Is Mineral Sunscreen Better for Sensitive Skin?

If you have sensitive skin, you know that finding a sunscreen that actually plays nice with your skin can feel daunting. There’s plenty of buzz around mineral sunscreen being a gentler choice for sensitive skin. But is it really “better”?

While “better” depends on your unique skin needs, there are definitely some reasons why mineral sunscreen might be your skin’s new best friend.

In this guide, we’ll break down what makes mineral sunscreen great, share why your skin might love it, and highlight a few Supergoop! mineral SPF options made with sensitive skin in mind.

Is Mineral Sunscreen Better for Sensitive Skin?

Let’s get one thing straight: “Better” is always subjective. What works wonders for one person’s skin, sensitive or not, might not for someone else. That said, there’s a reason mineral sunscreens are a popular pick for anyone dealing with redness, reactivity, or breakouts.

Mineral sunscreens (also called physical sunscreens) use active ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to create a physical barrier on your skin that deflects UV rays. Because these minerals sit on top of the skin rather than being absorbed, they can be a gentler choice for those prone to irritation.

3 Mineral Sunscreens for Sensitive Skin

If you’re leaning toward a mineral sunscreen for sensitive skin, here are three favorites that fans swear by:

Mineral Mattescreen SPF 40

Mineral Mattescreen was designed for daily wear, even for those with sensitive skin. The whipped, airy formula is lightweight and non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog pores. It also has a soft matte finish to keep shine in check and is tinted to minimize white cast. Bonus: Mineral Mattescreen doubles as a makeup-gripping primer!

Mineral Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40

Love our original Unseen Sunscreen? Meet its mineral sibling! Mineral Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40’s weightless, scentless, and blendable formula is recommended for sensitive skin. It’s non-comedogenic, so you won’t have to worry about clogged pores. Not to mention it pulls double duty as a makeup-gripping primer.

Glowscreen Drops Mineral SPF 40

If you’d like a little glow skin, Glowscreen Drops deliver. These soft glow drops are made with mineral SPF and crafted with a plant-derived prebiotic known to help balance skin.

Mineral Sunscreen Isn’t the Only Option for Sensitive Skin

While mineral sunscreen is often the go-to for sensitive skin, it’s not your only option. The right chemical and hybrid sunscreens can work beautifully too!

For example, our iconic Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50 is recommended for all skin types, including sensitive. The updated formula is non-acnegenic, non-comedogenic, scentless, weightless, and non-greasy. It also features a complex of chamomile-derived bisabolol and licorice root known to visibly soothe and help improve skin’s clarity. Plus, 98% of people agreed that it doesn’t feel irritating on skin.**

Then there’s Protec(tint) Daily Skin Tint SPF 50: A hybrid sunscreen that features both mineral and chemical actives for feel-good protection that's recommended for sensitive skin. With 14 flexible shades and a natural, second-skin finish, it leaves you looking radiant. Plus, 100% of users in an independent study said it felt comfortable and couldn’t believe it had SPF 50 protection!***