Cosmedix Zinc Defense SPF 50
71/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Cosmedix Zinc Defense SPF 50 is a pure mineral sunscreen using Zinc Oxide as its sole UV filter, a broad-spectrum choice that is generally gentle on sensitive skin. It has a balanced finish with a medium white cast and a medium weight typical of single-zinc formulas, but it does not sting and has low pore-clogging potential. It works okay under makeup. With moderate protection and a score of 70.8/100, it is a straightforward mineral option for those who prefer zinc-only formulas.
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)
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Allergens
Low
97
- +100 Starting score
- β3 1 declared fragrance allergens
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White cast
Medium
41
- +100 Starting score
- β55 Zinc Oxide, 23% declared
- β15 Pure mineral formula (23% total declared)
- +7 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
- +4.4 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane)
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Heavy feel
Medium
60
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Zinc Oxide, 23% declared
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Fungal acne
Medium
59
- +100 Starting score
- β23 2 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Lecithin)
- β18 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate)
- +0 Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride at #3, a safe base that does not feed Malassezia
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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
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 5 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
- β 2 2 strong humectants (Sodium PCA, Ectoin)
- β 2 1 emollient lipids (Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil)
- β 4 Light emollient/solvent (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride)
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Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 6 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 3 2 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylyl Methicone)
- β 3 1 emollient lipids (Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil)
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Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 3 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 3 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 15 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation
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Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +6 2 film-forming polymers that lock the formula on for water resistance
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.
- β¨ Vitamin E
Full ingredient list (35)
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 55 23% declared
- β 40 23% 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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2 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 4 β nourishing light emollient
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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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
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7 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 6 sebum-absorbing powder
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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
- 2 β nourishing emollient lipid
- 3 β dewy emollient lipid
- β 14 feeds malassezia
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 3 film former
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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16 Sodium PCA
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant
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Supporting ingredient
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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19 Ectoin
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
- 1 β nourishing humectant
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Film former, locks the formula onto skin for water resistance
- β 3 film former
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24 Bisabolol
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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Supporting ingredient
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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31 Lecithin
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Supporting ingredient
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34 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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35 Farnesol
Fragrance component, a declared allergen
Is the Cosmedix Zinc Defense SPF 50 mineral or chemical?
It is pure mineral. The only UV filter is Zinc Oxide, which gives broad-spectrum protection and is generally gentle on sensitive skin.
Will the Cosmedix Zinc Defense SPF 50 leave a white cast?
White cast is medium, so some whiteness can show, particularly on deeper skin tones. The weight is medium, typical of a single-zinc formula.
Is it good for acne-prone skin?
It has low pore-clogging potential and does not sting, so it is generally friendly to sensitive and breakout-prone skin. It scores 70.8/100 with moderate protection.