What we suggest to our patients, grouped by skin type and by how you will use it.
Every product on this page has been checked against its Drug Facts label. Picks are labeled, not ranked.
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Price per unit $ under $20$$ $20 to $40$$$ over $40
Lightweight, non-comedogenic formulas. Niacinamide helps. Hybrid formulas are fine here unless you are pregnant or want mineral-only.
Best overallAlso available tinted and deep tinted
The dermatology default for acne-prone and rosacea-prone skin: light, non-comedogenic, with niacinamide.
Active ingredients Zinc oxide 9%, Octinoxate 7.5%
Cautions
Where to buy
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
Physician pick
New in 2026. Five percent niacinamide and an oil-balancing base; EltaMD's own 12-week study showed fewer visible blemishes.
Active ingredients Zinc oxide 11%, Octinoxate 3.5%
Cautions
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
New filter
The first US sunscreen built on bemotrizinol, the UV filter FDA added in 2026. Soft-matte finish for oily skin.
Active ingredients Bemotrizinol 3%, Octocrylene 6%, Zinc oxide 10%
Cautions
Where to buy
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
New filter
Drugstore price with the new filter plus niacinamide. Available since September 2026.
Active ingredients Avobenzone 3%, Bemotrizinol 6%, Homosalate 15%, Octisalate 5%
Cautions
Where to buy
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
Best valueBest mineral option for medium and deep skin
High-zinc mineral formula that blends without the usual white cast, with niacinamide and ceramides.
Active ingredients Zinc oxide 15.35%, Titanium dioxide 2.66%
Where to buy
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
Nothing in this category matches the filters you chose.
For patients who want to avoid chemical filters. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the only legacy filters FDA has proposed as generally recognized as safe and effective. Expect some white cast on medium and deep skin unless tinted.
Best valueBest mineral option for medium and deep skin
High-zinc mineral formula that blends without the usual white cast, with niacinamide and ceramides.
Active ingredients Zinc oxide 15.35%, Titanium dioxide 2.66%
Where to buy
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
Best value
National Eczema Association seal, Skin Cancer Foundation seal, ceramides, and a drugstore price.
Active ingredients Titanium dioxide 9%, Zinc oxide 7%
Where to buy
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
Best overall
Zinc oxide as the only active, no fragrance, and ceramides for the skin barrier. Our everyday face pick for eczema, rosacea, and contact allergy.
Active ingredients Zinc oxide 19.5%
Cautions
Where to buy
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 11, 2026.
Physician pickPhysical Fusion SPF 50 is the tinted sibling
Transparent, mattifying mineral fluid that disappears under makeup.
Active ingredients Titanium dioxide 6%, Zinc oxide 5%
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
Physician pickGreen tint version corrects redness
Mineral-only with ceramides and barrier support, tested on skin after laser procedures. Our post-surgery recommendation.
Active ingredients Zinc oxide 12.9%
Where to buy
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
SpecialtyBest mineral for the water
High-zinc, 80-minute water resistance, made by surfers. Expect some cast on medium and deep skin.
Active ingredients Zinc oxide (non-nano) 18.75%, Titanium dioxide (non-nano) 4.75%
Where to buy
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
SpecialtyBest for melasma and pregnancy-related dark patches
Iron oxides block the visible light that drives melasma. Untinted mineral sunscreen does not.
Active ingredients Titanium dioxide 11%
Where to buy
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
Best overall
Mineral-only with DNA repair enzymes (photolyase). The enzyme formula with the most clinical data; we recommend it for patients with actinic damage or prior skin cancer.
Active ingredients Zinc oxide 11%
Cautions
Where to buy
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
Nothing in this category matches the filters you chose.
Daily face and body sunscreens for patients with prior skin cancer or heavy sun damage, including the DNA repair enzyme formulas we discuss in the guide.
Best overallAlso available tinted and deep tinted
The dermatology default for acne-prone and rosacea-prone skin: light, non-comedogenic, with niacinamide.
Active ingredients Zinc oxide 9%, Octinoxate 7.5%
Cautions
Where to buy
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
Best valueBest mineral option for medium and deep skin
High-zinc mineral formula that blends without the usual white cast, with niacinamide and ceramides.
Active ingredients Zinc oxide 15.35%, Titanium dioxide 2.66%
Where to buy
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
Physician pickGreen tint version corrects redness
Mineral-only with ceramides and barrier support, tested on skin after laser procedures. Our post-surgery recommendation.
Active ingredients Zinc oxide 12.9%
Where to buy
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
SpecialtyBest for melasma and pregnancy-related dark patches
Iron oxides block the visible light that drives melasma. Untinted mineral sunscreen does not.
