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Best & Worst! Testing Mineral Sunscreen 2018

It’s time for my annual post on the Best & Worst All-Mineral Sunscreens that I tested this year!

The good news is that everybody’s coming out with mineral sunscreens now! The bad news is most of them leave a white cast, are too shiny, feel heavy and greasy, or make foundation slide around & settle into wrinkles (ugh)…

This year I tried 16 mineral sunscreens looking for ones that look good on my face, feel light and dry, and work well under makeup. It’s a tall order so there were lots of fails in this group, but I did find some good ones and hopefully you’ll be able to find one here too!

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My “Holy-Grail” Sunscreens (wearable on their own and great under makeup):

Make P:rem Defense Me SPF 50+ PA++++ (good for all skin types), Australian Gold Botanical Tinted Face SPF 50 (best for combo-oily skin), Hydropeptide Solar Defense SPF 50 (best for dry skin), Etude House Sunprise Airy Finish Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA+++

Not wearable on their own but pretty good under makeup:

Dr. Dennis Gross Dark Spot Sun Defense SPF 50, La Roche Posay Anthelios Mineral SPF 50

Best Sunscreens for People who Don’t Wear Makeup:

MyChelle Sun Shield Liquid Tint SPF 50, Ulta Tinted Mineral Face Lotion SPF 30, Murad City Skin Age Defense SPF 50 PA++++ (15% Off at Nordstrom), Perricone MD Pre:Empt Series SPF 30

FTC: Not Sponsored. All opinions are always 100% honest and my own.
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33 Responses to "Best & Worst! Testing Mineral Sunscreen 2018"

DianaTX says:

December 10, 2018 at 11:28 am

Angie,
What do you think about the skinceuticals sunscreen ? My derm always recommends that.
I would love to see your review.

Thanks

Diana

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1. Angie says:
  
  December 19, 2018 at 8:23 pm
  
  Hi Diana~ Skinceuticals makes good quality sunscreens but they’re pretty expensive. I’ve included a couple of them in my yearly mineral sunscreen reviews. If you search Skinceuticals in the search box the posts they’re in should come up. xo ~angie
  
  Reply
Joan Baumer says:

December 9, 2018 at 8:59 pm

Hi Angie! Love your videos and have found your skin care program to be remarkable. My skin type is similar to yours, so I follow all of your advice. Recently, I purchased Make Prem sunscreen and found that I could not tolerate it. Is it physical, chemical, or a combo? I purchased the blue cap version. Did I buy the wrong type? Thanks for your help – Joab

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1. Angie says:
  
  December 19, 2018 at 8:32 pm
  
  Hi Joan~ If you bought Make Prem UV Defense Me SPF 50 PA++++ then it’s an all mineral sunscreen so the sunscreen ingredients probably wouldn’t be irritating. It does contain some botanical oils that could be the culprit but it’s hard to say…
  
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Barbara Mealey says:

June 29, 2018 at 1:50 pm

I just found your blog when I was searching for the proper way to use Retin-A. Love your blogs, love your videos. I’m 68 years old and still get acne…usually stress-induced. Grrrr I have been using prescribed erythomycin topical solution USP, 2% (every morning and night), and Retin-A Cream (tretinoin) 0.025%. I’ve only been using it for 2 weeks…I started one night on, three nights off. Now up to one night on, two nights off. My question: are the sunscreens you recommended all non-comedogenic ?

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Kerri says:

June 4, 2018 at 2:19 am

Hi Angie,

Thanks for all the work you do. Have you ever tried Suntegrity 5 in 1 Natural Moisturizing Sunscreen? It’s approved by EWG (got a No. 1 rating).

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Erika says:

May 31, 2018 at 1:39 pm

Hi Angie, Thanks so much for all you do! My oldest will be going into 6th grade this year and while I know you focus on the over 50 set, I was wondering if you had any suggestions for an affordable daily sunscreen for her. She has already begun to get some acne. I feel like this would be a great time to get her in the habit of applying sunscreen every day. Thank you!

