CeraVe Invisible Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 Face
80/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
CeraVe Invisible Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 Face is a pure mineral formula built on titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for broad-spectrum coverage. It has a balanced finish and a medium feel that is neither sheer nor heavy, with a moderate white cast that can show on deeper skin tones. It does not sting and is low for pore-clogging, though it is rated poor as a makeup base. Scoring 79.6 with good protection, it is a dependable fragrance-conscious mineral option, best worn on its own rather than under foundation.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
75
- +33 Titanium Dioxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +5)
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- β1 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
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White cast
Medium
43
- +100 Starting score
- β42 Zinc Oxide, 15.4% declared
- β7 Titanium Dioxide, 2.7% declared
- β10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- β15 Pure mineral formula (18% total declared)
- +7.4 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
- +10 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Alumina)
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Heavy feel
Medium
50
- +100 Starting score
- β30 Zinc Oxide, 15.4% declared
- β10 Titanium Dioxide, 2.7% declared
- β10 Both minerals in the top 3, dual mineral paste
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Fungal acne
Medium
52
- +100 Starting score
- β12 1 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Polysorbate 20)
- β36 4 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Glyceryl Stearate, Steareth-20, Steareth-2)
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Fabric stains
Low
80
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Titanium Dioxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- β5 Both minerals present, heavier deposit
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Moisture
Hydrating
LightNourishing
- β 1.5 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 1 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
- β 2 Titanium Dioxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
- β 10 Glycerin at #5, the anchor humectant
- β 1 1 strong humectants (Panthenol)
- β 8 Ceramide barrier lipids with cholesterol/phytosphingosine partners
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 1 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 1 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 2 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Dicaprylyl Carbonate)
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Makeup base
Poor
PillsPrimer
- β 1 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 2 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 1 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer)
- β 3 Humectant syrup tackiness
- β 15 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation
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Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance βSkincare 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¨ Niacinamide
Full ingredient list (44)
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 (Titanium Dioxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 33 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 7 2.7% declared
- β 10 2.7% 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 42 15.4% declared
- β 30 15.4% declared
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
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3 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
5 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 10 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 2 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
-
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
11 Dimethicone
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Filter booster, photostabilizes the UV filters or lifts their SPF
-
13 Cellulose
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Volatile hydrocarbon, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
-
Supporting ingredient
-
17 Steareth-20
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
18 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
-
19 Steareth-2
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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20 Ceramide NP
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
21 Ceramide AP
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
22 Ceramide EOP
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
23 Carbomer
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
29 Cholesterol
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
31 Alumina
Supporting ingredient
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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33 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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37 Citric Acid
pH adjuster
-
Filter booster, photostabilizes the UV filters or lifts their SPF
-
39 Panthenol
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
- 1 β nourishing humectant
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40 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 12 feeds malassezia
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
44 Benzoic Acid
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
Does CeraVe Invisible Mineral SPF 50 leave a white cast?
White cast is rated medium. Despite the Invisible name, the titanium dioxide and zinc oxide can leave a slight film, and it may be more noticeable on deeper skin tones. Blending it in thoroughly helps reduce the effect.
Can I wear it under makeup?
Makeup compatibility is rated poor for this one. The balanced, medium-weight mineral finish can interfere with foundation layered on top, so it is generally best worn on its own rather than as a makeup base.
Is the CeraVe Invisible Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 Face mineral or chemical?
It is a pure mineral sunscreen, using only titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection.