How we pick our products
Welcome to our big mineral sunscreen test 2023. Here we present all the mineral sun creams that we have tested in detail. We have compiled detailed background information and added a summary of customer reviews on the internet.
We would like to make your purchase decision easier and help you find the best mineral sunscreen for you.
You will also find answers to frequently asked questions in our guide. If available, we also offer interesting test videos. Furthermore, you will also find some important information on this page that you should definitely pay attention to if you want to buy a mineral sunscreen.
Summary
- Mineral sunscreen offers you optimal sun protection without chemicals. It is a superficial protection that does not penetrate the skin and reflects the UV rays on the skin surface like a mirror.
- It is particularly skin-friendly and therefore also suitable for small children and, for example, scars.
- Mineral sunscreen is available with and without nanoparticles. The smaller the particles, the better it spreads on the skin and does not leave a strong white film.
The Best Mineral Sunscreen: Our Picks
Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying a mineral sunscreen
What exactly is a mineral sunscreen?
Conventional sunscreen is increasingly being viewed critically. It is suspected that chemical UV filters can trigger allergies. The active ingredients of chemical sunscreens are absorbed by the skin and enter the bloodstream.
In addition to the health aspect, there is also the sustainability. Certain sun creams can destroy coral reefs, as the ingredients can bleach the reefs and destroy larvae.
How does mineral sunscreen work?
This protection prevents the UV rays from reaching the skin and we are therefore immediately protected from the sun’s rays.
Chemical sunscreen, on the other hand, penetrates the skin. The UV radiation is absorbed and converted into another form of energy: heat. Chemical sunscreen therefore only works after about 20 – 30 minutes.
How long does mineral sunscreen work?
Most people use too little suntan lotion when applying sunscreen and are therefore not optimally protected from the sun from the start. Due to swimming and sweating in the sun, reapplication of sunscreen is essential. Reapplication prolongs the sun protection factor.
Basically, people with a lighter skin tone are more sensitive to UV rays. Therefore, a correspondingly higher sun protection factor is recommended. However, it can be said that good protection is also guaranteed with a lower sun protection factor, as long as we reapply the sunscreen.
Who is mineral sunscreen suitable for?
Basically, mineral sunscreen is suitable for everyone. Since it is free of chemicals, mineral sunscreen is especially recommended for sensitive skin.
Since mineral sunscreen does not penetrate the skin, it does not irritate the skin. It is therefore also compatible for small children or sensitive skin areas, such as scars.
A large number of the mineral sun creams are vegan and thus free from animal testing.
Mineral sunscreen is the right product for everyone who cares about their health, as well as marine life.
How do I recognise mineral sunscreen?
- Natural cosmetics
- Reef friendly
- Organic
- Mineral
- Vegan
- Organic
Of course, it is important to read carefully, only then can you be sure whether the sunscreen is really mineral. If you are familiar with the ingredients of the different creams, you can take a closer look at them.
What are the alternatives to mineral sunscreen?
- Chemical sunscreen: Applied to the skin. Penetrates the skin layer and converts the UV rays into energy. This protects us from sunburn. Chemical sunscreen is available up to sun protection factor 50.
- Sun oil: Easy to apply due to its liquid texture. It is also a chemical product, but only available with a low sun protection factor. Should only be used on pre-tanned skin, as sun oil can quickly lead to sunburn.
Decision: What types of mineral sunscreens are there and which one is right for you?
If you are looking for an alternative to traditional sunscreen, there are several mineral sunscreens. The main alternatives are as follows:
- Mineral sunscreen for children
- Mineral sun cream with nanoparticles
- Mineral sun cream without nanoparticles
Since we pay special attention to the choice of product, especially for children, we will also take a closer look at this point. However, all types of mineral sunscreens offer protection against UV rays and thus sunburns and, in the long run, skin cancer can be avoided.
The following overview shows you what you need to pay special attention to in order to simplify your purchase decision.
What are the characteristics of a mineral sunscreen for children?
