Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50
75/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 is a pure mineral stick using zinc oxide as its only UV filter. It gives a balanced finish, stays lightweight, and is rated low for white cast, which is notable for a mineral stick. It is low for pore-clogging and an okay base under makeup, so it suits sensitive or acne-prone skin. Protection is rated moderate and the overall score is solid, making it a practical on-the-go choice.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Moderate
43
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
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White cast
Low
64
- +100 Starting score
- β28 Zinc Oxide, 12% declared
- β8 Pure mineral formula (12% total declared)
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Heavy feel
Low
82
- +100 Starting score
- β18 Zinc Oxide, 12% declared
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Fabric stains
Low
85
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Zinc Oxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
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Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 1.5 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Polymethylsilsesquioxane)
- β 2 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 1 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Polymethylsilsesquioxane)
- β 2 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 2 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Caprylyl Methicone)
- β 6 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
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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
- 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¨ Allantoin
- β¨ Bisabolol
- β¨ Niacinamide
Full ingredient list (26)
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 (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 28 12% declared
- β 18 12% declared
- 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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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 6 β dewy emollient lipid
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 2 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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12 Isododecane
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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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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15 Niacinamide
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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17 PEG-10
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
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20 Propanediol
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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pH adjuster
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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24 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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26 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
Does the Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Stick SPF 50 leave a white cast?
White cast is rated low, which is notable for a mineral stick built on zinc oxide. It commonly wears fairly sheer with a balanced finish.
Is the Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 good for acne-prone skin?
It is rated low for pore-clogging and is an okay base under makeup, so it is generally suitable for sensitive and breakout-prone skin.
What SPF is it and is it mineral?
It is SPF 50 and pure mineral, using zinc oxide as its only UV filter. Protection is rated moderate and the overall score is solid.