Beauty Counter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion Spf 30
63/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Beauty Counter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion is an SPF 30 mineral sunscreen filtered with zinc oxide alone, so it relies entirely on a physical block. The lotion has a balanced finish and wears lightweight, and it does not sting, though as a zinc-only formula it can leave a medium degree of white cast. It is not an obvious choice under makeup. With a score of 63.3 out of 100 and only moderate measured protection, it is a middle-of-the-road option for shoppers who specifically want a mineral lotion.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Moderate
42
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +1 Label claims (SPF 30)
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Allergens
Low
92
- +100 Starting score
- β8 Essential oils (Citrus Sinensis Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Reticulata Peel Oil, β¦)
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White cast
Medium
49
- +100 Starting score
- β42 Zinc Oxide, 19% declared
- β15 Pure mineral formula (19% total declared)
- +5.7 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
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Eye sting
Low
99
- +100 Starting score
- β5 Cooling agents (Mentha Piperita Oil)
- +3.8 Mineral filter system, low-sting filters
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Heavy feel
Low
62
- +100 Starting score
- β30 Zinc Oxide, 19% declared
- β6 Cera Alba at #12, wax film
- β2 Hydrogenated Castor Oil at #20, butter/occlusive fat
π΄
Comedogenic
Medium
45
- +100 Starting score
- β7 Isopropyl Myristate at #10, heavy comedogenic ester
- β17 Ethylhexyl Palmitate at #6, heavy comedogenic ester
- β17 Isopropyl Palmitate at #7, heavy comedogenic ester
- β14 2 heavy comedogens high in the list
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Fungal acne
High
32
- +100 Starting score
- β18 2 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Lecithin, Hydrogenated Castor Oil)
- β50 5 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Isopropyl Myristate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate)
- +0 Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride at #3, a safe base that does not feed Malassezia
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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
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 1.5 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
- β 4 Glycerin at #9, the anchor humectant
- β 4 Light emollient/solvent (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride)
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Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 1 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 2 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Coco-Caprylate)
- β 10 3 slippy emollient esters (Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate)
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Makeup base
Poor
PillsPrimer
- β 2 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 6 Occlusives/waxes float the foundation
- β 15 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +4 1 water-locking waxes
Full ingredient list (30)
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 42 19% declared
- β 30 19% 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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2 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 4 β nourishing light emollient
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 2 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Supporting ingredient
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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
- β 17 heavy comedogenic ester
- 4 β dewy slippy emollient ester
- β 24 feeds malassezia
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 14 feeds malassezia
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9 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 4 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 7 heavy comedogenic ester
- 2 β dewy slippy emollient ester
- β 14 feeds malassezia
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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12 Cera Alba
Occlusive, seals moisture into the skin
- β 6 wax film
- β 4 wax water lock
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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14 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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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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17 Lecithin
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Plant oil, an emollient
- β 2 butter/occlusive fat
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Plant oil, an emollient
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Plant oil, an emollient
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Botanical extract
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Plant oil, an emollient
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Botanical extract
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Plant oil, an emollient
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Botanical extract
Is this a mineral or chemical sunscreen?
It is a mineral sunscreen. The only UV filter is zinc oxide, a physical block, with no chemical filters in the formula.
Does the Beauty Counter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion Spf 30 leave a white cast?
It can. As a zinc-only mineral lotion it commonly leaves a medium degree of white cast, which is more noticeable on deeper skin tones.
Is the Beauty Counter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion Spf 30 good?
It scores 63.3 out of 100 with moderate measured protection, so it is a middle-of-the-road pick. It is best suited to shoppers who specifically want a mineral, zinc-based lotion.