Zinc Oxide Sunscreen

Zinc oxide sunscreen provides mineral protection against environmental aggressors—including UV light, infrared light, blue light, and pollution—to keep skin looking young, vibrant, and at its best. Chemical formulas can cause irritation and harm your overall health, so tap into the power of nature and choose Colorescience mineral sunblock* for a safe, effective alternative. We offer an assortment of zinc sunscreen formulas so you can select the products that suit your style and promote a healthy, glowing complexion.
Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Brush-On Shield SPF 50 powder
Best of Beauty Allure Award Winner 2021
award winner

Available in 4 shades

Sunforgettable® Total Protection® Brush-On Shield SPF 50

$69.00

FAIR

FAIR

Usually burns, Tans minimally

MEDIUM

MEDIUM

Sometimes burns, Tans uniformly

TAN

TAN

Rarely burns, Always tans well

model with deep skin tone

DEEP

Never burns, Tans very easily

0 0 0 0
Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Face Shield Glow SPF 50 formula
0
Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Color Balm SPF 50
viral must have
new shades

Available in 6 shades

Sunforgettable® Total Protection® Color Balm SPF 50

$39.00

0 0 0 0 0 0
Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Sport Stick SPF 50 formula
0
SUNFORGETTABLE® TOTAL PROTECTION™ FACE SHIELD CLASSIC SPF 50 swatch
Oprah Mag O-Ward Fall 2018
AWARD WINNER
0
Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Sheer Matte SPF 30 Sunscreen Brush powder
0
Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Face Shield Bronze SPF 50 formula
0
Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Brush-on Shield SPF 50 powder
allure award seal 2021
Buy 2, Get 1 Free

Available in 4 shades

Sunforgettable® Total Protection® Brush-on Shield SPF 50 Multipack

$138.00 ( $207 value)

Fair

FAIR

Usually burns, Tans minimally

MEDIUM

MEDIUM

Sometimes burns, Tans uniformly

TAN

TAN

Rarely burns, Always tans well

DEEP

DEEP

Never burns, Tans very easily

0 0 0 0
Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Sport Stick formula
0
Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Body Shield Bronze SPF 50 formula
0
Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Body Shield Classic SPF 50 swatch
0
Brush Cleaning Wipes

Brush Cleaning Wipes

$14.00

0
Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Face Shield SPF 50 Flex swatch in fair
Elle Future of beauty winner 2021 VIRAL MUST HAVE
AWARD WINNER

Available in 4 shades

Sunforgettable® Total Protection® Face Shield Flex SPF 50

$54.00

model with fair skin

FAIR

Ivory and Pale Skin Tones

model with fair skin tone

FAIR

Fair and Light Skin Tones

model with medium skin tone

MEDIUM

Beige and Golden Skin Tones

model with medium skin tone

MEDIUM

Light Brown and Olive Skin Tones

model with tan skin tone

TAN

Medium Brown Skin Tones

model with deep skin tone

DEEP

Deep Skin Tones

0 0 0 0
Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Face Shield Matte SPF 50 swatch
0

Available in 8 shades

Digital Gift Card

$50.00

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Brush-On Shield Glow SPF 50 swatch
2023 NewBeauty Award Best Powder Sunscreen
award winner
0
Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Brush-On Shield Bronze SPF 50 swatch
new
0
Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Face Shield Bronze SPF 50 and Brush-On Shield SPF 50
pick your perfect pair
0
Tint du Soleil™ Whipped Mineral Foundation SPF 30 swatch
PEPTIDE TREATMENT

Available in 4 shades

Tint du Soleil™ Whipped Mineral Foundation SPF 30

$59.00

0 0 0 0
Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Face Shield Classic SPF 50 and Body Shield Classic SPF 50
Face + Body

Head to Toe Protection

$90.00 (up to $103 value)

