporate an SPF into their daily skincare routine, but doesn’t want to feel like they are incorporating an SPF into their daily skincare routine. Or anyone with sensitive skin.
Use Code NEWKNEW to save 10% on a one-time purchase at Erin’s Faces.
Mara Algae + Zinc Sea Kale Sunscreen Serum | $52
🚫 Fragrance Free (contains essential oils), ✅ Gluten Free, ✅ Vegan, ✅ Cruelty Free, ✅ Reef Safe, ✅ USA Made, ✅ Mineral Based, ✅ Broad Spectrum, 🚫 Third Party Vetted
Another of the oil-based SPFs on the market, we think this is perhaps the best of that bunch. No skin-drying formulas, no product caking, no white cast, no greasiness…just goodness and protection.
The zinc used here is called GlowDefence™ and it’s a super sheer, non-nano zinc oxide providing broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection. You have to shake the formula to incorporate it before applying, but this custom zinc ingredient is a wonder and truly applies sheer.
The formula is also rich in antioxidants (raspberry), skin-strengthening nutrients (sea aster) and ingredients that support the skin (algae). It also boasts moringa which delivers 90+ nutrients, 46 antioxidants and vitamins A, B, C, D and E for that fresh complexion and mega glow.
It’s great for everyday wear (a beach day may require something stronger).
What we like:
- The consistency
- The abundance of skin supporting ingredients
- Acts as a light moisturizer
- Easy to layer makeup over
- Not drying
- Not irritating to sensitive skin
- Truly rubs into clear
- Glass packaging with easy to use pump
What we didn’t:
- There’s a tiny bit of an oily finish if you apply too much, so be aware
- Not our pick for long periods of time in the sun
- Has a distinct scent—sort of like algae, which might be a turn off
Good for sensitive skin? This is Nicolle’s second pick for sensitive skin in all the SPFs we tested. Applies easily without irritation and causes minimal redness by the end of the day, with no whiteheads, itchiness or blemishes.
Mara Algae + Zinc Sea Kale Sunscreen Serum | $52
A good fit for: Someone who wants to isolate their SPF—meaning you can keep everything the same (skincare and makeup) and layer this in seamlessly.
Best face moisturizer with SPF for the beach: Cocokind Daily SPF 32 | $25
One of our top budget picks.
✅ Fragrance Free, ✅ Gluten Free, ✅ Vegan, ✅ Cruelty Free, ✅ Reef Safe, ✅ USA Made, ✅ Mineral Based, ✅ Broad Spectrum, 🚫 Third Party Vetted
We wanted to find a new budget pick for this year and we landed on Cocokind Daily SPF 32 or kinfield Daily Dew. Both of these formulas are similar in both price and function. Really the biggest difference between the two is that this one is fragrance free, while kinfield is not.
What we like:
- The price
- Not drying
- Not greasy
- A hardy formula that feels like it is actually protecting my skin
- Might be able to double as a moisturizer for some people
- Finishes dewey (could be a pro or a con)
- Fragrance free
What we didn’t:
- A little heavier than we’d prefer for everyday wear IMO
- Not many ingredients to help treat skin
Good for sensitive skin? Nicolle didn’t try this one, but she will and she will keep you posted!
A good fit for: Someone who wants to pick up a no-frills, mineral sunscreen on the go. This one is carried at most Targets!
Natural moisturizers with SPF that we considered for this list
- Kypris Pot of Shade: Way too white and thick for us.
- Acure Organics Seriously Soothing SPF Day Cream SPF 30: Doesn’t absorb easily—requires lots of rubbing, which for sensitive skin can be irritating.
- Acure Radically Rejuvenating SPF 30 Day Cream: Again, doesn’t absorb easily and leaves an intense white cast.
- Juice Beauty SPF 30 Oil-Free Moisturizer: Made Lisa’s eyes sting even hours after applying.
- Supergoop: We got A LOT of requests to review some of the popular sunscreens from this line, but many of them contain chemical sun blockers, not mineral ones. And the mineral options from Supergoop don’t generally contain the skin-boosting ingredients that the ones we reviewed do. So, we skipped this line all together.
- Pratima Neem Rose Sunscreen: This was Nicolle’s top sensitive skin pick, with so few ingredients, including a focus on soothing rose. But it’s been out of stock since we started this review. Big bummer.
TNK’s top picks for natural moisturizers with SPF
Natural face SPF TNK reader FAQs
Is it just me or do zinc based sunscreens dry out your skin?
Zinc is for sure drying, YES. That’s why we look for and recommend formulas that counteract that with moisturizing and hydrating ingredients. I personally love Le Prunier’s Plumscreen SPF 31 which only has 4% zinc added!
