Aveeno Sensitive Skin SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Stick Broad Spectrum UVA+UVB
66/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Aveeno Sensitive Skin SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Stick is a pure-mineral zinc oxide stick aimed at sensitive skin. It does not sting and stays low on the pore-clogging scale, but the stick format feels heavy with a dewy finish, a moderate white cast, and it does not layer well under makeup. With a score of 66 out of 100 and moderate protection, it is best as a gentle on-the-go option rather than a primary daily face sunscreen.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Moderate
43
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
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White cast
Medium
35
- +100 Starting score
- β55 Zinc Oxide, 21.6% declared
- β15 Pure mineral formula (21.6% total declared)
- +4.9 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane)
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Heavy feel
High
30
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Zinc Oxide, 21.6% declared
- β6 Polyethylene at #12, wax film
- β6 Ozokerite at #10, wax film
- β6 Paraffin at #11, wax film
- β12 Stick/balm format with a wax skeleton
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Comedogenic
Low
83
- +100 Starting score
- β17 Isopropyl Myristate at #6, heavy comedogenic ester
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Fungal acne
Low
76
- +100 Starting score
- β24 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Isopropyl Myristate)
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Fabric stains
Low
85
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Zinc Oxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
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Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 1.5 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
β¨
Finish
Dewy
MatteDewy
- β 1 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 1 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate)
- β 6 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
- β 4 1 slippy emollient esters (Isopropyl Myristate)
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Makeup base
Poor
PillsPrimer
- β 2 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 8 Occlusives/waxes float the foundation
- β 15 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation
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Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +12 3 water-locking waxes
Skincare extras
Beneficial actives this formula contains. Informational only, not part of the rating: their effect depends on a concentration the label does not disclose.
- β¨ Vitamin E
Full ingredient list (15)
What each ingredient does and how it moves each rating: green helps, red hurts, β / β give the direction, and β / β shift a slider toward its ends (finish, moisture, makeup base). Auto-derived from our scoring rules and the ingredient's position.
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Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 55 21.6% declared
- β 40 21.6% declared
- β 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
- pills β 15 High mineral load greys under foundation
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Film former, locks the formula onto skin for water resistance
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 6 β dewy emollient lipid
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 17 heavy comedogenic ester
- 4 β dewy slippy emollient ester
- β 24 feeds malassezia
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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10 Ozokerite
Occlusive, seals moisture into the skin
- β 6 wax film
- β 4 wax water lock
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11 Paraffin
Occlusive, seals moisture into the skin
- β 6 wax film
- β 4 wax water lock
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12 Polyethylene
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 6 wax film
- β 4 wax water lock
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13 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Supporting ingredient
Does the Aveeno mineral stick leave a white cast?
Expect a moderate white cast, which is typical of pure-mineral zinc oxide sticks. Rubbing it in well helps it blend.
Is the Aveeno Sensitive Skin SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Stick Broad Spectrum UVA+UVB mineral or chemical?
It is a pure-mineral sunscreen using zinc oxide only, formulated for sensitive skin.
Is it good under makeup?
Not really. It rates poorly as a makeup base, feels heavy with a dewy finish, and scores 66 out of 100 with moderate protection. It does not sting, so it works best as a gentle on-the-go option.