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1. Angie says:
  
  June 2, 2018 at 11:34 am
  
  Yes! It would be great if you could get her into the sunscreen habit now. Try the new Neutrogena HydroBoost Sunscreens or one of my faves Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer with PureScreen.
  
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2. Kathleen Krapf says:
  
  June 8, 2018 at 1:27 am
  
  Love watching you and can definitely relate to you truly appreciate you for being so knowledgeable. I just started with Curology and have changed my make up, cleanser, and moisturizer. I have a question about sunscreen. Is the Tinted Hydropeptide Solar Defense okay? I would like to get away with using my Chanel foundation (your holy grail which I love) and instead try the tinted sun screen during the day instead of foundation. Could you please advise?
  
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  1. Angie says:
    
    June 9, 2018 at 11:21 am
    
    The tinted Hydropeptide Solar defense is awesome, it’s SPF 30, not spf 50 which is only a small difference. Don’t forget to reapply.
    
    Reply
Sharon D. says:

May 19, 2018 at 2:36 pm

Hi Angie,
Although I am dryer than you, we share similar coloring. I was wondering if you could recommend a great foundation that does not transfer. Its embarrassing when someone at work picks up my phone and I see all the makeup on the receiver. I love the It CC cream as well as the loreal infallible….hate that it transfers to my phone!

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1. Angie says:
  
  May 22, 2018 at 9:07 am
  
  The Estee Lauder Double Wear line is probably your best bet. My fave is Double-Wear Light.
  
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Ariel says:

May 10, 2018 at 12:54 am

Hi Angie!

Love your videos and LOVE the Australian Gold Botanical Tinted Face SPF 50 recommendation from previous videos. I’ve been using it for a while and love it. But I recently read that Consumer Reports tested a bunch of mineral sunscreens and found that most have significantly less SFP protection than the label. I’m a little concerned about the mineral option now especially while using retin-a, but of course the chemical sunscreens burn when using retin-a. What a catch-22. Not sure what to do yet, but I wanted to share.
https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/sunscreens/buying-guide/index.htm

-Ariel

Reply
1. Angie says:
  
  May 12, 2018 at 3:51 pm
  
  Hi Ariel~ I wish there was a way to be sure with sunscreen, but formulating and testing them is so complicated that sometimes the result is that us consumers are left confused and unsure what to use. Unfortunately, I think the confusion causes lots of people to just give up on sunscreen altogether. My take is that sunscreen is an imperfect tool, but it’s the best thing we have to protect us from UV radiation. It’s important to also protect with hats, and clothes and to seek the shade. I believe that mineral sunscreens protect better than chemical ones (especially for the UVA spectrum), so I’m going to continue to use my faves. Another thing to consider is how Consumer reports tested the sunscreens, which was by applying them and then submerging test subjects in water for 40-80 minutes and then exposing skin to uv radiation. It may have been more a failure of their water resistance than their sun protection… So if you mainly use the AG on an average day where you’re not soaking in water for an hour and you’re applying enough, then you’re probably doing pretty well for your skin. xo ~angie
  
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  1. Tanya says:
    
    June 29, 2018 at 9:17 pm
    
    this is such a sensible response. I finally tried the Australian Gold too, after seeing your review and LOVED it. Thank you so much! Sunscreen is so important and such a pain.
    
    Reply
Karen says:

May 7, 2018 at 2:12 pm

Thank you for this video. I’ve learned so much about sunscreen from you, which not only helps me, but also my kids, who have sensitive skin. Just wondering–have you reviewed any powder sunscreens? Seems like an promising solution to the challenge of maintaining sun protection throughout the day while wearing makeup.

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1. Angie says:
  
  May 8, 2018 at 1:52 pm
  
  I’m trying 3 powder sunscreens for an upcoming video so hopefully it’ll be ready soon!
  
