Blue Lizard Active Mineral-based Sunscreen SPF 50+
80/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Blue Lizard Active Mineral-based Sunscreen SPF 50+ pairs mineral Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide with chemical Ethylhexyl Salicylate. It has a balanced finish with a medium, somewhat heavier feel and a medium level of white cast, and it works poorly as a makeup base, which is common for mineral-led formulas. It does not commonly sting and has low breakout risk. With excellent protection and a score of 80, it is a strong choice for active outdoor use.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Excellent
80
- +8 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #1, UV filter
- +33 Titanium Dioxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +5)
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #3, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- β3 UVB coverage saturated
- β1 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
π»
White cast
Medium
57
- +100 Starting score
- β28 Zinc Oxide, 10% declared
- β18 Titanium Dioxide, 5.4% declared
- β10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- +5.6 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
- +7.6 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Alumina)
π₯
Eye sting
Low
91
- +100 Starting score
- β9 Octisalate at #1, migrates into eyes with sweat
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Heavy feel
Medium
38
- +100 Starting score
- β18 Zinc Oxide, 10% declared
- β10 Titanium Dioxide, 5.4% declared
- β12 Cera Alba at #6, wax film
- β2 Hydrogenated Castor Oil at #18, butter/occlusive fat
- β10 Both minerals in the top 3, dual mineral paste
- β10 Mineral suspended in a dense emollient base (basic)
π΄
Comedogenic
Low
98
- +100 Starting score
- β2 Isostearyl Isostearate at #19, heavy comedogenic ester
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Fungal acne
Medium
59
- +100 Starting score
- β12 1 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Sorbitan Oleate)
- β9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Hydrogenated Castor Oil)
- β18 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate)
- β2 1 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
π
Fabric stains
Low
80
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Titanium Dioxide at #2, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- β5 Both minerals present, heavier deposit
π§
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #3, mild sebum absorbent
- β 2 Titanium Dioxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
- β 1 Light emollient/solvent (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride)
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 3 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
π
Makeup base
Poor
PillsPrimer
- β 1 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 4 Occlusives/waxes float the foundation
- β 15 High mineral load at #2 greys under foundation
π
Water resistance
Resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +6 2 film-forming polymers that lock the formula on for water resistance
- +9 2 water-locking waxes
Full ingredient list (37)
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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Legacy UV filter (Octisalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 8 UV protection
- β 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 33 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 18 5.4% declared
- β 10 5.4% declared
- β 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light β 2 mild sebum absorbent
- pills β 15 High mineral load greys under foundation
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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 28 10% declared
- β 18 10% declared
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
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4 Alumina
Supporting ingredient
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Occlusive, seals moisture into the skin
- β 12 wax film
- β 7 wax water lock
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 3 β dewy emollient lipid
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 1 β nourishing light emollient
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
14 Dimethicone
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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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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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 heavy comedogenic ester
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20 Arginine
pH adjuster
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Film former, locks the formula onto skin for water resistance
- β 3 film former
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30 Propanediol
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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31 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 12 feeds malassezia
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33 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Film former, locks the formula onto skin for water resistance
- β 2 wax water lock
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Film former, locks the formula onto skin for water resistance
- β 3 film former
Does Blue Lizard Active leave a white cast?
It can show a medium level of white cast, which is common for mineral-based formulas using Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. The finish is balanced.
Is the Blue Lizard Active Mineral-based Sunscreen SPF 50+ mineral or chemical?
It is mineral-led, pairing Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide with the chemical filter Ethylhexyl Salicylate.
Is it good?
It scores 80 out of 100 with excellent protection. It is a strong choice for active and outdoor use, though it works poorly under makeup.