9 Best Powder Sunscreens for Reapplication, Recommended by Dermatologists
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The best powder sunscreens have a special draw that other lotions, sprays, and even sticks don’t: They don’t require any rubbing (read “no greasy hands”). In most cases, you simply use the attached brush to dust the powder on, meaning they’re great for over makeup. They’re also exceptionally portable for convenient reapplication. Not to mention, since they’re made of finely milled minerals like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, powder SPFs can be used as scalp sunscreen or even setting powder without the excess weight that can leave hair limp and skin shiny.
There are fewer options on the market for powder sunscreens than for other types of SPF. But our editors and contributors have tried the majority of the most readily available—upwards of a dozen—evaluating things like ease of application, texture, finish, and longevity (does it actually stay in place long enough to offer sun protection?).
Ahead, a closer look at the best powder sunscreens—the ones that meet dermatologists’ standards (a broad-spectrum formula with SPF 30 or higher) and feel great on.
The best powder sunscreens, at a glance
- Best Overall: Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Sunscreen (SPF 50), $59
- Best Mineral Powder Sunscreen: Jane Iredale Powder-Me Dry Sunscreen (SPF 30), $44
- Best Setting Powder: BareMinerals Original Mineral Veil Set + Protect Talc-Free Setting Powder Mineral (SPF 25 PA++), $36
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Brush On Block Mineral Powder Sunscreen (SPF 30), $34
- Best With SPF 50: ISDIN Mineral Brush Powder (SPF 50), $45
Does powder sunscreen actually work?
Powder sunscreens contain active ingredients, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, that offer broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays. But keep in mind that since these formulas are powdered, there’s the potential to miss some areas during application and they need to be applied copiously, says Rosanne Paul, DO, an assistant professor of dermatology at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. However, Dr. Paul says you can face the same problem with other formulations, particularly spray sunscreen.
No matter what kind of SPF you gravitate to, make sure it’s a broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. And to prevent sunburn, be sure to reapply every two hours—sooner if you’re swimming, exercising, or perspiring heavily.
Best Overall: Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Sunscreen (SPF 50)
- Original image by Jenifer Calle testing Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Sunscreen (SPF 50)
- Original photo from Jenifer Calle testing Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Sunscreen (SPF 50)
- Courtesy of brand
Dermatologists and editors alike seem to overwhelmingly be drawn to this brand’s powder sunscreen, because it’s lightweight and easy to use, says Melanie Palm, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon at Art of Skin MD in the San Diego area. Use it on your scalp—or the rest of your body—just as you would any other mineral sunscreen, she suggests. It’s a great sunscreen for oily skin, too, because it can help tame excess oil—almost as a dry shampoo powder does for hair.
“I have oily skin, and my T-zone is usually so shiny by midday. This powder sunscreen is great for mattifying that area. I keep it in my work bag, and it comes in handy when I don't want to mess up my makeup or slather on cream. Since it’s tinted, I don’t have to worry about a white cast on my skin tone. I also like that it’s easy to fold back up without the bristles bunching up, thanks to the sleeve that comes up and down,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle. “You do have to tap quite a few times to get enough on the brush, but I like that I can use this almost like a setting powder. It protects my skin and removes shine all at once.”
SPF: 50 / Active ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide
- What we love: High SPF; comes in a variety of shades; clever packaging helps keep bristles in good shape
- What could improve: Dispenses slowly
Best Tinted Powder Sunscreen: IS Clinical PerfecTint Powder (SPF 40)
- Original photo from Brigitt Earley testing iS Clinical PerfecTint Powder SPF 40
- Courtesy of brand
Pricey? You betcha, especially considering its size. But this mineral sunscreen powder does have a lot to offer. For starters, it has a higher SPF than most—40 rather than 30 or 35. It also boasts an ingredient list packed with good-for-skin ingredients. Zinc oxide blocks UVA and UVB rays, glycerin helps rejuvenate the skin barrier, Lycopodium clavatum works to keep skin hydrated, Imperata cylindrica root extract brightens, and hydroxyapatite combats wrinkles and photoaging.
