Think of mineral SPF like that overprotective friend who blocks out negativity and UV rays. Made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, it sits on top of your skin like a literal shield, deflecting the sun’s attempts to age you prematurely.

MARCH 5, 2025

Picture this: You’re standing in the skincare aisle, staring at an army of sunscreens. Your inner monologue is in full debate mode—"Do I go mineral? Do I go chemical? Will my skin thank me, or will I end up looking like a ghost?" ...Let’s be honest—some of you might not even know there are different types of sunscreens, let alone why it even matters. No shame bestie, I’m here to help.

In One Corner: Mineral Sunscreen (a.k.a. The Bodyguard)

✨ Pros:
✔️ Protects instantly (no 15-minute waiting game)
✔️ Less likely to irritate sensitive skin
✔️ Blocks UVA & UVB like a pro

😬 Cons:
Traditional over-the-counter mineral SPFs have earned a bad rep for…
⚠️ Leaving a white cast (Casper, is that you?)
⚠️ Thicker texture = more blending effort
⚠️ Sometimes feeling heavier on the skin

But don’t worry—at In the Nude Skincare, we only use and recommend the best mineral SPF- Colorescience. Thanks to patented technology and high-quality formulas, these sunscreens blend like a dream, feel lightweight, and leave zero white cast. Because protecting your skin shouldn’t mean looking like a powdered donut. 😉

And if that wasn’t cool enough, they’ve also creatively formulated multiple types of mineral sunscreens that double as makeup—offering a safer, skin-loving alternative without compromising on aesthetics.

Watch the video below for a quick demonstration using only mineral SPF!

Mineral Sunscreens Featured: All Calm Clinical Corrector / Flex Face Shield SPF (shade medium) / Total Eye 3-in-1 (shade medium) / Color Balm SPF (shade bronze) / Lip Shine SPF (shade savanna)

In the Other Corner: Chemical Sunscreen (a.k.a. The Secret Agent)

Unlike its mineral counterpart, chemical SPF absorbs into the skin, turning UV rays into heat and then releasing them. 

✨ Pros:
✔️ Cheaper to formulate 
✔️ Easy to find in most stores

😬 Cons:
⚠️ Needs 15-20 minutes to activate
⚠️ Some formulas can irritate sensitive skin or burn the eyes
⚠️ Can trigger inflammation, potentially worsening skin conditions like acne and melasma
⚠️ Contains ingredients banned in certain travel destinations for being harmful to marine life

At the end of the day, the best sunscreen is the one you’ll actually wear. So slather it on, reapply like your skin depends on it (because it does), and let’s all collectively avoid looking like a leather handbag in 20 years. Don’t forget reapplying your SPF is equally as important, make sure to reapply every 2 hours. Yes, even if you are indoors all day. Check out this handy dandy brush-on, you can reapply on the go, over makeup or bare skin.

If you are local to the San Diego area, book a ‘Colorescience Try-On/Shade Finder’ appointment here and we’ll be happy to help you find your perfect sunscreen match!