Can they go bad?
All sunscreens should have a “use by” date. Make sure to locate it on the tube and check each season to see what you need to replenish.
How high of an SPF does someone really need? I personally think SPF 30 is the best option for maximum protection while still being easy to spread and use. Cancer.org explains the difference between SPF 15 and SPF 30 is just a 4% difference in coverage. (Meaning SPF 15 sunscreens filter out about 93% of UVB rays while SPF 30 sunscreens filter out about 97% and SPF 50 sunscreens about 98%).
Is vitamin C in sunscreen just marketing?
I like the way you think! A lot of things can be “just marketing”. One easy way to fact check this specifically is to look at the ingredient list to see if the formula does in fact contain vitamin c! Vitamin c can be listed in several different ways. Here are some examples of what to look for: Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Ascorbate, Calcium Ascorbate, Ascorbyl Palmitate.
Which one does not sting your face if you sweat / swim?
I hate when this happens! We tested a bunch of face SPFs this year and the ones included in our top 10 did not sting my face. (I had one that did and we didn’t include it!) I would recommend trying kinfield’s Daily Dew SPF 35 which is also water resistant.
Will you review the new ILIA tinted sunscreen?
Oh heck yeah! Stay tuned!
Should we be concerned about nano?
Non-nano zinc oxide offers the best UV protection and it’s the kind supported by Ecocert and the Ecocert Cosmos certification (the gold star standards in clean beauty). When non-nano zinc oxide is applied to the skin, all of the zinc oxide remains on top of the skin’s surface to reflect UV radiation. This has been proven with a study that used tape. The tape applied to the skin was able to recover all topically applied zinc oxide in sunscreens.
What’s your fave for beach days?
There are so many great options out there now. For face I love Solara’s Time Traveler and kinfield Daily Dew. For body I like lovesunbody SPF 30 and EleVen Game Set Match.
Is reef safe a certification?
No! No one is monitoring the use of the term reef safe. This means brands can use it and claim it at will. Generally speaking it means not using oxybenzone and octinoxate as chemical barriers. But it can go deeper than that depending on what source you read.
What do you recommend for tinted SPF?
We are currently prepping our tinted SPF post that will go live mid June. We like to test fresh batches each year so it takes a little longer to get these up. Some of the front runners are Kosas and Saie Beauty …more to come!
What’s your go-to untinted face SPF? Share, share!
TNK Team Note: This article contains affiliate links. TNK uses affiliate links as a source for revenue to fund operations of the business and to be less dependent on branded content. TNK stands behind all product recommendations. Still have questions about these links or our process? Feel free to email us.
Ana Silva
May 7, 2020I’ve been using Marie Veronique Everyday Coverage Tinted Sunscreen SPF 30. It’s a bit gritty but I like the ingredients, the packaging (glass), the price isn’t too bad, and how my skin looks and feels after it’s applied. It’s best applied right after your face oil to help it go on smooth. And even though it’s tinted, it’s not like it covers your face up. It just doesn’t leave a white cast. Because I never use makeup, this is a great option to even my skin just a bit. I was using Pratima Skincare NEEM ROSE FACE SUNSCREEN SPF30. It’s not tinted and applies nicely. It has minimal powerful ingredients to include Neem oil. This was a staple for me for a long time. And it comes in a nice metal dispenser and it’s very affordable. It’s a great option for men. Unfortunately it goes out of stock and it’s too much to ship to Hawaii so I decided to try another one. Between these two I started using Darphin Intral Environmental Lightweight Shield Broad Spectrum Spf 50. I loved it. It had been the best face sunblock I ever tried. I read an article how Blake Lively used it and decided to try it. It is expensive for the size. But I stopped using it mostly after reading that Titanium Dioxide isn’t good for your. Darphin uses both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. The rest of the ingredients aren’t great either, but man does it work! I have tried Josh Rosebrook’s tinted sunscreen and wanted to love it but it was too greasy for me. It left me shiny and I feel like sometimes I would get tiny little breakouts here and there. And I even tried it several times. I always finish my products before moving on to a new one though. If you check out Darphin, let me know what you think.
Lisa
May 8, 2020Awesome, thanks so much. Will do! Also, I think you will really love Fitglow’s SPF 30! xo
Dana
May 13, 2020My favourite is Devita, but their new formula isn;t available quite yet!
Lisa
May 14, 2020Thanks for the heads up! xo
Debra Collins
May 20, 2020Have you checked out Kinship? I think it is a fairly new line with only a few products. Their sunscreen is getting great reviews! Would love to hear your opinion!