“I love how fine and light the powder is, plus the fact that there are four shades to choose from,” says Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley. “But on the downside, the packaging could be better. My brush is constantly getting tripped up in the cap.”
SPF: 40 / Active ingredients: Zinc oxide
- What we love: Fine and lightweight; contains tons of skin-nourishing ingredients; comes in four shades
- What could improve: Brush is easily damaged in the packaging
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Best Powder Sunscreen for Dry Skin: Supergoop (Re)setting 100% Mineral Powder Foundation (SPF 35)
- Original photo from Brigitt Earley testing Supergoop! (Re)setting 100% Mineral Powder Foundation (SPF 35)
- Courtesy of brand
If you avoid traditional face sunscreen because of the greasy residue and pilling caused by some formulas, Allure shopping director Shanna Shipin recommends giving this product a whirl. The cruelty-free powder comes in three shades—light, medium, and deep—as well as one translucent option that Shipin calls “supremely versatile.” None of the four leaves a white cast, and they’re all dry-skin-friendly, thanks to the addition of ceramides and olive glycerides that lock in moisture.
“There are so many ways to use this mineral powder: on your bare skin; over or under a full face of makeup; along your hairline, ears, and even your scalp. But I think it’s best for reapplication and touch-ups throughout the day,” says Shipin. It takes mere seconds to reapply, but even more importantly, you won’t need to find a mirror, get your hands dirty, or worry about ruining your makeup. “You won’t catch me, or any of my bags, without it,” says Shipin.
SPF: 35 / Active ingredients: Zinc oxide
- What we love: Comes in a variety of shades; noncomedogenic; suitable for dry skin
- What could improve: Can be hard to put the cap back on without squishing the brush
Best Powder Sunscreen for Matte Finish: Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Powder Sunscreen Brush (SPF 30)
- Original photo from Brigitt Earley testing Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Powder Sunscreen Brush (SPF 30)
- Courtesy of brand
This brush-on formula, available at your local drugstore, is a great dupe for more luxe brands that come at a much steeper price tag. It’s just as versatile, too—use it on your scalp, face, or any other part of your body where you want sun protection with a matte finish. It’s tiny enough to slip in your purse or keep in the car’s glove compartment for on-the-go application.
“It has the same nostalgic smell as the brand’s other products,” says Earley, who is drawn to this product for its silky finish. “I’m very sensitive to that chalky feeling some powdered products can leave behind. This one doesn’t give me that ick factor, because what it leaves behind is actually quite smooth, albeit matte enough to serve as a setting powder on a hot summer day.”
SPF: 30 / Active ingredients: Zinc oxide
- What we love: Budget-friendly; great scent; doesn’t feel chalky
- What could improve: Only one shade available
Best Setting Powder SPF: BareMinerals Original Mineral Veil Set + Protect Setting Powder (Mineral SPF 25 PA++)
- Original photo from Brigitt Earley testing BareMinerals Original Mineral Veil Set + Protect Talc-Free Setting Powder Mineral SPF 25 PA++
- Courtesy of brand
Though dermatologists generally recommend products with SPF 30 or higher, BareMinerals makes a popular setting powder that contains mineral-based SPF. Dr. Paul doesn’t recommend relying on it on its own, but if you’re already wearing sunscreen under your makeup, she says this can still be a great option for easy reapplication.
“The retractable brush was one of the most convenient I tried,” says Earley. “It doesn't get all bent out of shape while opening and closing the product.” But even more importantly, our testers said the loose mineral powder delivered a smooth, natural finish that felt almost invincible. It’s all thanks to the silica in the formula, which expertly mattifies and blurs pores and fine lines.
SPF: 25 / Active ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide
- What we love: Vegan; made of recyclable plastic; blurs pores and fine lines
- What could improve: Low SPF
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Best Powder Sunscreen With SPF 50: ISDIN Isdinceutics Mineral Brush Facial Powder (SPF 50)
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Brigitt Earley testing ISDIN Mineral Brush Powder
ISDIN’s powder sunscreen is another favorite of Dr. Palm’s, both for convenience and for sun protection, thanks to a higher SPF 40. It’s suitable for those with any skin sensitivities, too, since it’s a mineral-based formula that’s free from fragrances, parabens, and talc, she says. The brand says it also protects against free radical pollution damage, blue light, and infrared radiation.
