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Cetaphil Sheer 100% Mineral Liquid Sunscreen For Face With Zinc Oxide Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Formulated For Sensitive Skin

Cetaphil Sheer 100% Mineral Liquid Sunscreen For Face With Zinc Oxide Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Formulated For Sensitive Skin

75/100 overall score

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About this sunscreen

Cetaphil Sheer 100% Mineral Liquid Sunscreen for Face SPF 50 is a zinc-oxide-only mineral formula made for sensitive skin. It wears with a balanced finish, stays lightweight, and keeps white cast and stinging low, which is notable for a pure mineral product. With moderate protection and a score of 74.5/100, it is a sensible, gentle option for those who prefer a mineral-only sunscreen.

Ingredient & SPF scores

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UV protection

Moderate 43
  • +41 Zinc Oxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
  • +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
How we rate uv protection β†’
☒️

Health safety

High 100
  • +100 Starting score
How we rate health safety β†’
🀧

Allergens

Low 100
  • +100 Starting score
How we rate allergens β†’
πŸ‘»

White cast

Low 64
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’28 Zinc Oxide, 12% declared
  • βˆ’8 Pure mineral formula (12% total declared)
How we rate white cast β†’
πŸ”₯

Eye sting

Low 100
  • +100 Starting score
How we rate eye sting β†’
πŸͺ¨

Heavy feel

Low 82
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’18 Zinc Oxide, 12% declared
How we rate heavy feel β†’
πŸ”΄

Comedogenic

Low 100
  • +100 Starting score
How we rate comedogenic β†’
πŸ„

Fungal acne

Safe 100
  • +100 Starting score
How we rate fungal acne β†’
πŸ‘•

Fabric stains

Low 85
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’15 Zinc Oxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
How we rate fabric stains β†’
πŸ’§

Moisture

Light
LightNourishing
  • ← 1.5 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Polymethylsilsesquioxane)
  • ← 2 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
  • ← 5 Zinc Oxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
How we rate moisture β†’
✨

Finish

Balanced
MatteDewy
  • ← 1 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Polymethylsilsesquioxane)
  • ← 2 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
  • ← 2 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Caprylyl Methicone)
  • β†’ 6 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
How we rate finish β†’
πŸ’„

Makeup base

Okay
PillsPrimer
  • β†’ 1 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
  • β†’ 1 Quick-setting carrier, fast, even canvas
  • β†’ 4 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
  • β†’ 4 Transfer-resistant grip resin, holds makeup
  • ← 15 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation
How we rate makeup base β†’
🌊

Water resistance

Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant

Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.

How we rate water resistance β†’

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.

  • ✨ Allantoin
  • ✨ Bisabolol
  • ✨ Niacinamide

Full ingredient list (26)

What each ingredient does and how it moves each rating: green helps, red hurts, ↑ / ↓ give the direction, and ← / β†’ shift a slider toward its ends (finish, moisture, makeup base). Auto-derived from our scoring rules and the ingredient's position.

  1. 1 Zinc Oxide

    Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter

    • ↑ 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
    • ↑ 28 12% declared
    • ↑ 18 12% declared
    • ↑ 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
    • light ← 5 mild sebum absorbent
    • pills ← 15 High mineral load greys under foundation
  2. 2 Allantoin

    Soothing, skin-conditioning active

  3. 3 Bisabolol

    Soothing, skin-conditioning active

  4. Emollient, softens and smooths skin

  5. Emollient, softens and smooths skin

    • 6 β†’ dewy emollient lipid
  6. 6 Caprylyl Glycol

    Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling

  7. 7 Caprylyl Methicone

    Emollient, softens and smooths skin

    • matte ← 2 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
  8. 8 Dimethicone

    Emollient, softens and smooths skin

  9. Emollient, softens and smooths skin

  10. 10 Ethylhexyl-Glycerin

    Humectant, pulls water into the skin

  11. 11 Hexylene Glycol

    Humectant, pulls water into the skin

  12. 12 Isododecane

    Volatile hydrocarbon, flashes off for a light finish

    • light ← 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
    • matte ← 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
  13. Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended

  14. Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended

  15. 15 Niacinamide

    Soothing, skin-conditioning active

  16. Emollient, softens and smooths skin

  17. 17 PEG-10

    Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended

  18. 18 Phenoxyethanol

    Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling

  19. 19 Polymethylsilsesquioxane

    Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish

    • light ← 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
    • matte ← 1 sebum-absorbing powder
  20. 20 Propanediol

    Humectant, pulls water into the skin

  21. 21 Sodium Chloride

    Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream

  22. 22 Sodium Hydroxide

    pH adjuster

  23. Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable

  24. 24 Tocopherol

    Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin

  25. 25 Trilaureth-4 Phosphate

    Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended

  26. 26 Water

    Solvent base, the water phase

Does Cetaphil Sheer 100% Mineral leave a white cast?

White cast rates low, which is notable for a zinc-oxide-only formula. The finish is balanced and lightweight, so it is generally easier to wear than many mineral sunscreens.

Is the Cetaphil Sheer 100% Mineral Liquid Sunscreen For Face With Zinc Oxide Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Formulated For Sensitive Skin mineral or chemical?

It is a 100% mineral sunscreen, with protection from zinc oxide alone and no chemical filters.

Is it good for sensitive skin?

It is formulated for sensitive skin and rates low for stinging, so it is generally a gentle choice. It scores 74.5/100 with moderate protection.

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