The sun doesn't discriminate towards age, so is very important you're wearing your sunscreen every day. While certain sunscreen formulas work better for certain skin types and age ranges, mature skin can benefit from key ingredients to promote anti-aging results.
With so many SPF formulas in the market, choosing the right one for your mature skin can be tricky. According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Doris Day, you should use sunscreen with a high SPF content (like SPF 50 or higher) that contains antioxidants, vitamin C or vitamin E to give you that added protection.
"A trick I have is to put your sunscreen before you get dressed, and start from your décolletage and work your way up, all over your face and around the hairline. Plus, you want to double layer," says Day.
There's no way to overdo sunscreen when your goal is to protect your most important layer: your skin. Whether you choose a mineral or chemical sunscreen, dermatologists always recommend reapplying it.
So, we asked three experts to share their top picks, ingredients and how to apply this important product efficiently.
Best mineral sunscreen$undefined$40.00
What is considered "mature skin"?
You'll typically start developing mature skin once you've crossed the phase of perimenopause, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Doris Day.
"But, mature doesn't mean you're old, it just means grown up. The reality is, once you hit menopause you're losing estrogen for collagen production, so we need to be protected and use sunscreen as the best defense because the sun breaks collagen down," emphasizes Day.
What type of sunscreen is best for mature skin?
According to board-certified nurse practitioner Racquel Frisella, the best sunscreen is the one that has broad-spectrum protection.
"I recommend that my patients choose broad-spectrum protection that protects from both UVA and UVB rays. I also recommend moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides. These nourishing ingredients help keep mature skin hydrated," she adds.
You also want to be sun-smart and get out during the early hours of the day or later hours in the afternoon. "You want to control the time of sun exposure. It's being smart about the time of exposure and protecting your body from excess damage," shares Day.
Best sunscreens for mature skin, recommended by experts
Protection on a budget: CeraVe 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
- Budget-friendly
- Great for travel
- Not sheer enough
Size: 2.5 oz. | Type: Mineral | Key ingredients: Ceramide | SPF: 30
Niv recommends this sunscreen because its hydrating formula is "safe for all skin types" and "also contains niacinamide to reduce water loss and increase moisture in the skin’s uppermost layer."
CeraVe's formula also is safer for most sensitive skins since the product is made without fragrance.
Scentless greatness: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen
- Works well under makeup
- Not greasy
- Colorless
- Faint chemical smell
Size: 1.7 oz. | Type: Mineral | Key ingredients: 17.68% zinc oxide | SPF: 40
Another recommendation by Niv is this clear sunscreen by Supergoop! for its invisible-like formulation and its water-resistant quality. "This is a sheet scentless mineral sunscreen with clean ingredients safe for all skin types including sensitive skin," says Niv. Also, it works well under makeup since the formula is light and weightless.
Protective layer: Isdin Eryftona Actinica Ultralight Mineral Sunscreen
- Melts into your skin
- Sits well under makeup
- Can leave a white residue
Size: 3.4 oz. | Type: Chemical | Key ingredients: Vitamin E, 11% zinc oxide | SPF: 50+
Day recommends this sunscreen because it has a high SPF content and an SPF 50 value. This all-mineral formula is designed to repair sun damage, and according to shoppers, the formula blends perfectly without a white cast. Some also say the consistency melts on the skin and offers a great moisture.
Best sunscreens for mature skin, according to editors
Spray through: Vacation Super Spritz SPF 50
- Easy to use
- Smells great
- Lightweight texture
- Can irritate eyes
Size: 2.2 oz. | Type: Chemical | Key ingredients: Shea, green tea, vitamin E and more | SPF: 50
If you're looking for a sunscreen spray easy to apply, this is an editor-approved choice to keep your habits consistent. “It’s hard to pick a favorite from Vacation, all of their products are fantastic but I keep this one at my desk for daily reapplication. It has a lovely scent and feels weightless when I reapply multiple times a day. I also haven’t had many issues with it getting in my eyes which is rare with face mists for me. I especially love how much use I get out of it and would 100%. recommend it to anybody,” says editor Vivien Moon.
All cool: Coola Organic Face Sunscreen SPF 50
- Lightweight
- Nice scent
- Moisturizing
- Has a dry finish
Size: 1.7 oz. | Type: Chemical | Key ingredients: Antioxidant-rich plant | SPF: 50
"I think the best sunscreen is one you're actually going to apply and reapply; this is one of them. I have gone through this bottle and would gladly repurchase it. It's lightweight and has a tropical scent that I love that makes applying this one an easy experience," shares Moon.
She also notes the formula doesn't feel oily, and is vegan and fragrance-free.
