Now Testing: Mineral sunscreen

An exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at our testing Nancy Redd We all scream for ice cream, but Wirecutter screens for sunscreen! Not all sunscreens are created equal, or with the same ingredients. Recent studies have shown that some sunscreen ingredients can be harmful to coral reefs and [some chemicals persist in the bloodstream](. So we decided to put 11 mineral, reef-friendly sunscreens to the test against our current mineral sunscreen pick, [Thinksport SPF 50+](. — Nancy Redd Wirecutter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. [Learn more](. What we tested We tested 11 mineral sunscreen lotions. Seven are specifically marketed for the face: - [Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense SPF 30]( - [Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense SPF 30]( - [All Good Tinted SPF 30]( - [Coppertone Pure & Simple Face SPF 50]( - [Neutrogena Sheer Zinc SPF 50]( - [Aveeno Positively Mineral Sensitive Skin SPF 50]( - [Thinksport Everyday Face SPF 30+]( And four are face and body formulas: - [SPF RX SPF 40]( - [Coppertone Pure & Simple SPF 50]( - [Goddess Garden SPF 50]( - [Blue Lizard Sensitive SPF 30]( How we tested We looked for lightweight, sheer, broad-spectrum sunscreens. On top of that, we needed them to have an SPF of 30 or higher, the minimum that experts suggest for proper protection. We separated our testing pool by face and body sunscreens, and we asked our testers to fill out a questionnaire for each one. For facial sunscreens, testers unanimously fell in love with [Drunk Elephant’s mineral-only sunscreen](. Despite its hefty price tag, its superior absorbency and lightweight feel (in both tinted and “sheer” formulas) were impossible to beat. Although [Thinksport SPF 30 Everyday Face Tinted Sunscreen]( didn’t test as well as our pick, it’s much more budget-friendly than Drunk Elephant and was praised for its near-invisibility. Our testers also paid attention to how each sunscreen felt and looked on their skin, whether it was sticky or heavy, and if it gummed up body hair or left a white cast. [Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Face Sunscreen]( was kind of sticky and difficult to absorb, frequently leaving a whitish cast. One of our hairiest testers said it turned their beard “white like Santa Claus.” As for body sunscreen, our testers determined how long it took for each sunscreen to fully absorb—which in the case of some sunscreens, like SPF RX SPF 40, was never. The [SPF RX SPF 40]( felt heavy on the skin and looked very chalky. We wanted to like this sunscreen more since it’s the most affordable option in our testing pool, at only $1.50 per ounce in the gallon size (compared with Thinksport’s $3.50 per ounce in its largest iteration, the 6-ounce tube). SPF RX SPF 40 (left) looks chalky compared with Thinksport. Video: Nancy Redd [Thinksport]( trusty, long-term reef-friendly sunscreen pick—remained the top mineral-only body sunscreen by a wide margin with testers. It applied effortlessly to our skin. For now, look and feel are our most important concerns. But we’ll take our top picks out with us while we’re social distancing this summer, and we will report any adverse reactions that may sway our choices in the long run. By the numbers 3 Weeks spent in the sun 11 Additional mineral-only sunscreens tested 100+ Total limbs slathered in lotions over years of testing sunscreen The verdict Nancy Redd [Drunk Elephant’s sunscreen]( will be our top pick for mineral-only facial sunscreen. For mineral-only body sunscreen, [Thinksport]( remains our top pick. What else we’re testing - Instant noodles - Hiking boots - Baby vital sign monitors Look for a behind-the-scenes preview of some of our testing in your inbox each month. You’ll also find the latest on our site. What else should we test? Reply and let us know, or send us a [tweet](. Copyright © 2020 Wirecutter, Inc., all rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up for our newsletters. You are free to unsubscribe at any time.‌ Our mailing address is: Wirecutter, Inc. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018‌ [View this email in your browser]( [Unsubscribe from this list]( | [Update subscription preferences‌](