Lisa
May 20, 2020Okay! I just looked at them and right away I see phenoxyethanol which I personally do not promote. There are better preservatives available to use these days! xo
Shannon
June 3, 2020I think Fitglow Vita Shield sunscreen has Polysorbate 60 in the ingredient list. Isn’t this something we should avoid?
Lisa
June 4, 2020Hi Shannon! Thanks so much for this question! Typically, we can assume Polysorbate 60 (and most polysorbates) are contaminated with 1,4 dioxane; a known human carcinogen. However (as with most things in life) there are exceptions. The polysorbate 60 Fitglow uses goes through an extra step to strip it of any 1,4 dioxane byproduct. Here is their official statement: “The Polysorbate 60 we use is a co – ingredient to ensure that the ingredients are stable and blended thoroughly plus make the lotion glide smoothly over the surface of the skin for even distribution of the zinc oxide ; the component necessary to block UV rays. In the making of Vita Shield SPF30 we use less then 1 % of Ultra Pure Polysorbate 60 which is goes through extra purification processes that strip it of 1,4 dioxane / ethylene and is in compliance with California’s Prop 65.” Hope this helps! xo, Lisa
Nina
September 16, 2020Hi Lisa,
Have you tried Blissoma’s Photonic sunscreen? It my holy grail, and I’ve tried Fitglow (and the other everyday ones mentioned except Honua). It’s thinner in texture, slightly tinted, herbal scent, dries matte, no white cast, SPF 30, clean and pure. I’m on my fifth bottle! Plays well with all skincare, oils, foundations. I often mix it with my Ilia serum foundation, or with my Alima powdered foundation. Great over oils, too!
Lisa
September 18, 2020Hi Nina! I haven’t but now I will! Thanks for the suggestion! xo, Lisa
Annalisa
March 21, 2021Hi Lisa – Did Fitglow stop making the Vita Shield? It’s no longer on their website. Thanks!
Lisa
March 22, 2021Hi Annalisa! They have a batch that’s currently being approved by the FDA so it should be back soon! ; ) Lisa
Lisa Fennessy
May 20, 2022Hi Annalisa! I will be back this summer! I just talked to them ; )
Lisa
March 22, 2021Hi Jenny! I haven’t tried it to compare – sorry ; ) Lisa
Lisa
March 29, 2021Hi Chrysta! It will be back in a few months! In the meantime, I like Honua’s MALU ; ) Lisa
Alexandra
April 8, 2021Does Fitglow not sell the sunscreen anymore? I can’t seem to find it kn their website.
Lisa
April 12, 2021Hi Alexandra! I just checked in with them on this and it wont be back for another 6-8 months. They ordered some new eco-friendly packaging and it arrived damaged so they had to replace the order and are at the mercy of the manufacturer’s timeline. Such a bummer! But the good news is, it WILL be back at some point! xo, Lisa
Lisa Fennessy
May 20, 2022I just talked to them this week and it will be back soon!!! Yippie!!!
Breanna
May 25, 2021I second the recommendation for the Blissoma Sunscreen! I will say, if you have really dry skin, it might not be the preferred choice. But, as your other reader said, it works so well with face oils, etc, etc. Thank you, Beauty Heroes, for the intro to this product!
Lisa
June 24, 2021Love that you are loving Blissoma ladies! The Blissoma Sunscreen was too drying for me personally and I have normal skin. But I’m glad you found a gem for you! xo, Lisa
Lisa Fennessy
May 20, 2022Woop woop! Thanks for this Breanna!
Heather Kealamakia
March 2, 2022Have you tried any of the Native, SuperGoop, or Beautycounter sunscreens?
Lisa Fennessy
May 20, 2022Hi! I haven’t tried Native. SuperGoop does not meet our standards. And that reminds me, I saved a Beautycounter SPF for this post – I forgot I had it! lol, TY!
Nina
May 18, 2022If you love Honua Malu, you’d love Blissoma’s Photonic! I’ve used Photonic for a few years, and it plays well with everything I’ve combined it with. Just got the Malu per your recommendation, and I love it- and it reminds me of Photonic! Would love to know what you think.
Lisa Fennessy
May 20, 2022Hi Nina! Nicolle and I both tried Blissoma’s Photonic and we found it to be a little drying. Did you experience that at all? So glad you love Malu!
Lisa D. David
May 20, 2022Hi Lisa,
Thank you for your dedication and hard work for all of us. Your research on sunscreens is excellent!
I’ve always been a fan of Sun Bum sunscreens but now thinking if switching to one of your recommendations. I’m just way what your opinion is of Sun Bum??
Thank you!