Our testers told us the fine powder wasn’t quite as chalky as some others in the mix—especially great for those with dry skin. “It layers so well over makeup, so I like to use it as setting powder,” says Earley. “The finish is silky and luminous.”
SPF: 50 / Active ingredients: Zinc oxide
- What we love: High SPF; suitable for sensitive skin; protects against UV rays and environmental aggressors
- What could improve: Only comes in one shade
Best for Sensitive Skin: Brush On Block Mineral Powder Sunscreen (SPF 30)
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Brigitt Earley testing Brush On Block Mineral Powder Sunscreen (SPF 30)
- Original photo from Brigitt Earley testing Brush On Block Mineral Powder Sunscreen (SPF 30)
Keira Barr, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Gig Harbor, Washington, recommends Brush On Block, since it’s a mineral powder powered by zinc oxide and offers SPF 30 protection. It’s easy to apply directly to the scalp (or other areas of the skin) with the applicator brush and can even work overtime as a dry shampoo or a setting powder for makeup, she says. Powders can also help protect other areas you might not think to cover, like your eyelids and the backs of your hands, Dr. Barr adds.
Don’t just take dermatologists’ word for it, though. Earley likes that this powder doesn’t further parch her already dry skin. “The ingredient list includes skin soothers like niacinamide, hydrators like hyaluronic acid, and brighteners like vitamin C,” says Earley. “I also like that you can buy refill cartridges for the brush, so you don’t have to spring for an entirely new product each time.”
SPF: 30 / Active ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide
- What we love: Refillable; easy to apply; water-resistant for 80 minutes
- What could improve: Some users say it can be hard to get enough product out at once.
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Derma-E Essentials Sun Protection Mineral Powder (SPF 30)
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Brigitt Earley testing Derma-E Sun Protection Mineral Powder SPF 30
You’ll get sun protection from this vegan formula’s non-nano zinc oxide—larger zinc particles that won’t penetrate the skin, offering true physical protection that’s great for people with acne-prone skin. This is one of the more antioxidant-rich powders we tried, too. It contains vitamin E for hydration and texture, green tea to help protect against environmental stressors, and chamomile flower extract to calm and soothe, especially during sun exposure.
“This was one of the easier products to dispense,” says Earley. “The powder comes out readily for great coverage in just a pass or two.” The result is a matte finish that will help tame any excess shine and preserve any makeup look. It only comes in one shade, though. “It feels great on my skin but does leave me looking a touch paler than I did pre-application,” she says.
SPF: 30 / Active ingredients: Zinc oxide
- What we love: Contains plenty of good-for-skin ingredients; dispenses amply and evenly; vegan formula
- What could improve: Only one shade that may leave a touch of a white cast, depending on skin tone
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Best Mineral Powder Sunscreen: Jane Iredale Powder-Me Dry Sunscreen (SPF 30)
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Brigitt Earley testing Jane Iredale Powder-Me Dry Sunscreen (SPF 30)
If you want your SPF to double as a skin care product, Dr. Paul says this powder will help get the job done. “Iron oxides and titanium oxide are ingredients here, making this a great product for prevention of hyperpigmentation,” she tells Glamour. It’s also water-resistant for up to 40 minutes—a feature not many other powder sunscreens have.
Our editors like the soft brush, plus the refillable design of the product. “The price is higher than some other SPF powder I’ve tried, but this one also feels like more of a luxury product,” says Earley. “You can also take the brush head off for cleaning—a unique feature that’s key for everyone but especially oily or acne-prone skin types.”
SPF: 30 / Active ingredients: Titanium dioxide
- What we love: Refillable design; brush head comes off for cleaning; water-resistant for 40 minutes; comes in four shades
- What could improve: Some users say it leaves a slight white cast, depending on skin tone.
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