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

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, California, 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

If you want a tinted powder sunscreen that can help conceal blemishes and pimples, we recommend this compact cream to powder formula that you can use all over the face or concentrated in certain areas. It has a blend of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to protect the skin from UVA and UVB rays, and it helps absorb excess oil and shine.

“Overall, this compact is a great find if you’re looking for something lightweight and breathable. First off, this product is not high coverage—so don’t expect it to conceal major blemishes or discoloration. It’s more of a skin tint than a true foundation, offering a very natural, “your skin but better” finish. Perfect for no-makeup days or for evening out your tone without that heavy, cakey feel. What I absolutely love is the SPF protection it provides. It’s rare to find sun protection this effective in such a wearable formula. Even better, it doesn’t leave any white cast, which is a huge plus—especially if you’re using it daily or on the go. If you’re someone who prioritizes sun protection and prefers a natural look, this is a great product to add to your routine,” says Glamour senior analyst Loneeja Talukdar.

SPF: 50 / Active ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide

• What we love: Covers up acne; lightweight finish
• What could improve: Only comes in a few shades

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.

“This mineral SPF powder is very finely milled and immediately blended right into my hairline,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary. “I didn’t feel the need to reapply until hours later, and I found that it generally kept me grease- and shine-free on the upper part of my forehead at the beginning of my scalp. I’d highly recommend this to anyone who wants an easy reapplication of SPF for their skin care routine, especially if you’re going to be out in the sun for a few hours.”

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.

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

Though dermatologists generally recommend products with SPF 30 or higher, BareMinerals makes a popular setting powder that contains mineral-based SPF. Rosanne Paul, DO, an assistant professor of dermatology at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, 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

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 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

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 powders 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.