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Mineral Sunscreen

Mineral sunscreens are famously tenacious (this is a good thing!), so removing them at the end of the day can take a little extra effort. For a lot of people, double cleansing is a good way to wash off mineral sunscreens. This process involves going in with an emollient, oil-based cleansing balm first to break up the formula, then following up with a face wash to sweep it away, leaving skin fresh and clean.

How much sunscreen to apply on your face can be confusing – but we’ve made it simple! Spread a visible layer onto your face and any other areas that will be exposed to sunlight (neck, chest, ears etc.) and massage it in fully. If you’re going to be spending a long time outdoors, apply another thin layer and reapply every two hours after that.

Believe it or not, a lot of factors go into how long mineral sunscreens last! Hands down, the most important factor is whether you applied your sunscreen liberally in the first place. It takes a little effort, but it’s important! If you do apply liberally and you’re spending most of your time inside and seeking shade while outside, that should last all day. If, however, you’re outside all day long, the general rule is to reapply every two hours.

Mineral sunscreens are not only safe for children over the age of six months, but they’re also actually recommended for them. The American Academy of Dermatology says, “Sunscreens that use the ingredients zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, or special sunscreens made for infants or toddlers, may cause less irritation to their sensitive skin.”

Mineral sunscreen – especially with today’s sophisticated formulas – is not known to clog pores, so slather away to get full sun protection! However, if you’re worried about any sunscreen clogging pores, choose a light, airy texture rather than a cream texture.

We’ll be honest with you here, yes, they can. This is because the natural color of the two mineral sunscreen active ingredients – titanium dioxide and zinc oxide – is an opaque white. When applied in a generous layer (as recommended for full protection), they can leave a visible white cast, even on lighter skin tones.

If you have a deeper skin tone, we recommend trying one of our tinted mineral options, like our RESIST Super Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 or DEFENSE Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 15.The subtle tint in these formulas helps offset the white cast and blend more seamlessly on a wider range of skin tones.

We’re continually working to improve the transparency and wearability of our mineral sunscreens across all complexions.

The best Paula’s Choice mineral sunscreen is, of course, the one you’ll want to reach for every day! Remember, texture and finish are important, so be sure to shop by your skin type. The best sunscreens for dry skin will be loaded with rich hydrating ingredients such as argan oil, while the best sunscreens for oily skin have sheer, lightweight, matte finishes that help control shine.

Yes, mineral sunscreen is better suited for reactive or extra-sensitive skin. Although synthetic sunscreens are also safe for sensitive skin types, they can cause stinging in super-sensitive skin. If your skin falls into that category, mineral’s the way to go. You may even want to consider a mineral sunscreen specifically formulated for reactive skin, like our gentle CALM Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 15, which features skin-soothing allantoin and Centella asiatica.

The top benefit of a mineral sunscreen for face is that mineral active ingredients are proven to defend skin against the #1 cause of ageing, sun damage . Mineral actives are also considered gentle and suitable for application near the eyes since they don’t cause stinging.