Byrdie / Melanie Rud How the Neutrogena Purescreen+ Mineral UV Tint Face Liquid Sunscreen Works on Different Skin Tones Caitlyn Martyn is a commerce writer on staff at Byrdie, where she covers all things beauty and style. She is obsessed with sunscreen and hasn’t gone a day without her Supergoop! Mattescreen in over two years. She’s an acne-prone, sensitive skin girlie herself, so she knows a thing or two about finding the right mineral sunscreen that’ll suit your skin.

Per the tinted part, this option comes in four shades: light, medium, medium/deep, and deep. This is a huge pro, as many tinted sunscreens—including my daily go-to that I’ve used for years—only come in one shade that claims to be “universal,” yet often isn’t. (More importantly, there aren’t a ton of tinted sunscreens to be found at the drugstore in general.) I received both the light and medium; my skin is fair with a lot of warm and yellow undertones, and I found the medium to be an almost perfect match. While I can’t say with complete confidence these four shades work on everyone, the two I tried did seem to be versatile (I could’ve gotten away with the light had I wanted to) so I do think the range is fairly inclusive. Our testing found that it blends beautifully into the skin and doesn't pill when makeup is layered on top of it. We also love that the applicator makes it easy to dole out the ideal amount of product for all-day coverage. Kowalska K. Lingonberry ( Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) Fruit as a Source of Bioactive Compounds with Health-Promoting Effects-A Review. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(10):5126. Published 2021 May 12. doi:10.3390/ijms22105126 Araviiskaia E, Berardesca E, Bieber T, Gontijo G, Sanchez Viera M, Marrot L, Chuberre B, Dreno B. The impact of airborne pollution on skin. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019 Aug;33(8):1496-1505. doi: 10.1111/jdv.15583. Epub 2019 Apr 26. PMID: 30897234; PMCID: PMC6766865. Neutrogena ® T/Gel ® everyday range of shampoos are specially designed to help clear your dandruff from first use, and with daily use go on working to keep your scalp flake-free.I was curious to see if my dad had any recommendations for which of these two sunscreens to choose, since they seem so similar at first glance. Here’s what he had to say. My Dad the Chemist’s review of Neutrogena vs. Aveeno Zinc Sunscreen SPF 50 Pop(Cuceu) AV, Tofană M, Socaci SA, et al. Determination of antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial activity of selected salvia species. BUASVMCN-FST. 2016;73(1):14-18. doi: 10.15835/buasvmcn-fst:11965 Because of the significant white cast, I’ve been using this sunscreen when I go running, since it doesn’t look as weird to have a ghostly complexion when you’re just exercising. It’s also sweat/water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

Datta HS, Paramesh R. Trends in aging and skin care: Ayurvedic concepts. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2010;1(2):110-113. doi:10.4103/0975-9476.65081 This formula is part serum, part foundation, and part SPF, allowing you to combine three steps into one (although we recommend applying a separate layer of SPF underneath for extra protection when possible). It contains plant-based squalane and two types of hyaluronic acid, which penetrate various levels of the skin to impart tons of hydration. We found the coverage to be gorgeous, sheer, and glowy, and we were impressed by the fact that it comes in 30 shades. (Pro tip: The color does change a little after you apply it, so we recommend letting it sit for 30 to 60 seconds before blending.) Plus, its broad-spectrum SPF 40 sun protection formula contains plenty of zinc oxide to keep the sun from hurting your skin. It’s nice to see that Aveeno has shared data about this product’s UVA protection factor, since it can’t actually list a UVAPF number on the label. You can see that Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Face Dry Touch Sunscreen was not listed in this pamphlet, perhaps because it offers similar protection to Aveeno’s Positively Mineral Sunscreen, and Aveeno only wanted to feature sunscreens that didn’t perform as well as this particular product. Just a guess. During testing, we appreciated the healthy glow it gave us (which, might we add, lasted all day long) and the fact that it didn’t cause any irritation, which can happen with some chemical sunscreens. It’s not the most hydrating, so we suggest layering on some moisturizer before application to ensure skin stays hydrated throughout the day.

What should you look for when shopping for mineral sunscreen?

If you’re worried about mineral sunscreen blending into your skin tone, Dr. Kim recommends looking for one that contains vitamin E. “Vitamin E could be helpful because SPF, in general, is a little on the oilier side, and vitamin E can help it blend really well in that formulation,” he says. Below, I’ve summarized the main similarities and differences in these two products’ ingredient lists. Ingredients in both products: Again, the best mineral sunscreen is the one that you’re actually going to use (and reapply, ideally every two hours!). “There’s nothing that damages the skin as much as the sun,” Dr. Kim says. Sure, your SPF can stave off premature aging and dark spots, but let’s not forget the main reason why we need and love it: It is one of the best tools we have to prevent skin cancer. The best mineral sunscreens I love trying zinc oxide sunscreens. Over the course of 2019, I’ve tried quite a few, including: Bare Republic Face Sunscreen SPF 30, All Good Sunscreen Butter SPF 50+, Coppertone Pure & Simple Sunscreen SPF 50, Badger Clear Zinc Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30, Hawaiian Sol SPF 50 Reef Safe Sunscreen. And that’s just listing the solely zinc oxide-based ones. I’ve also tried other physical sunscreens that contain a mixture of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Mineral and chemical sunscreens each have pros and cons, depending on your skin type and tone, but remember the general rule of thumb: Applying any sunscreen to protect your skin is better than using no sunscreen at all. What should you look for when shopping for mineral sunscreen?

With this advice in mind, we tried it ourselves and can honestly say that the clear zinc oxide protects skin even through the most grueling workouts or hikes, so you can be sure it will do the job even if you’re just out for a walk. Plus, it’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and provides broad-spectrum coverage against UVA and UVB rays. This is a nice choice for those with oily, acne-prone skin, as the formula doesn’t weigh down the skin or contain pore-clogging oils. It’s also worth looking into if you have anti-aging concerns, like fine lines and wrinkles. This is a good option for you if you’re not totally sure about whether you want a mineral or chemical formula—it’s a nice blend of the two. Furthermore, it goes on clear, so it’s worth trying if you don’t want to deal with a white cast. A good choice for anyone who wears makeup daily or likes to have a little something on their face, this SPF color-corrects skin with two tinted shades and leaves behind a healthy-looking glow.It comes in four different shades that blend into a wide range of skin tones, so it’s likely you’ll find a decent match. Just keep in mind that it’s a powder, so it can cling to dry patches. Be sure to layer on a good moisturizer before application if you have especially dry skin. If you’d like to cut down on products used each morning, this might be the product for you. It combines three steps—a serum, an SPF, and a foundation–at once.