Switching to a natural sunscreen can feel like one of the trickier steps in a more considered beauty routine. Natural, mineral sunscreens are notoriously difficult to formulate and often leave a white, chalky look. But, rest-assured, a good mineral sunscreen can be found and isn't a compromise. Once you find the right one, it can genuinely become your everyday favourite.
In this guide, we'll share what mineral sunscreen actually is, how it compares to chemical SPF, and what to look for on the label, plus the natural suncare products we stock at Blomma Beauty that we think are well worth knowing about.
Mineral vs Chemical Sunscreen: What's the Difference?
This is the question we get asked most because it can be difficult to know what the functionality of each sunscreen is. A survey found that 61% of UK sunscreen users don't feel confident they understand how chemical and mineral SPF products differ. [1] Here's a breakdown of how they both work.
Chemical sunscreen uses synthetic UV filters (ingredients like oxybenzone, avobenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene) that work by absorbing into the skin and neutralising UV radiation. They typically need around 20–30 minutes to become fully effective after application. If a product doesn't explicitly say "mineral" on the label, it's likely using synthetic filters.
Mineral sunscreen (also called physical sunscreen) uses naturally derived minerals (primarily zinc oxide, and sometimes titanium dioxide) to form a physical barrier on the surface of the skin. Rather than absorbing into the skin, these filters sit on top, deflecting UV rays. One practical upside: protection is immediate, so there's no waiting around before heading outside.
Neither type is perfect, but understanding the difference helps you choose what works best for your skin, values and lifestyle. If you want to read more on this topic, check out our Mineral vs Chemical Sunscreen Blog
Why Mineral Sunscreen Can Be a Good Option for Sensitive Skin
Because mineral sunscreen sits on the surface of the skin rather than being absorbed, many consider it a gentler option for people with sensitive or reactive skin. Zinc oxide in particular has a long track record in skincare as supporting the skin. It's used in nappy rash creams, wound care and acne treatments and has both antibacterial properties and a role in skin repair.
For anyone dealing with prickly heat, eczema in the sun, rosacea or acne-prone skin, mineral SPF is often worth trying. It also tends to be the preferred choice for use on babies and young children, where minimising unnecessary synthetic ingredients makes sense.
As for the white cast mineral sunscreens are historically associated with, modern formulations have come a long way and we've tested a lot of different products. Non-nano zinc oxide in particular can be blended to absorb smoothly, leaving a natural finish rather than a chalky one.
Mineral Sunscreen & the Environment
Some chemical UV filters have been linked to environmental concerns. Oxybenzone and octinoxate in particular have been associated with damage to coral reefs, and have been restricted or banned in some regions including Hawaii and Palau as a result. [2]
Mineral sunscreens are generally considered to be a better option for aquatic ecosystems. Zinc oxide is recognised as less harmful to waterways, and choosing a certified organic formulation means the rest of the ingredients (the plant oils, butters and botanicals) have been grown and sourced with environmental standards in mind.
If this matters to you, it's worth looking for a genuine independent reef-safe certification rather than a logo a brand has designed themselves.
Understanding SPF, UVA and UVB
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) measures protection against UVB rays which are the short-wave rays responsible for sunburn and surface skin damage. UVA rays are longer wave, penetrate deeper into the skin and are linked to premature ageing and sun spots. Unlike UVB, UVA is present year-round and can penetrate glass, which is why many dermatologists recommend wearing SPF daily, not just on holiday.
For comprehensive protection, look for **broad spectrum** coverage so that the formula addresses both UVA and UVB. This is sometimes indicated by the words "broad spectrum" on the front of the pack, or a UVA-in-a-circle symbol on the back.
A minimum SPF 25 is generally recommended for daily use. To put the numbers in perspective: SPF 25 blocks around 96% of UVB rays, while SPF 30 blocks around 97%. With a difference of just 1% consistent daily reapplication tends to matter more than chasing a higher number, especially with chemical sunscreens where the formulation gets more laden with synthetic ingredients the higher the factor. [3]
What to Look for on the Label
The word "mineral" on a label is a good start, but it doesn't tell the whole story. Some products marketed as mineral sunscreens also contain synthetic UV filters alongside the zinc oxide, and the rest of the formula may include petrochemicals, silicones, artificial fragrances or synthetic preservatives.
If you're looking for genuine transparency about what's in the bottle, independent organic certification is the clearest signal. Standards like COSMOS (administered in the UK by the Soil Association) or Natrue regulate every ingredient in the formulation not just the active UV filter.
One other thing to be aware of is nanoparticles. Smaller nano-sized particles of zinc oxide can be used to improve a formula's blendability and reduce white cast, but the long-term effects of nanoparticles on skin cells aren't yet fully comprehended. By law, they must be declared on the INCI ingredients list if present. Formulas certified by COSMOS/Soil Association are required to be nanoparticle-free, which takes the guesswork out of it.
What to Seek Clarification on Beyond the Label
Recently there have been several sunscreen scandals involving brands where their sunscreen was tested and found to be a lower SPF than then claimed [4]. There are also lots of handmade sun creams by smaller, artisan brands that may be skincare products masquerading as suncare products without possessing the proper controls, measures and certifications.
