9 best mineral sunscreens for your whole family (that really work)

Evereden’s innovative baby and kid skincare products are backed by decades of dermatological expertise from Harvard and Stanford-trained professionals–to say the brand has high standards would be a wild understatement. We recently tried Evereden’s new Kids SPF 50 Premium Mineral Sunscreen and from the product to the packaging we couldn’t be more impressed. The non-nano formula is thin but not runny, with a super light scent that fades pretty quickly. It sinks in instantly and leaves a silky but not greasy feel behind. Because of its ingredients, it’s totally safe for babies, pregnant mamas and anyone with sensitive skin. (It’s reef-safe as well!) And since the best sunscreen is the one you actually remember to bring, the fact it comes with a carabiner on the lid means I’ve had it at hand constantly. Truly a win win!

It would be hard to overstate the perfection that is MDSolarSciences. From its silky soft texture that’s not at all sticky or greasy to its completely sheer application (even on dark skin!), I’ve never used another sunscreen like it. And given the fact it’s developed by a dermatologic oncologist and made in small batches, there really isn’t another sunscreen like it.

The SPF 50 mineral-based formula is powered by titanium dioxide and zinc oxide and jam-packed with skin-boosting ingredients like Vitamin C and aloe. It’s completely fragrance-free, safe for sensitive skin and blends in like a dream. It’s on the thicker side, but definitely give it a shake before opening it since it can separate a bit.

(We also love that MDSolarSciences is super committed to sustainability with fully recyclable packaging and 100% vegan and reef-safe formulas!)

As a mom who wears facial sunscreen every single day whether I’m planning to be in the sun or not, I’m getting my kids into the same habit. After all, UV rays are UV rays whether they’re in the pool in June or playing on the playground in December. To keep their faces protected all year round, I’m a big fan of the (S)undercover Face Sunscreen from Tubby Todd. Like the rest of their clean bath and body products, this non-nano mineral sunscreen was developed with sensitive-skinned babies in mind, but effective for kids and adults too. The zinc-based formula is thin but not runny, allowing it to glide on almost like serum. Most impressively it sinks in almost instantly without feeling sticky or leaving a shiny white cast. And even though it sits next to my kids’ toothpaste to remind them to put it on, it’s so lovely I’ve taken to using it myself!

Mamas of kiddos with eczema may know Mustela for their sensitive skincare products for babies and kids, but did you know they have a sunscreen line as well? One of our fave products, a SPF 50 sunscreen stick, is formulated with sensitive skin in mind. They are both broad-spectrum and non-nano mineral sunscreens that have received National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Eczema Association (NEA) seals. We can attest that Mustela’s sunscreen stick goes on smooth and clear and dare we say, easy to apply to a wiggling toddler and baby? It’s also one of the few that’s EWG verified, meeting their strictest standards for health and safety.

Bonus: Mustela is a B-Corp and they’re committed to sustainability: all containers are recyclable, they use 100% green electricity in the production process and they’re aiming to go carbon-neutral by 2030.

The plant-based formula has a blend of coconut oil and shea butter so it’ll leave the kiddos with super-soft skin, even after a day out in the sun. This is specifically formulated for your little ones and is water-resistant up to 80 minutes. It’s not greasy and the spray means you can lather down even the squirmiest child. (Also, we prefer this milky spray to the aerosol can style which in some conditions puts as much product into the wind as it does onto the body.)

It’s SPF 50 and works great for the face and body, making it a great one to just toss in your bag for broad-spectrum protection all summer long.

The people have spoken, and they’ve crowned Thinkbaby as their favorite. We have to agree with the 9k+ Amazon reviewers who have made this sunscreen a bestseller for the retailer. Thinkbaby consistently scores high with the EWG (Environment Working Group), meeting the requirements to be EWG verified and it was the first sunscreen to pass Whole Foods Premium Care requirements.

Created with safety for families in mind and made in the USA, the brand also offers a mineral-based kids sport sunscreen with SPF 50 and a regular sport SPF 50. And after testing all of them on our families, we can say the proof is in the pudding… er, broad-spectrum sunscreen. We loved the citrus-y smell and the fact that it glides on baby and adult skin alike. At this price point, it’s worth stocking up on.

If you’re looking to make SPF a lifestyle and not just a beach-day application, Supergoop is your answer. A cult favorite with beauty types and approved by experts as well, Supergoop combines sunscreen and skincare into one seamless line of products—the company motto, after all is, “Healthy skin starts with daily SPF.”

While the original Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 is beloved by beauty editors everywhere as a velvety makeup primer and the Sunnyscreen Mineral Lotion is great for babies six months and older, we also like the ultra-lightweight, water-resistant mineral version of their best-selling Play lotion.

Unlike other mineral sunscreens, this one washes off pretty easily. And while it’s not the most sheer pick on our list, we do love that it’s packed with natural ingredients like green algae and tucuma butter to keep skin protected and nourished.

All hail La Roche-Posay! The brand’s Anthelios 60 Melt-in Sunscreen Milk has received a perfect score of 100 from Consumer Reports five years in a row, so it was a no-brainer for us to demo the natural version, Anthelios SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen.

Let us be clear: This is the fanciest sunscreen on our list. With a spa-like scent, Anthelios feels like something that would be slathered on your face during a facial. Milky and moisturizing, it blends easily onto the skin and can be used on face and body and is safe for adults and kids alike.

The downside? The price… but this is a case in which you get what you pay for. And trust us when we say it’s money well spent.

If you’ve got a little one with skin issues, finding a sunscreen that doesn’t cause irritation can be a real challenge. Fragrance, soy, dairy and gluten-free, the Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sunscreen is a favorite among mamas with sensitive-skinned babes. The EWG verified formula isn’t greasy or gloppy and blends in well without leaving too much white cast. And it’s not just for babies! Adults with eczema and rosacea find it’s gentle enough to keep them protected without causing them to flare up.