Bergen Dermatology Sheer Joy Sunscreen SPF 50+
83/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Bergen Dermatology Sheer Joy Sunscreen SPF 50+ is a pure mineral sunscreen built on zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. It sets to a matte finish, stays lightweight on skin, and is rated low for white cast, so it generally wears sheer despite its mineral base. The formula is low for pore-clogging and works well as a makeup base, making it a sensible pick for oily or breakout-prone skin. With a strong overall score and good protection, it is one of the stronger options in this set.
Ingredient & SPF scores
☀️
UV protection
Good
75
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +33 Titanium Dioxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +5)
- −1 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
👻
White cast
Low
75
- +100 Starting score
- −28 Zinc Oxide, 14.7% declared
- −7 Titanium Dioxide, 3.5% declared
- −10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- −15 Pure mineral formula (18.2% total declared)
- +30 Iron-oxide undertone, partial masking
- +4.5 Coated minerals (Alumina, Methicone)
🪨
Heavy feel
Low
67
- +100 Starting score
- −18 Zinc Oxide, 14.7% declared
- −10 Titanium Dioxide, 3.5% declared
- −6 Tribehenin at #9, wax film
- −10 Both minerals in the top 3, dual mineral paste
- +11 Volatile silicone at #3, flashes off
🍄
Fungal acne
Medium
64
- +100 Starting score
- −18 1 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Sorbitan Isostearate)
- −9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Lecithin)
- −9 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Sucrose Palmitate)
👕
Fabric stains
Medium
40
- +100 Starting score
- −40 Iron-oxide pigments at #20, makeup-like collar marks (washable)
- −15 Zinc Oxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- −5 Both minerals present, heavier deposit
💧
Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- ← 5 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer)
- ← 12 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- ← 5 Zinc Oxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
- ← 2 Titanium Dioxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
- → 1 Glycerin at #23, the anchor humectant
✨
Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- ← 6 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer)
- ← 11 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
💄
Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- → 8 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- → 12 2 velvet elastomer fillers, blur and grip
- ← 2 Occlusives/waxes float the foundation
- ← 7.5 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation (tinted)
🌊
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +4 1 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.
- ✨ Vitamin E
Full ingredient list (25)
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.
-
Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- ↑ 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- ↑ 28 14.7% declared
- ↑ 18 14.7% declared
- ↑ 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light ← 5 mild sebum absorbent
- pills ← 7.5 High mineral load greys under foundation (tinted)
-
Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- ↑ 33 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- ↑ 7 3.5% declared
- ↑ 10 3.5% declared
- light ← 2 mild sebum absorbent
-
Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
- light ← 8 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte ← 7 volatile carrier, flashes off
-
Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
- light ← 5 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte ← 4 volatile carrier, flashes off
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light ← 5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte ← 6 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
8 Melanin
Supporting ingredient
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- ↑ 6 wax film
- ↑ 4 wax water lock
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 18 feeds malassezia
-
12 Dimethiconol
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
13 Alumina
Supporting ingredient
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Protein, peptide or amino acid, conditions and hydrates skin
-
17 Methicone
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Protein, peptide or amino acid, conditions and hydrates skin
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
20 Iron Oxides
Colorant or pigment
- ↑ 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
-
Supporting ingredient
-
22 Lycopene
Supporting ingredient
-
23 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 → nourishing the anchor humectant
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- ↑ 9 feeds malassezia
-
25 Lecithin
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 9 feeds malassezia
Does Bergen Dermatology Sheer Joy SPF 50+ leave a white cast?
White cast is rated low, so it generally wears sheer even though it is a pure mineral sunscreen. The matte finish and lightweight feel help it blend without obvious residue on most skin tones.
Is the Bergen Dermatology Sheer Joy Sunscreen SPF 50+ good for oily or acne-prone skin?
It is a good fit for oily and breakout-prone skin. The finish is matte, it is rated low for pore-clogging, and it performs well as a makeup base.
Is it mineral or chemical, and is it any good?
It is a pure mineral sunscreen using zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. With a strong overall score and good protection, it is one of the better options in this group.