Cotz Mineral Stick SPF 45
82/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Cotz Mineral Stick SPF 45 is a pure mineral sunscreen in a stick format, using Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. It keeps white cast low for a mineral product and does not commonly sting, with a medium, slightly richer feel typical of a stick balm. The low pore-clogging profile and stick format make it handy for targeted reapplication on the face. With good protection and a score of 81.8/100, it is a convenient mineral option for on-the-go touch-ups.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
74
- +33 Titanium Dioxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +5)
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- β1 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +1 Label claims (SPF 45)
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White cast
Low
70
- +100 Starting score
- β14 Zinc Oxide, 5.5% declared
- β7 Titanium Dioxide, 4% declared
- β10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- β8 Pure mineral formula (9.5% total declared)
- +3.9 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
- +5.3 Coated minerals (Alumina, Aluminum Hydroxide)
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Heavy feel
Medium
58
- +100 Starting score
- β8 Zinc Oxide, 5.5% declared
- β10 Titanium Dioxide, 4% declared
- β2 Ozokerite at #19, wax film
- β10 Both minerals in the top 3, dual mineral paste
- β12 Stick/balm format with a wax skeleton
π΄
Comedogenic
Low
98
- +100 Starting score
- β2 Ethylhexyl Palmitate at #13, heavy comedogenic ester
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Fungal acne
Medium
71
- +100 Starting score
- β9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Lecithin)
- β18 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate)
- β2 1 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
π
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
Light
LightNourishing
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
- β 2 Titanium Dioxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 3 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
- β 1 1 slippy emollient esters (Ethylhexyl Palmitate)
π
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 1 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
- +2 1 water-locking waxes
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 C
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 (Titanium Dioxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 33 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 7 4% declared
- β 10 4% 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 14 5.5% declared
- β 8 5.5% declared
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
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3 Alumina
Supporting ingredient
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Supporting ingredient
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 3 β dewy emollient lipid
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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11 Citric Acid
pH adjuster
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 heavy comedogenic ester
- 1 β dewy slippy emollient ester
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Occlusive, seals moisture into the skin
-
16 Hexyldecanol
Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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18 Lecithin
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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19 Ozokerite
Occlusive, seals moisture into the skin
- β 2 wax film
- β 2 wax water lock
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20 PEG-8
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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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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23 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
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24 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Botanical extract
Does Cotz Mineral Stick leave a white cast?
White cast is kept low for a mineral product. It uses Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, but the formula is tuned to minimize visible cast.
Is the Cotz Mineral Stick SPF 45 mineral or chemical?
It is a pure mineral stick, using Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. The stick format makes it easy to reapply on the go.
Is it good for acne-prone skin?
It is a reasonable fit. The pore-clogging risk is rated low and it does not commonly sting, though the stick texture feels a bit richer.