0
Total Eye® 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35
viral must have
AWARD WINNER

Available in 4 shades

Total Eye® 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35

$79.00

Light

Light

Usually burns, Tans minimally

Medium

Medium

Sometimes burns, Tans uniformly

Tan

Tan

Rarely burns, Always tans well

Deep

Deep

Never burns, Tans very easily

0 0 0 0
Lip Shine SPF 35
Peptide Treatment

Available in 5 shades

Lip Shine SPF 35

$42.00

0 0 0 0 0
Untinted Total Protection™ Trio: Total Protection™ No-Show™ Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50, Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Sheer Matte SPF 30 Sunscreen Brush, Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Sport Stick SPF 50
sheer coverage
0
Suzetty's Favorites: Total Eye 3in1 Renewal Therapy, Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-on Shield SPF 50, Lip Shine SPF 35, Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50
Suzetty's Picks
staff favorite

Everyday Glam

$199.00 (up to $244 value)

0
Total Protection™ No Show™ Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 swatch
2024 NewBeauty Award Winner - The Beauty Authority 2023 InStyle Best Beauty Buys
new

Available in 2 shades

Total Protection® No-Show™ Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

$45.00

0 0
6 Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Brush-on Shield SPF 50 and 1 SPF 30 Sunscreen Brush
Allure 2021 Best of Beauty Award
you pick any 3

Brush-On Shield Custom Trio

$165.00 (up to $207 value)

0
Color Balms SPF 50: top left to right: golden hour, pink sky, violet haze; bottom left to right: berry, bronze, blush
you pick any 3

Color Balm SPF 50 Custom Trio

$102.00 (up to $117 value)

0
Barrier Pro™ Essential Moisturizer, Barrier Pro™ 1-Step Cleanser, Face Shield Flex SPF 50
custom coverage

Healthy Skin Habits

$148.00 (up to $178 value)

0
Barrier Pro™ Essential Moisturizer, Barrier Pro™ 1-Step Cleanser, No-Show SPF 50
untinted

Healthy Skin Habits

$142.00 (up to $169 value)

0

FAQs

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WHAT IS ZINC OXIDE SUNSCREEN?

Zinc oxide, as an active ingredient in sunscreen, is used to protect against the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays, offering broad-spectrum coverage and environmental defense that’s free of harsh chemicals. Whereas chemical formulas (and their toxic ingredients) absorb into skin and filter UV light, zinc acts as a physical barrier and works by creating a shield on the skin’s surface.

Zinc oxide, a naturally occurring mineral, has reflective properties that can scatter and refract the sun’s UV light—in addition to infrared (IR) light, blue light, and free radicals in polluted air—when applied to the face and body. The tiny particles within the mineral compound form a barrier and act like a mirror that reflects environmental aggressors away from the skin to prevent cellular damage and premature aging.

This mineral has a number of fantastic skin benefits, which is why you might see it included in soothing skincare products such as baby powder. Forgot to apply SPF and look a little red? Zinc oxide powder sunscreen may be effective at healing wounds and reducing the tenderness you feel after getting a sunburn—so wear it inside, outside, and around the clock to reap its full effect!

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WHAT PRODUCTS CONTAIN ZINC OXIDE SUNSCREEN?

Colorescience has several options when it comes to zinc oxide sunscreen, ensuring you can find the right formula for your skin type and its needs.

  • Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Brush-on SPF 50: Our most popular product applies using an attached, self-dispensing brush that makes implementing daily SPF protection an effortless part of your morning routine. The mineral powder can be worn alone or over makeup, so throw this pocket-sized skin protector in your bag to easily reapply on-the-go.
  • Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Face Shield SPF 50: For those who prefer a liquid formula, this zinc oxide sunscreen formulas blends weightlessly into all skin tones for natural UVA and UVB protection, with added defense against blue and infrared light. Find your perfect match and choose between three shades: original, glow, and bronze.
  • Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Body Shield SPF 50: Don’t forget the importance of full body protection when combating the damaging effects of the sun. We offer zinc SPF in two shades—original and bronze—that can be safely applied to the entire body without fear of toxins.
  • Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Sport Stick SPF 50: You can also opt for rich mineral protection in our new stick format. It’s the perfect, family-safe companion for all your outdoor activities and the hassle-free application makes it easier than ever to defend against sun exposure.
  • Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Color Balm SPF 50: The skin on your lips is very thin and needs additional defense, so nourish and shield your pout with our powerful lip formula. Specially selected ingredients protect against harmful aggressors while offering buildable color for a custom look.
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WHY IS ZINC SUNSCREEN BETTER THAN CHEMICAL FORMULAS?

