Venture Mineral Sunscreen Review: Tested for Running, Hiking, Beach Days and More

Finding a mineral sunscreen that actually feels good during long days outside can be harder than it sounds. We want strong sun protection, but we also want something that rubs in easily, does not feel greasy or sticky, and holds up when we sweat.
To see how Venture Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen performed in the real world, Beth and Conni put it to the test across a wide range of outdoor activities, including running, hiking, walking, beach trips, paddleboarding, ranch work, and everyday time outside.

Both came away impressed by how wearable it felt for a mineral sunscreen, especially during active days.

How Venture Mineral SPF 50 Feels on the Skin

Beth is admittedly picky about sunscreen.

“I want something that feels good on my skin, doesn’t have a strong or weird smell, isn’t greasy or sticky, and doesn’t take forever to rub in.”

She found Venture Mineral SPF 50 much easier to apply than many of the mineral sunscreens she has used in the past.

Since it is a mineral sunscreen, Beth noted that you do need to spend a little time rubbing and smoothing it into the skin. But she said it blended much more quickly and easily than other mineral formulas she has tried.

“It rubs in like a thick cream, but it wasn’t difficult to do. It doesn’t leave heavy white or chalky traces, and once it’s rubbed in, my skin doesn’t feel sticky or greasy.”

She also appreciated that her hands did not feel gross after applying it.

Conni had a similar experience, saying that the sunscreen went on “smoothly and easily without feeling sticky or greasy.”

“It honestly felt like regular lotion,” she said.

For a mineral sunscreen, Conni was also happy with how little white cast she noticed. If she applied too much, she saw a slight color change, but said it was never particularly noticeable.

Testing It During Runs and Sweaty Workouts

Both Beth and Conni tested Venture Mineral SPF 50 while running, giving us a chance to see how it performed when sweat entered the picture.

Beth wore it during a 17 mile run and felt like she was getting solid coverage without the sunscreen feeling heavy.

She did notice a little crystallization on her legs afterward, but pointed out that this happens with every sunscreen she uses when she is sweating heavily during a long training run.

Conni also had good results during activity.

“I haven’t had issues with it caking or getting weird as I sweat, and it holds up really well during activity.”

She lives at 9,000 feet in the Colorado Rockies, where sun protection is something she takes seriously, and has worn the sunscreen for running, hiking, and other outdoor adventures without coming back with a burn.

Hiking, Walking and Everyday Outdoor Use

This is not a sunscreen that was tested only during workouts.

Beth used Venture Mineral SPF 50 for walking, hiking, beach trips, and running. She liked being able to get SPF 50 protection without feeling as though she had a thick layer of sunscreen sitting on her skin.

Conni has used it for hiking and everyday outdoor time as well, along with plenty of other situations where she is outside for hours at a time.

Her husband even started using it while working on a ranch.

“He manages a ranch and is outside all day, so he gets a LOT of sun exposure. It’s been a great option for him, too.”

That kind of everyday use matters because a sunscreen can have great features on paper, but it still needs to be comfortable enough that you actually want to apply it regularly.

How It Performs Around Water

Both testers also used Venture Mineral SPF 50 around water.

Beth used it during trips to the beach, while Conni tested it while SUPing and spending long days on the water.

“We’ve used it SUPing, too, and it was great for those long days on the water when you’re getting sun from every direction,” Conni said.

Both also liked choosing a mineral sunscreen when spending time in and around the water.

Beth said she appreciates being able to choose a formula that avoids some of the chemical UV filters that have raised concerns about their impact on coral reefs and marine life.

Conni feels similarly.

“I also really like that it’s mineral and reef safe. Even though I don’t live anywhere near the ocean, we spend plenty of time around lakes and rivers, and I like knowing I can use it before getting in the water without worrying as much about what I’m introducing into those environments.”

A Mineral Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin

Both Beth and Conni have somewhat sensitive skin, making irritation another important part of their testing.

Neither experienced problems.

Beth said Venture Mineral SPF 50 did not irritate her skin or cause any bad reactions. She also liked that the formula contains moisturizing ingredients including aloe vera, shea butter, mango butter, avocado oil, and coconut oil, along with botanical ingredients such as cucumber, pomegranate, green tea, carrot, and blueberry.

Conni had a similar experience.

“This didn’t bother my skin at all. No irritation, weird reactions, or breakouts.”

Fragrance Free Without the Typical Sunscreen Smell

One feature Beth especially appreciated was the lack of fragrance.

“No typical sunscreen ‘coconut smell,’ no baby powder smell, no strong sunscreen smell of any kind. You basically don’t smell like anything.”

Conni also specifically called out the fact that it is fragrance free and does not feel greasy.

For anyone who dislikes that lingering sunscreen smell, this was a definite positive for both testers.

What About Using It on Your Face?

Venture Mineral SPF 50 can be used on the face, but neither Beth nor Conni regularly chose to use it that way.

That was not because they had a negative reaction to it. Both simply already have face sunscreens they prefer.

Beth typically uses a tinted facial sunscreen because she likes the feeling of wearing a little makeup even when she is not.

Conni also has a face specific sunscreen she already likes, so she keeps Venture Mineral SPF 50 primarily for her body.

Easy to Take Along

Beth also liked the 3.4 fl oz bottle size.

She found it easy to toss into a bag or keep in the car without it taking up much space, which makes it practical for hiking, beach trips, runs, and other outdoor adventures.

And apparently, the formula passed another surprisingly difficult test in Conni’s household.

“My super picky tween daughter actually used it and approved it! If it gets her approval, that’s a serious win in my book.”

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