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Good Molecules

Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30.

Good Molecules Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
Sunscreen

About this product

A mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide offering SPF 30 broad-spectrum protection, formulated with antioxidants, vitamin C derivative, and hydrating ingredients.

Full ingredients

Guru Score

75%

Yay

8 experts · Strong agreement
8Gurus
3Yay
4Mixed
1Nay
#24 in SunscreenSee the ranking →

What they liked

  • Invisible finish without white cast
  • Hydrating and plumping
  • Affordable price

What they flagged

  • Not water resistant
  • Can pill under makeup
  • Needs vigorous blending to apply evenly

What the gurus are saying

This mineral sunscreen earns consistent praise for delivering an invisible, non-white finish that most mineral formulas struggle with, along with hydrating and plumping properties that work beautifully on their own or under makeup. The trade-off is that it is not water-resistant, so it works well for daily errands and indoor wear but may not hold up during swimming, sports, or heavy sweating. Those who do use it for everyday protection find it blends seamlessly into skin and feels lightweight despite its mineral base, though applying it requires a bit more vigorous rubbing than chemical sunscreens to ensure full coverage.
Synthesized from 8 expert reviews · most recent take December 2024

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored
Mixed
"This is the Good Molecules Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30, and here's why I pick it. It's twelve dollars, and I don't find most Western sunscreens to be great even at much higher price points, so I'd rather have an affordable one. It's mineral, only SPF 30, this isn't what I wear to the beach, and it's not my favorite under makeup, I get moderate pilling in some places with it. But it's fine, and this is a case where fine becomes the best I can get in a pinch, especially picking it up at Ulta with a coupon."
Nay
"It's an all mineral sunscreen and it has fairly significant white cast. It would be pretty tough to get a couple layers of this even with some dry down time. What I've noticed about the sunscreen is it separates so you have to shake it before every time you use it, which I find is kind of a pain. So personally I find this sunscreen really challenging to get enough coverage without the white cast and it also tends to separate, so it's a little bit more troubled than it's worth in my opinion."
All 2 takes from Beyond50Skin
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"It's an all mineral sunscreen and it has fairly significant white cast. It would be pretty tough to get a couple layers of this even with some dry down time. What I've noticed about the sunscreen is it separates so you have to shake it before every time you use it, which I find is kind of a pain. So personally I find this sunscreen really challenging to get enough coverage without the white cast and it also tends to separate, so it's a little bit more troubled than it's worth in my opinion."
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"All of these have gotten really decent reviews"
Mixed
"Good Molecules has a newer, new to me at least, Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30. It's zinc oxide, probably going to leave a white cast, but it has ethyl ferulate which is an antioxidant."
Mixed
"It's their Sheer Mineral SPF 30 sunscreen and it's $12. I find it has a little bit of white cast. If you use it under foundation it's fine, but it's a little bit high maintenance for me, especially for it just being SPF 30. Although I will say the reviews of this one, a lot of people love it, so nothing wrong with that. If it works for you, go for it."
Yay
"I would recommend and award the best mineral sunscreen of 2024 is this Good Molecules Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30. The reason I love this is it has a real invisible finish. A lot of mineral sunscreens look quite white and cakey on the skin, not a look we're going for, this doesn't. It has some extra hydration because mineral sunscreens can be a little drying. [...] This is nice and hydrating and it comes at an affordable price point. [...] Finding a good broad spectrum mineral sunscreen SPF of 30 is absolutely fine and this I think is a great option that balances the finish alongside the level of protection. [...] You do tend to have to work mineral sunscreens in a little bit more vigorously than you would chemical ones to make sure they go straight in. This one does feel heavier than chemical sunscreens but that's to be expected because of the mineral composition. But it is truly invisible and [...] it's nice and hydrating."
Top Pick: mineral sunscreen with invisible finish
Yay
"One of my favorite sunscreen formulations, this one is very moisturizing, it's lightweight, it's not greasy, perfect for all skin types. It works great on its own but also underneath makeup. It's 100 mineral with zinc oxide of 13.3 percent. This formula contains aloe and it also has a vitamin C derivative. I will say this is not water resistant, so if you plan on being in water, playing sports, or sweating a lot, you really want that water resistant formulation, and unfortunately this formula is not. But this one really is great for every day just to run errands and it's exceptional. On me personally I really don't see a white cast on my skin. I feel like this blends into the skin really well."
Top Pick: sunscreen formulation
All 2 takes from Sincerely Miss Ash
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"I really like this formula. It also has a vitamin C derivative and I also feel like this formula is quite plumping as well. I really love how my skin looks with this even on its own so it does give that natural finish but you will have a little bit of that glowing complexion as well, which I think is beautiful. It's very affordable, I believe this is like twelve dollars. You really can't go wrong with this one."
