Aclaris Photon Zio Sunscreen Gel SPF 50 Pa ++++
82/100 overall score
Sign in to see this product's score for your skin.
About this sunscreen
Aclaris Photon Zio Sunscreen Gel is an SPF 50 mineral formula using zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. It finishes matte and works well as a makeup base, with a medium level of white cast and a medium-weight feel that are common to mineral gels. Breakout risk is low and it does not commonly sting, so it is generally agreeable for daily wear. With good protection and a score of 81.5/100, it is a dependable mineral pick for those who prefer a matte, fragrance-light finish.
Ingredient & SPF scores
☀️
UV protection
Good
76
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #3, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +31.4 Titanium Dioxide at #7, UV filter (UVA1 +4.8)
- −0.4 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +4 Label claims (SPF 50, PA rating)
👻
White cast
Medium
55
- +100 Starting score
- −55 Zinc Oxide at #3
- −35 Titanium Dioxide at #7
- −10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- −15 Pure mineral formula
- +15 Penalties exceed the scale, floored at 0
- +50 Iron-oxide undertone, partial masking
- +5 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
🪨
Heavy feel
Medium
56
- +100 Starting score
- −40 Zinc Oxide at #3
- −16 Titanium Dioxide at #7
- −3 Hydrogenated Polydecene at #12, heavy oil
- +14.8 Volatile silicone at #1, flashes off
🍄
Fungal acne
Low
76
- +100 Starting score
- −24 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate)
👕
Fabric stains
Medium
40
- +100 Starting score
- −40 Iron-oxide pigments at #11, makeup-like collar marks (washable)
- −15 Zinc Oxide at #3, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- −5 Both minerals present, heavier deposit
💧
Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- ← 8 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- ← 5 Zinc Oxide at #3, mild sebum absorbent
- → 4 Hyaluronic Acid at #9, hyaluronic family
✨
Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- ← 7 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- ← 2 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Coco-Caprylate/Caprate)
💄
Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- → 9 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- → 8 1 velvet elastomer fillers, blur and grip
- → 2 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- ← 7.5 High mineral load at #3 greys under foundation (tinted)
🌊
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance →Full ingredient list (14)
What each ingredient does and how it moves each rating: green helps, red hurts, ↑ / ↓ give the direction, and ← / → shift a slider toward its ends (finish, moisture, makeup base). Auto-derived from our scoring rules and the ingredient's position.
-
Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
- light ← 8 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte ← 7 volatile carrier, flashes off
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- ↑ 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- ↑ 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light ← 5 mild sebum absorbent
- pills ← 7.5 High mineral load greys under foundation (tinted)
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte ← 2 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 24 feeds malassezia
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide)
- ↑ 31.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 4 → nourishing hyaluronic family
-
Supporting ingredient
-
11 Iron Oxides
Colorant or pigment
- ↑ 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- ↑ 3 heavy oil
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
Is Aclaris Photon Zio Sunscreen Gel mineral or chemical?
It is mineral. The UV filters are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, with no chemical filters.
Does the Aclaris Photon Zio Sunscreen Gel SPF 50 Pa ++++ work under makeup and for oily skin?
Yes. It finishes matte and is rated good as a makeup base, and with low breakout risk it generally suits oily and acne-prone skin. Expect a medium white cast common to mineral gels.
What SPF is it and is it good?
It is SPF 50 with good protection and a score of 81.5/100, making it a dependable mineral choice for daily wear.