For the daily: Sol Labs Natural Mineral SPF 30
- Feels hydrating
- Goes on well
- Editor has no negatives
Size: 4.06 oz. | Type: Mineral | Key ingredients: Aloe vera extract, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide | SPF: 30
Moon says, "I am personally obsessed with this brand/product because of how perfect it is for everyday wear. It's lightweight, goes on like a moisturizer and is easy to wear under makeup. It doesn't feel too dry or too dewy when it dries, which is why I've tried to get my mom and dad to wear it."
According to Moon, the formula is easy to reapply without feeling greasy and has a lovely scent which makes it a "pleasant experience."
Seamless blend: Naked Sundays Collagen Glow 100% Mineral Perfecting Priming Lotion
- Melts into your skin
- Blends well
Size: 2.7 oz. | Type: Mineral | Key ingredients: Vegan collagen, watermelon extract and iron oxides | SPF: 50
Moon also loves this brand and says, "I’ve had experience with this product before but I had some concerns with it that the brand clearly has worked on because this current version is a lot better and goes on smoothly, is easy to apply and has a tint that blends out beautifully. The tint stays but as a makeup primer, I love how lightweight it is and how well it layers with makeup."
Plus, the formula has added collagen to protect the skin more effectively.
Spots covered: EltaMD UV Skin Recovery Red Color Correcting Green Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 50
- Blends well
- Moisturizing
- Takes time to absorb into skin
Size: 1.7 oz. | Type: Mineral | Key ingredients: 2% AA Complex Barrier Repair Technology | SPF: 50
EltaMD has been one of my [Espinal] go-to brands of late because of its effective results. Every time I rub this on my face, the texture feels creamy yet smooth. I was a bit hesitant about the green color but since using it, I've noticed fewer dark spots. It leaves a glowy texture after blending it in. Plus, it doesn't feel heavy at all; even if you add a lot of sunscreen, the texture blends easily without leaving a green residue.
Escape the UV rays: Dr. Brandt Bright This Way Liquid Sun Shield
- Smooth texture
- Glowy finish
- Takes time to absorb
Size: 1.7 oz. | Type: Mineral | Key ingredients: Vitamin E | SPF: 50
I’ve [Espinal] been using this sunscreen for the past three months and it has been one of my favorites due to the lightweight texture and SPF value. I love how it leaves a glowy finish and smooth texture on my skin. Since it takes a while to absorb into my skin, I try to wear it only during makeup-free days. It’s formulated with vitamin E, non-nano zinc oxide and and plankton extract to reduce skin age spots, and while I don’t have much hyperpigmentation yet, I can tell a difference on my skin texture after I use this product.
Frequently asked questions
Frisella recommends a non-comedogenic formula because this prevents breakouts. "I also recommend a formulation free of fragrance and harsh chemicals, making it less irritating. Also, a clean, mineral formulation with zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide."
"Zinc oxide and titanium-oxide are designed to physically block the skin from absorbing UV light," says Niv.
Day recommends reapplying often or every two hours, especially if you’re planning to work out outdoors.
"I recommend applying sunscreen every morning as the last step in your skincare routine and then reapply every two hours while in the sun. This holds true to all 365 days out of the year during rain, wind, sunshine or snow! Many people do not realize it, but even the sun that comes through the car window while driving can cause aging of the skin," says Frisella.
For best results, Day suggests applying a quantity of three fingers full of sunscreen.
According to Niv, anything above SPF 30 is safe. However, Day is strict on her choice of sunscreen and prefers a value of SPF 50 or higher for added protection.
"Mineral sunscreen is best for mature skin, however, any sunscreen is better than no sunscreen. If all you have with you is chemical sunscreen I would still reach for it," says Niv.
Day also adds, "When the mineral is micronized (reduced to a small size), it doesn't leave that white cast."
No! "Unfortunately, most makeup with built-in SPF has a very low value (usually SPF 5 to15) and does a poor job protecting your skin with the minimum you apply. It’s best to not rely on makeup SPF and always apply a layer of sunblock before getting ready," says Niv.
Even if you apply a double layer of built-in SPF, it's still not enough to protect your skin from UV rays.
How we chose
While choosing sunscreens, we choose products directly recommended by four board-certified dermatologists. We also included other effective, editor-recommended sunscreens that contained a high SPF content as advised by the experts.
Meet the experts
- Racquel Frisella is a board-certified nurse practitioner and aesthetic specialist.
- Dr. Doris Day is a board-certified dermatologist and a clinical associate professor of dermatology at the new york University Langone Medical Center.
- Dr. Dorene Niv is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Dorene Dermatology.