Since the skin of babies and toddlers is particularly sensitive, the choice of mineral sunscreen must be particularly well considered. Basically, a high protection factor and a generous application rate are important. Reapplication and additional sun protection through clothing and hats are also essential.
For children’s sensitive skin, a sun protection factor of at least 30, if not 50, is recommended. Here, it is important to make sure that the mineral sunscreen does not contain nanoparticles.
The mineral sun cream should also not contain any anti-inflammatory active ingredients such as aloe vera or panthenol. Although these are very skin-friendly, they prevent the skin from reddening.
As a result, sunburn is not visible on the outside. Children should also use waterproof sun cream so that they are adequately protected even when bathing.
What are the characteristics of a mineral sunscreen with nanoparticles?
Many mineral sun creams contain so-called nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are extremely small “particles” and act as UV filters in the sunscreen. As mentioned above, these particles prevent UV rays from penetrating the skin. They are basically on the surface of the skin.
These nanoparticles are processed in a sunscreen because it is easier to apply and therefore does not leave such a strong white film on the skin. This is because the larger the processed particles are in the product, the stronger the external white colouring of the skin.
Nanoparticles are controversial, however, as it is suspected that they are membrane-permeable. This means that they can penetrate the body’s natural barriers due to their tiny size. If this is really possible, the particles could accumulate in our bodies. What this would mean for a person’s health, however, is unclear.
What distinguishes a mineral sunscreen without nanoparticles?
Mineral sun milk is based on a physical light protection filter. Here, for example, pigments such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are included. These products are also available without the processing of nanoparticles.
The health effects of nanoparticles according to current knowledge are unclear. However, in order not to take any risks, there are also products without nanoparticles.
A closer look at the packaging should reveal whether it is a mineral sunscreen with nanoparticles or without.
Buying criteria: These are the factors you can use to compare and evaluate mineral sunscreen
In the following, we will show you which aspects you can use to decide between the many possible mineral sun creams.
You can use the following criteria to compare the different products with each other:
- Coral protection
- Water resistance
- Free from plastic
- Sun protection factor
- Nanoparticles
- White effect
In the following section, we will explain what you should look for in the criteria.
Coral protection
Nanoparticles attach themselves to the reefs and bleach them. This can damage the genetic material of the coral reefs and kill the larvae. These light protection filters are also not harmless to other marine life.
Sustainability is generally an important topic and also concerns mineral sunscreen. Mineral sun creams that contain filters in the form of nanoparticles can attack coral reefs.
The products usually have a seal on the packaging so that it is immediately recognisable that the coral protection is guaranteed by the sun cream. In general, you should make sure that the mineral sunscreen does not contain nanoparticles and is waterproof.
Waterproof sunscreen means that the film on the skin does not peel off, so no particles can stick to the coral reefs.
Waterproof
Since we all sweat in the sun and of course enjoy our time in the water, a waterproof mineral sunscreen is important.
Due to the reflective surface of the water, UV radiation is amplified and we are particularly vulnerable. In addition, due to the cool wetness, the heat is not noticeable and we therefore quickly linger too long in the water.
The water resistance of mineral sunscreen is also good for coral reefs, as it means fewer particles get into the water.
Free from microplastics
Microplastics are tiny particles that are generally contained in an enormous number of cosmetic products. To avoid this point, it is easiest to use certified natural cosmetics.
To protect the oceans, Hawaii was the first state in America to ban chemical sunscreens.
Sun protection factor
Mineral sunscreen is available with different sun protection factors. For example, a sun protection factor of 20 means 200 minutes of protection for a skin type that can normally be in the sun for 10 minutes without sunscreen.
In principle, every person is advised to use a higher sun protection factor.
Nanoparticles
As already explained in the upper part, there are mineral sunscreens with and without nanoparticles. These nanoparticles are suspected of being harmful to health. Therefore, if in doubt, it is better to use a mineral sunscreen without nanoparticles.
Whitening effect
This point goes hand in hand with the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles make it easier to spread the cream, so it doesn’t leave such a white film on the skin. Basically, you have to consider what is important for you in a mineral sunscreen.
Image source: 123rf.com / maridav
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