Vogue's Guide to the Different Types of Sunscreen You Need This Summer

Vogue

26-05-2025

Ask any dermatologist what the best sunscreen is and they'll most likely tell you this: the best sunscreen is the one you'll actually use everyday.
But how does one choose that perfect sunscreen that will make you remember this very important step in your routine? To figure that out, you'll have to understand what all of your options are. Below, the experts break down every type of sunscreen to help you make wise skin health (and shopping) decisions.
Types of Sunscreen
There are two types of sunscreens you can choose from: mineral sunscreens and chemical sunscreens. The difference between the two can be broken down as follows:
Mineral Sunscreens
Mineral sunscreens, also known as physical sunscreens, block the sun's harmful UV rays from penetrating the skin. As Marisa Garshick, MD, board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, explains it, mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to scatter and reflect the UV rays when it bounces off the skin to protect it from damage.
There are many pros of mineral sunscreen, but they are most known to be less irritating and great for sensitive skin. Though they may leave behind a white cast, Dr. Garshick says that newer formulations have been developed to minimize that. Options like the U Beauty's Multimodal Sheer Mineral Sunscreen or Shiseido's Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion Mineral SPF 60+ provide nourishing skincare benefits while also blending quite nicely into the skin.
Chemical Sunscreens
According to Hadley King, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, chemical sunscreens absorb the sun's UV rays and create a chemical reaction to turn the UV rays into heat that will be released from the skin. They're usually made of chemical ingredients such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, and homosalate, and Dr. Garshick says these formulations are generally easier to rub in and won't leave a white cast.
But because they are made of various chemical filters, she does warn that some people may experience some irritation or sensitivity to these types of formulas. But a lot of formulations are made with sensitive skin in mind, such as the EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 or the Medik8 Advanced Day Ultimate Protect SPF 50+. If you happen to like the feel of these chemical sunscreens more, you can easily opt for these gentle options over a mineral one.
Lotions, Sprays, Sticks, and More
Sunscreens also come in many forms. You can find a mineral and chemical sunscreen in a lotion, stick (the E.l.f. Cosmetics Suntouchable Invisi-Stick SPF 50 makes reapplying so easy while on the go), spray, and even serum format (cult-classic Australian sunscreen brand Ultra Violette is finally available in the U.S. and the Future Screen SPF 50 Facial Sunscreen Serum is a current fave among many). Mineral sunscreens also come in powder form like the classic Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield SPF 50. When it comes to choosing between these types of sunscreen, Dr. King says that you should pick the one most appropriate for your lifestyle.
What does SPF mean?
We're always told to look for sunscreen with SPF, but what does that actually mean? SPF stands for sun protection factor and as Dr. King explains it, it measures how much a sunscreen will shield your skin from ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, which can cause sunburn.