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"One of my favorite sunscreen formulations, this one is very moisturizing, it's lightweight, it's not greasy, perfect for all skin types. It works great on its own but also underneath makeup. It's 100 mineral with zinc oxide of 13.3 percent. This formula contains aloe and it also has a vitamin C derivative. I will say this is not water resistant, so if you plan on being in water, playing sports, or sweating a lot, you really want that water resistant formulation, and unfortunately this formula is not. But this one really is great for every day just to run errands and it's exceptional. On me personally I really don't see a white cast on my skin. I feel like this blends into the skin really well."
Yay
"This is one that I love. It's twelve dollars from Good Molecules. It's the Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30, and this is one of the only mineral sunscreens that is completely sheer on all skin tones. This is amazing. Even Good Molecules as a brand: number one, they keep their prices cheap; number two, they disclose all of their active ingredients to help people understand their skin; and number three, the images on their website and the way they show their products actually shows people with acne, with different skin tones, with textures, and that's what I want to see."
Top Pick: sheer mineral sunscreen
All 3 takes from Cassandra Bankson
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"This is one that I love. It's twelve dollars from Good Molecules. It's the Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30, and this is one of the only mineral sunscreens that is completely sheer on all skin tones. This is amazing. Even Good Molecules as a brand: number one, they keep their prices cheap; number two, they disclose all of their active ingredients to help people understand their skin; and number three, the images on their website and the way they show their products actually shows people with acne, with different skin tones, with textures, and that's what I want to see."
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"This is a mineral sunscreen SPF 30 that is completely mineral, fantastically cruelty-free and vegan and amazing on skin. Because it is mineral it does take a minute to soak in, but this works on all skin tones. Good Molecules is the brand that creates this, and even in their marketing you can see all of the imagery where they've literally tried this on every skin tone and they don't hide the person who has acne in their marketing, which I love. It retails slightly above $10 for $12, but you can get it on sale for $9, and even if you spend all $12 on it, it is worth every mother doll hair."
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"This is a mineral sunscreen that is much more sheer than others on the market. For twelve dollars, you get 1.7 fluid ounces, and it's hard to find a Sheer Mineral sunscreen at this price that looks and feels this good. It blends beautifully into the skin, and even two finger swipes apply so sheer it is amazing. It's not the most mattifying sunscreen because there is a little bit of grapeseed oil in this product that acts as a great antioxidant, but this has some different seed butters, it's very nourishing on skin and a little bit moisturizing. If you're looking for a dewy skin glow, you can use this alongside a moisturizer."
Mixed
"Good Molecules Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 is a white lotion sunscreen that feels like skin care, is non-greasy, spreads easily, and leaves a very minimal white cast with no smell. The finish is nice, mildly glowy but not shiny, and my face didn't feel greasy or oily. However, I did have some pilling on my eyelids and to the sides of my eyes, and it peels up a little bit in the eyebrows. Under makeup it wasn't wearing great after four hours, and after eight hours it was very worn off. It also started feeling drying after about six and a half hours. As a sunscreen that's wearable on its own, I give it a four out of five, though you would not have that pilling around the eyes."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Vitamin C

Topical vitamin C is an antioxidant with reasonable evidence for dullness and uneven tone. It breaks down in light and air, so how a product is formulated and packaged matters as much as the percentage on the front.

Source: DermNet

Sunscreen filters

Sun protection is the best evidenced way to slow visible ageing, and the filters are what does the work. Mineral and chemical filters both protect when a product is applied thickly enough and often enough, which is where most people fall short rather than on the choice of filter.

Source: DermNet

Humectants and emollients

Ingredients like these draw water into the surface layers and slow how fast it leaves. The evidence is for comfort, softness and hydration rather than for changing the structure of the skin.

Source: DermNet

Frequently asked.

What is Good Molecules Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30?

A mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide offering SPF 30 broad-spectrum protection, formulated with antioxidants, vitamin C derivative, and hydrating ingredients.

Is Good Molecules Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 worth it?

Mostly yes. 3 of the 8 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 75%.

What is Good Molecules Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30's Guru Score?

Good Molecules Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 holds a Guru Score of 75%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 8 expert reviewers we have collected. At least one expert has named it a Top Pick in its category.

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