Active ingredients Titanium dioxide 11%
Where to buy
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
Best overall
Mineral-only with DNA repair enzymes (photolyase). The enzyme formula with the most clinical data; we recommend it for patients with actinic damage or prior skin cancer.
Active ingredients Zinc oxide 11%
Cautions
Where to buy
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
SpecialtyTinted version of Actinica
Same repair enzymes as Actinica with an iron oxide tint for patients who also have uneven pigment.
Active ingredients Titanium dioxide 16.1%
Cautions
Where to buy
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
Best valueBody and family value pick
The only product to earn a perfect score in Consumer Reports' 2026 testing, for under $10. Greasy and lightly scented, so it is a body sunscreen, not a face sunscreen.
Active ingredients Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 9%, Octisalate 4.5%, Octocrylene 9%
Cautions
Where to buy
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
Best valueTouch-up stick
National Eczema Association seal and a drugstore price. Good for lips, nose, and ears.
Active ingredients Titanium dioxide 6%, Zinc oxide 4.7%
Cautions
Where to buy
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
Nothing in this category matches the filters you chose.
Waxy sticks that stay put and do not run into the eyes. Built for surfers, anglers, golfers, and anyone reapplying with wet hands. Apply several passes and rub in.
Best overall
High-zinc wax stick that blends clear, stays on in the water, and does not sting the eyes. Ideal for nose, ears, and scars after surgery.
Active ingredients Zinc oxide 22%
Where to buy
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
Best valueThe surf shop stick
Nearly the same high-zinc wax base as our physician-channel stick at a lower price, and carried by local surf and tackle shops.
Active ingredients Zinc oxide (non-nano) 22%
Cautions
Where to buy
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
SpecialtyBest tinted stick for deeper skin tones
Iron oxide tint hides the white cast most zinc sticks leave on medium and deep skin.
Active ingredients Titanium dioxide 12.4%, Zinc oxide 4.8%
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 11, 2026.
Best valueTouch-up stick
National Eczema Association seal and a drugstore price. Good for lips, nose, and ears.
Active ingredients Titanium dioxide 6%, Zinc oxide 4.7%
Cautions
Where to buy
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
Nothing in this category matches the filters you chose.
Eczema, rosacea, contact allergy, and post-surgery skin. Mineral only, fragrance-free, no botanicals or essential oils, fewest ingredients wins. Patch test behind the ear for three days before using on the face.
Best value
National Eczema Association seal, Skin Cancer Foundation seal, ceramides, and a drugstore price.
Active ingredients Titanium dioxide 9%, Zinc oxide 7%
Where to buy
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
Best overall
Zinc oxide as the only active, no fragrance, and ceramides for the skin barrier. Our everyday face pick for eczema, rosacea, and contact allergy.
Active ingredients Zinc oxide 19.5%
Cautions
Where to buy
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 11, 2026.
Physician pickTinted SPF 32 version for deeper skin tones
Hypoallergenic, oil-free, and the one we reach for after procedures.
Active ingredients Titanium dioxide 5%, Zinc oxide 6%
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
Physician pickPhysical Fusion SPF 50 is the tinted sibling
Transparent, mattifying mineral fluid that disappears under makeup.
Active ingredients Titanium dioxide 6%, Zinc oxide 5%
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
Physician pickGreen tint version corrects redness
Mineral-only with ceramides and barrier support, tested on skin after laser procedures. Our post-surgery recommendation.
Active ingredients Zinc oxide 12.9%
Where to buy
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
Best overall
High-zinc wax stick that blends clear, stays on in the water, and does not sting the eyes. Ideal for nose, ears, and scars after surgery.
Active ingredients Zinc oxide 22%
Where to buy
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
Best valueTouch-up stick
National Eczema Association seal and a drugstore price. Good for lips, nose, and ears.
Active ingredients Titanium dioxide 6%, Zinc oxide 4.7%
Cautions
Where to buy
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
Nothing in this category matches the filters you chose.
For children 6 months and older; under 6 months, shade, a brimmed hat, and light clothing come first. Every pick here is mineral only and fragrance-free, and a stick is easier to use around the eyes.
Best overall
High-zinc wax stick that blends clear, stays on in the water, and does not sting the eyes. Ideal for nose, ears, and scars after surgery.
Active ingredients Zinc oxide 22%
Where to buy
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
Best valueTouch-up stick
National Eczema Association seal and a drugstore price. Good for lips, nose, and ears.
Active ingredients Titanium dioxide 6%, Zinc oxide 4.7%
Cautions
Where to buy
Checked against the product's Drug Facts label on October 10, 2026.
Nothing in this category matches the filters you chose.