Lisa
Lisa Fennessy
May 20, 2022Hi Lisa! So glad you asked! Okay Sun Bum offers both chemical barrier sunscreens and mineral barrier sunscreens. In a pinch, opt for the mineral barrier options (this is when you see zinc oxide and / or titanium dioxide listed as the “active ingredients” only). If you have time to source an SPF then I would recommend something a little better for your skin. I looked at the Sun Bum mineral SPF 30 and the first ingredient is cyclopentasiloxane. First ingredients are important because ingredients are listed in highest volume to smallest volume. So for example when water is listed first on a lotion, water can take up to 90% of that formula. Cyclopentasiloxane has been marked with some concerns by EWG. More here. Now, compare this to a pick from our list like Erin’s Faces Peptide 30 SPF where the first ingredient listed is organic Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice. BIG DIFFERENCE! Hope this helps! xo, L
Tracey French
May 20, 2022I’m so happy you tested the Erin’s Faces, I’ve been eyeballing it! Like Nicolle, I’m super sensitive, and I was so hopeful that the Le Prunier would do me right…if I don’t use it EVERY day I’m alright, but something in it is bugging my skin :S. I’m still missing the Fitglow…. :(.
Lisa Fennessy
May 20, 2022Hi Tracey! Fantastic! I think Erin’s Faces will be a great option for you. If you try it, let us know what you think! And I did hear back from Fitglow again and turns out they ARE brining it back!!! Praise be! xo, L
Dana
May 21, 2022Hi Lisa!
Thank you for these sunscreen recommendations. I’m going to try the Malu. I used to use Devita but their new formula isn’t as good.
I have another question for you (I’m sure you get it a lot). What do you recommend for fine lines? I currently use rosehip seed oil + rose water to moisturize, and a vitamin C serum. I don’t have a lot of money to spend but want to target fine lines.
Thank you so much for your help!
Andi M
July 6, 2022I recently discovered Marie Veronique’s Everyday Coverage Tinted Sunscreen SPF 30. They have three tints available (I use Light), and I like this more than any other tinted moisturizer that I’ve used (including Josh Rosebrook, Blissoma, Ayuna, etc.). I have combination sensitive skin, and prefer to use a combination SPF/foundation for ease of my daily routine. Note that I tried Le Prunier’s but need to wear a foundation over it, as the tint is too light. But Le Prunier does serve to mattify whatever foundation I use over it.
While Marie Veronique’s product says it has a light, dewy finish, I’ve found that the coverage is almost more medium on me, and the finish stays matte all day when applied over my usual moisturizer. It doesn’t cause any issues with my skin, and I love how smoothly it applies and how light it feels on my skin. There is absolutely no stickiness!
You should give this one a try!
Lisa Fennessy
July 6, 2022Hi Andi! Thanks for the add here, super helpful and I’m glad you’ve found something you love! xoxo, Lisa
Kat
July 16, 2022Appreciate your through blog! However I’m left stumped when it comes to an recommendation for an SPF that moisturizers, plays well with others, and doesn’t dry me out shortly after applying. Recently I’m finding my skincare, SPF, and tint feels as though all the moisture has evaporated from my skin once settled forcing me to add additional moisturizer shortly after I’ve completed my face.
Lisa Fennessy
August 6, 2022Hi Kat! You HAVE TO try the Plumscreen from Le Prunier. It’s only 4% zinc because the plum oil also naturally protects agains UV. It’s the most moisturizing SPF I’ve tried to date and it DOES NOT leave skin feeling dry AT ALL. xo, Lisa
Liz
August 6, 2022I am not one to post anything unless it it absolutely positive, however, it was extremely hard to read the content because of all of the ads. I really like your Instagram posts and was interested to read this blog, but it is laborious to separate the content from the spam-like ads.
Lisa Fennessy
August 29, 2022Sorry Liz. We try hard not to post too many ads but the ads allow us to continue to bring free content every week – it’s kind of a double edged sword. Big thanks for reading past them. xo, Lisa
Kat
October 30, 2022Hi Lisa, love your blog! My daughter who’s in her early 20’s and I sadly had adverse reaction’s to Honua’s MALU Day Cream, it was drying to the skin and burned our eyes if it’s a hot day. But it smells fantastic. Do you have other recommendations for those with sensitive skin? Been using Keys SPF but it’s very thick requiring a lot a friction to absorb into the skin.
JW
November 19, 2022Have you tried the new FitGlow Vitashield Sunscreen SPF 30? Thoughts?
Lisa Fennessy
December 7, 2022Yes! It’s finally back! I thought the old formula was a little more moisturizing but this is still really good, light, easy to use and rubs in clear.