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Zea Mays Starch

What Zea Mays Starch is & what it does

A natural starch powder that absorbs oil and gives a soft, dry, matte finish. It is a gentle, plant-based alternative to talc.

What is Zea Mays Starch and what does it do in sunscreen?

Zea Mays Starch is simply corn starch, used in a sunscreen as a mattifier. It absorbs excess oil and adds a soft, dry, powdery finish, which helps reduce shine and white cast. It is a gentle, plant-based alternative to talc.

Is Zea Mays Starch safe?

Yes. It is corn starch, a familiar plant-derived powder that is well tolerated on skin. Used at cosmetic levels it sits on the surface to absorb oil and is not associated with irritation for most people.

Does Zea Mays Starch clog pores?

Generally no. It is a fine, oil-absorbing powder rather than an oil or wax, so it is considered low risk for clogging pores. In practice it does the opposite of feeling greasy, by mopping up surface oil for a matte finish.

What is Zea Mays Starch on an ingredient list (INCI)?

Zea Mays Starch is the INCI name for corn starch, where Zea mays is the botanical name for corn. It usually appears lower on the list as a texture and finish ingredient. You may also see it described simply as corn starch.

Is Zea Mays Starch natural or vegan?

Yes. It is a plant-derived starch extracted from corn, so it is both natural in origin and vegan. It is often chosen as a gentler, plant-based stand-in for talc.

Sunscreens with Zea Mays Starch

We rate 116 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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