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Rhonda Hardy says:

May 6, 2018 at 2:01 pm

Love your you tube channel. I look forward to your recommendations and reviews. Have added Timeless products and sunscreen to my daily skincare, and you gave me the courage to use Retin A 0.1% daily. I’m interested in the oral supplements you’ve researched. Do you have a blue g or a list? Google can’t find one. My 65-year old skin thanks you!!

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Jill says:

May 6, 2018 at 9:26 am

I cannot thank you enough for recommending Australian Gold! I’ve worn it every day since I saw your video last year and I’ve recommended it to my friends.

I was reviewing some of your videos last night, did you ever do the review/tutorial with the Tarte Make Magic Happen palette or did I miss it?

Thanks for all you do!

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1. Angie says:
  
  May 12, 2018 at 4:15 pm
  
  Hi Jill~ I’m so happy you love the AG sunscreen! I never did the review or tutorial on Make Magic Happen palette but I need to do it. I’ve hit pan on the center color already, that’s how often I use it!! xo ~angie
  
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Fran says:

May 6, 2018 at 8:59 am

Hi Angie
I love the Australia gold tinted for my face and non tinted for my body,My grand son is energetic to most sun screens and this one he can use
Thanks. Have you heard anything about ponds moisture cream being compared to LA MER
Fran

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Brenda Sandoval says:

May 5, 2018 at 1:59 pm

Hi Anggie! I was wondering if you could help me out. I’m having a hard time using the botanical sunscreen. I have very dry skin and it’s not really working with me. I just go a sample of hydropeptide solar defense tinted sunscreen spf 30 and really like the way it feels and looks. So I was wondering if you knew if it has the same ingredients as the one that you use with just a lower spf? Also wondering if I would be able to mix 1/2 of hrdropeptide with 1/2 make p:rem?

Reply
1. Angie says:
  
  May 12, 2018 at 4:26 pm
  
  HI Brenda~ I don’t recommend Australian Gold sunscreen for dry skin as it can be drying. Hydropeptide is the way to go! xo ~angie
  
  Reply
Christine Klein says:

May 5, 2018 at 8:57 am

Why don’t you try Tizo sun screen. I love it.

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1. Angie says:
  
  May 12, 2018 at 4:27 pm
  
  I tried it in an earlier sunscreen testing video but wasn’t a fan. Happy you love it!
  
  Reply
Marianne says:

May 4, 2018 at 10:39 pm

Hi Angie. What are the best and safest self tanners?

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1. Angie says:
  
  May 12, 2018 at 4:28 pm
  
  I like Jergen’s Natural Glow for Body and Coola Anti-Aging Serum Sunless Tanner for face.
  
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Miriam says:

May 4, 2018 at 10:38 pm

Hi Angie,
Have you tried the CeraVe Mineral Sunscreen with SPF 50? Titanium Oxide 4.9% and Zinc Oxide. Also has ceramides and niacinamode. I’m loving it but I was wondering how it compares to the others you have tried.

Reply
1. Angie says:
  
  May 12, 2018 at 4:29 pm
  
  I have tried the CeraVe sunscreen but I found it left a white cast on my face and felt heavy. I’m happy you love it though!!
  
  Reply
ombia says:

May 4, 2018 at 4:52 pm

Wow in four month you have testes 16 products. Respect.

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Kathy Glynn says:

May 4, 2018 at 3:37 pm

Hi Angie,
What about sunscreen for your body?
Best,
Kathy

Reply
Kathryn says:

May 4, 2018 at 11:06 am

What about Clinique broad spectrum mineral sunscreen fluid for face with SPF 30 or 50????

Reply
1. Angie says:
  
  May 12, 2018 at 4:30 pm
  
  I tested Clinique sunscreen last year and it was pretty good but not great.
  
  Reply

It’s time for my annual post on the Best & Worst All-Mineral Sunscreens that I tested this year!

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