Zinc sunscreen is better than chemical formulas because it does not penetrate the skin barrier. Chemical sunscreen, on the other hand, works by converting the UV rays absorbed by the skin into heat and then releasing the heat from the body. This is problematic for a few reasons:

  1. Sun damage is caused by ultraviolet light forming free radicals within skin cells that impair the functionality and structure of the tissue. Collagen breaks down, elastin production decreases, skin begins to sag, and wrinkles begin to form. Sun-induced hyperpigmentation can lead to dark spots and in some cases, the development of cancerous cells.

    Repeated sun exposure leads to cumulative damage over time, but chemical formulas can also worsen skin conditions overnight. They tend to be sticky or greasy, and because they absorb into skin, they can frequently clog pores. Zinc face sunscreen, on the other hand, never penetrates pores and does not cause breakouts, making it the best sunscreen for acne-prone skin.

  2. The chemical reaction that occurs when UV light is filtered generates heat and commonly triggers skin irritation among many users. If you have a heat sensitivity, you may experience this reaction in the form of a rash, redness, blotchiness, hives, itching, or burning. Zinc sunscreen offers a gentler SPF solution with an organic, natural formula that will never cause flare-ups its chemical counterparts are known for. It’s so kind on sensitive skin, in fact, that zinc SPF is safe to use on babies—but always talk to your doctor before introducing your child to new mineral compounds.

  3. The ingredients added to chemical sunscreen formulas to filter UV light can be incredibly harsh, trigger allergic reactions, and release toxins in the body that can harm our overall health. Oxybenzone, for example, is one of the most common chemical filters you’d encounter on the backs of SPF labels, but it’s been shown to readily absorb into skin, enter into the bloodstream, disrupt the endocrine system, impair hormone function, promote the growth of cancerous breast tissue, and many more eyebrow-raising concerns.

    What’s more, oxybenzone tests present in breast milk—meaning it can be passed along to nursing children—as well as urine samples. When rinsed off skin in the ocean, the chemical is extremely harmful to underwater ecosystems; just one drop of oxybenzone in an Olympic-sized pool is enough to kill coral reef! That’s why leaders like Hawaii and the Virgin Islands have passed legislation that bans these products outright and mandates sunscreen without oxybenzone such as zinc.

  4. Finally, the best zinc sunscreen for face and body is made with only the purest, most wholesome ingredients. At Colorescience, we add antioxidants to our mineral SPF that help correct damage caused by free radicals. Rich doses of nutrients keep skin hydrated and healthy, whereas the artificial scent and alcohol preservatives found in chemical brands tend to aggravate and dehydrate complexions.

Shop smarter with Colorescience non-toxic sunscreen, always guaranteed to be free of PABA, parabens, and animal cruelty. When you read Colorescience product formulas, you will never find any red flags—only the purest, high-quality ingredients. Our non-toxic sunscreen allows you to safely preserve skin vitality while protecting your health and environment, too.

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DOES ZINC OXIDE LEAVE A WHITE FILM RESIDUE ON THE SKIN?

Zinc sunscreen sometimes appears thick and chalky—but not at Colorescience. We’ve created an all-mineral formula with much smaller zinc oxide particles, resulting in a protective cover that provides an essential amount of SPF and environmental protection. We added a natural tint to our product so that harmoniously blends in with your skin tone and minimizes imperfections.

You can find zinc oxide sunscreen added to products across our entire skincare line, from treatments to makeup enhancers, so browse the collection to naturally bring out your best, most beautiful complexion!

*Sunblock is not a term approved by the FDA. Colorescience refers to our products as sun protection.

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