This $13 Natural Mineral Sunscreen Was Top in Our Lab Testing (2024)

You look for "natural" and "organic" when shopping for food and other products — but what about sunscreens? When it comes to SPF, "natural" usually refers to mineral sunscreens, which use naturally-sourced minerals like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to physically block UV rays, as opposed to chemical formulas that work by absorbing UV light and converting it to heat.

Mineral SPF formulas are gaining popularity because they're free of controversial chemical sunscreen active ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate, and "in general, there's been a movement toward natural and organic skincare," says Elizabeth K. Hale, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City and senior vice president of The Skin Cancer Foundation. The term "organic" on sunscreen packaging implies that the product contains organically-produced ingredients, though the SPF active ingredients could be mineral or chemical and cannot be organic themselves because they are not derived from living matter.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab regularly tests all types of body and face sunscreens on a range of skin types, tones and ages, from sunscreens for oily skin to sunscreens for sensitive skin, sunscreens for kids and babies, and more. Our GH Beauty Lab scientists stay up to date on current sunscreen regulations and in our most recent test, started by surveying 2,319 consumers on their sun protection habits. We then tested a wide range of sunscreens, including natural and organic brands, for both sun protection efficacy and cosmetic properties (texture, scent, application, look and feel of skin during wear and more) to find the formulas that perform above the rest.

Here, our top-tested picks for the best natural and organic sunscreens, including sprays and tinted SPFs. Check out our guides to the best "reef-safe" sunscreens and pregnancy-safe sunscreens for more expert picks.

If you like your natural mineral SPF with a tint to subtly even skin tone and reduce the telltale white cast, turn to La Roche-Posay, a GH beauty editor favorite. GH Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn calls it her "everyday go-to" and GH's beauty director also appreciate its "featherlight feel" and that it's "very gentle on skin." One drawback is that at this time the formula only comes in one shade, which although it blends into many skin tones, may be too light for darker skin.

This natural mineral Sun Bum face sunscreen was gentle and wore almost flawlessly on skin in GH Beauty Lab testing. It received a near-perfect score for not causing redness or irritation, plus ranked high for not being tacky or oily, interfering with makeup or running into eyes. "I absolutely loved this! The silky texture went in like a makeup primer and worked as such," one tester said. Other users raved that it is "silky" and "looks so natural." Note, though, that it can leave a white film and be drying on skin.

Skin types susceptible to breakouts need not fear sunscreen; this Dr. Jart lotion was a top performer in GH Beauty Lab face SPF testing at tackling acne-prone skin concerns. Testers gave it top points for not causing breakouts or redness and leaving a shine-free finish (though it can have a white cast on some skin tones). They also loved its "amazing" citrus fragrance that "didn't have a whiff of sunscreen smell." A user commented: "It left my face looking smooth and matte."

A top performer in GH Beauty Lab facial sunscreen testing, Isdin's pure zinc oxide formula has a matte finish, making it great for oily skin. Testers found it didn't leave an oily or tacky feeling on skin and it provided a shine-free finish. Although it's a splurge, the liquid SPF was also gentle on skin and didn't irritate eyes. "I liked that it did not feel greasy or oily and also that it had a matte finish to it," a tester commented. GH Beauty Lab note: Be sure to shake the bottle before dispensing to mix the formula.

This gentle SPF from Colorescience was the best pure zinc oxide formula in past GH Beauty Lab body sunscreen testing. In Lab evaluations, 95% of testers agreed it didn't cause any stinging or irritation, and 100% said it didn't irritate eyes or skin even when applied on the face. The formula is a splurge, though, and some users found it tacky or greasy and difficult to remove. A fan marveled that the "silky" lotion "melted into their skin," and another added that it “spread on a lot easier and did not have the thickness" of the other formulas.

Made with 20% mineral zinc oxide and naturally-derived plant ingredients, the Babo Botanicals cream SPF was a GH Beauty Lab test winner for eliminating some of zinc’s common gripes, rubbing onto skin and rinsing off easily. The formula, which can be used on adults, children and babies, rated well at applying and washing off skin effortlessly, and not transferring onto fabrics or feeling oily or drying. Note that some users commented on its “thick” texture and it is a smaller bottle than other sunscreens, at three ounces. “It moisturized my skin without a greasy residue,” one revealed.

Neutrogena's great value zinc oxide face sunscreen was easy to apply and effective at preventing sunburn in GH Beauty Lab testing. The silky smooth, softening formula that's great for mature skin types also wears well under makeup — testers found it didn't interfere with their foundation application. Several users remarked that they liked how it "moisturized skin." It might leave a bit of a white cast at first while it soaks in so it may be better suited for lighter skin tones.

This MDSolarSciences mineral zinc oxide- and titanium dioxide-based face sunscreen is a great choice for a gentle formula that's free of obtrusive fragrance. In GH Beauty Lab testing, users gave it high marks for its fast absorption, the shine-free look that it leaves on skin, its delicate scent and that it didn’t cause skin irritation. "I like that this product had no scent and did not smell like chemicals," a tester said. Two others praised its "silky" feel, though some noted that it initially left a white film on skin.

Ulta Beauty’s mineral sunscreen lotion, bargain priced per ounce, was a Beauty Lab test winner thanks to its “light, clean” scent and satiny feel. The rich lotion earned the highest score for texture among the mineral formulas and overall for its appealing aroma, plus performed strongly at not feeling tacky or oily. But it may be difficult to rinse off, leave a white residue on skin and rub off on fabrics, testers found. “Loved the scent and the texture, and the mineral ingredients work beautifully,” one said. Two described it as “smooth and silky.”