Cetaphil Daily Defence SPF50
67/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Cetaphil Daily Defence SPF50 is a pure-mineral sunscreen built on Zinc Oxide, in line with the brand's focus on sensitive skin. As a mineral formula it carries a medium chance of a white cast on a balanced finish, but wears lightweight, is generally non-stinging, and is low on pore-clogging, working okay under makeup. With moderate protection and a score of 66.8/100, it is a gentle everyday mineral option for reactive skin.
Ingredient & SPF scores
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UV protection
Moderate
43
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
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Allergens
Low
99
- +100 Starting score
- β1 1 declared fragrance allergens
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White cast
Medium
37
- +100 Starting score
- β55 Zinc Oxide at #2
- β15 Pure mineral formula
- +7 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
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Heavy feel
Low
66
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Zinc Oxide at #2
- +6 Volatile hydrocarbon at #4, flashes off
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Comedogenic
Low
68
- +100 Starting score
- β32 Isopropyl Palmitate at #3, heavy comedogenic ester
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Fungal acne
Medium
45
- +100 Starting score
- β50 4 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Isopropyl Palmitate, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate)
- β5 1 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
- +0 Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil at #20, jojoba wax ester, fungal-acne exception (not penalized)
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Fabric stains
Low
85
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Zinc Oxide at #2, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
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Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 6 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
- β 1 1 emollient lipids (Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil)
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Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 6 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 1 1 emollient lipids (Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil)
- β 6 1 slippy emollient esters (Isopropyl Palmitate)
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Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 4 Quick-setting carrier, fast, even canvas
- β 3 Occlusives/waxes float the foundation
- β 15 High mineral load at #2 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 βFull ingredient list (20)
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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1 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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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 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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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 32 heavy comedogenic ester
- 6 β dewy slippy emollient ester
- β 36 feeds malassezia
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Volatile hydrocarbon, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 4 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 4 volatile carrier, flashes off
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 24 feeds malassezia
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 24 feeds malassezia
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Volatile hydrocarbon, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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10 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 5 minor malassezia feeder
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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14 Citric Acid
pH adjuster
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Supporting ingredient
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19 Sorbic Acid
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Botanical extract
- 1 β nourishing emollient lipid
- 1 β dewy emollient lipid
Is this mineral or chemical?
It is a pure-mineral sunscreen built on Zinc Oxide, with no chemical filters, in line with the brand's sensitive-skin focus.
Does the Cetaphil Daily Defence SPF50 leave a white cast?
There is a medium chance of a white cast, which is common for Zinc Oxide formulas. The finish is balanced and it wears lightweight.
Is the Cetaphil Daily Defence SPF50 good for acne-prone skin?
It is a reasonable option. Pore-clogging risk is low, it is generally non-stinging, and it works okay under makeup.