To be sold in the UK, SPFs must pass strict testing that's instructed by the Office for Product Safety and Standards. The formulation will be lab tested as well as in-vivo (tested on human volunteers) to determine the safety of the product and confirm the SPF. Odylique, for example, send their sun products to an Australian lab for testing. Their mineral SPF regularly tests above SPF 40 but it is graded at SPF 30 to be cautious.
If you are in any doubt that a product is legitimate, always check with the seller or brand directly, asking for more details on the testing and SPF confirmation.
Mineral Sunscreens Worth Knowing About
At Blomma Beauty, we stock only mineral SPFs that are honestly formulated, wear well on skin, and have the certifications to back up their claims.
Odylique Natural Sun Screen SPF 30
Odylique have been formulating certified organic skincare for over 30 years, and their sunscreen is arguably their most impressive achievement. They were the first brand to have a sunscreen both organically certified and approved by the Fairtrade Foundation. That dual certification is genuinely rare and brings real transparency to how the product is made and where the ingredients come from. It's also certified cruelty free by PETA.
What's in it: zinc oxide and karanja oil as the UV filters. There are no synthetic UV filters and no hidden chemical alternatives. Karanja is a cold-pressed seed oil with natural broad spectrum UV-filtering properties, used traditionally in Ayurvedic skincare.
A few things that make it stand out:
- Broad spectrum UVA and UVB coverage. It's SPF 30 for UVB with a UVA rating of 14.5
- Nanoparticle free and certified by COSMOS and Soil Association which prohibit nanoparticles
- Vegan. They use candelilla wax rather than beeswax or honey, which is still fairly uncommon in natural suncreams.
- Hypoallergenic and suitable for sensitive skin as well as for use on babies and children
- No white cast. The yellow tone of this SPF (from the organic sunflower oil) typically means it blends well and won't leave you looking overly coated. We've seen lots of skin tones try this sun lotion and usually it's a winner.
- Fairtrade certified - one of only a handful of sunscreens in the world to carry this
- It also comes in a tinted version for the face and is available in 12 shades. Check out our Natural Cream Foundation SPF 25
UpCircle Mineral SPF 25
UpCircle's sunscreen took over three years and more than 20 formulation iterations before they were happy with it. The brief was a mineral SPF that worked for all skin tones, absorbed well, and didn't compromise on their sustainability commitments.
The hero ingredient is upcycled raspberry seed oil, rescued from the juicing industry and used here for its high antioxidant content as well as vitamins A and E that support skin resilience and help defend against environmental free radical damage. Everything about the packaging reflects the same ethos: plastic-free, 100% recyclable, and available as a refill.
What it offers:
- Non-nano zinc oxide for broad spectrum protection that blends cleanly. The absorbency of this SPF is more matte than the richer Odylique one.
- SPF 25 blocks 96% of UV rays and it's been dermatologically tested and designed to work for all skin tones
- Non-comedogenic so it won't clog pores. It's formulated with sunflower oil and lavender oil, making it a considerate option for acne-prone skin and aloe vera helps calm and soothe to avoid prickly heat
- Reef safe. It's free from chemical UV filters linked to marine damage
- 100% vegan and cruelty free as certified by The Vegan Society and Leaping Bunny
- Plastic-free and refillable packaging
How to Apply Mineral Sunscreen
Now that you've chosen your new favourite sun lotions, here's a few things that make a real difference to getting the most out of it.
- Apply as the last step of your skincare routine, before makeup
- Use roughly a pea sized dollop per area of your body i.e. face, upper arms, lower arms etc. This is an important step as most people apply less than the amount used in SPF testing, which reduces the effective protection
- Reapply every two hours when outdoors, particularly after swimming or sweating
- Don't forget ears, eyelids and lips
- SPF is worth wearing year-round because UV damage accumulates over time, not just on sunny days. Balance your SPF wearing with giving your skin enough time each day to absorb vitamin D [5]
In summary, there's no single right answer when it comes to sunscreen, the best one is the one you'll actually use every day. But if you're curious about mineral SPF, or you've had reactions to conventional sunscreens in the past, or sustainability is part of how you approach your routine, mineral sunscreen is worth exploring.
Shop Natural Sun Care
Appendix: Sources & Further Reading
[1] UpCircle Beauty — Chemical vs Mineral Sunscreen Guide
https://upcirclebeauty.com/blogs/upcircle/chemical-vs-mineral-sunscreen
[2] NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) — Research on sunscreen chemicals and coral reef impact (2015); referenced in Odylique Eco Friendly Sunscreen Guide
https://odylique.co.uk/blog/eco-friendly-sunscreen/
[3] UpCircle Beauty — Guide to SPF (SPF 25 vs SPF 30 protection levels)
https://upcirclebeauty.com/blogs/upcircle/guide-to-spf
[4] Which Sunscreen Testing https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/two-sunscreens-fail-which-tests-but-weve-also-found-some-great-value-options-we-recommend-akP7Y2R3U7sn
[5] NHS Guidance on Vitamin D https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/