CVS Health Children's SPF 50 Mineral-Based Sun Lotion
72/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
CVS Health Children's SPF 50 Mineral-Based Sun Lotion combines Zinc Oxide with the chemical filters Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate and Ethylhexyl Salicylate, making it a hybrid with an older filter set. It has a balanced, lightweight finish, low white cast and a low tendency to clog pores, and it does not commonly sting. It is okay as a makeup base. With good protection and a score of 71.9/100, it is a sensible everyday lotion for the family.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
64
- +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #1, UV filter
- +8 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #2, UV filter
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #3, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- β5 UVB coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
β’οΈ
Health safety
Medium
54
- +100 Starting score
- β36 Octinoxate at #1 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β10 Propylparaben at #16, endocrine-scrutinized preservative
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Allergens
Low
92
- +100 Starting score
- β8 Sensitizing preservatives (Diazolidinyl Urea)
π»
White cast
Low
74
- +100 Starting score
- β28 Zinc Oxide, 14.5% declared
- +2 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane)
π₯
Eye sting
Low
75
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Octinoxate at #1, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Octisalate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
πͺ¨
Heavy feel
Low
82
- +100 Starting score
- β18 Zinc Oxide, 14.5% declared
π΄
Comedogenic
Low
98
- +100 Starting score
- β2 Ethylhexyl Palmitate at #13, heavy comedogenic ester
π
Fungal acne
Low
91
- +100 Starting score
- β9 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Ethylhexyl Palmitate)
π
Fabric stains
Low
85
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Zinc Oxide at #3, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
π§
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 2 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #3, mild sebum absorbent
- β 1 Humectant polyols
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 2 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 2 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate)
- β 6 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
- β 1 1 slippy emollient esters (Ethylhexyl Palmitate)
π
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 2 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 8 1 velvet elastomer fillers, blur and grip
- β 4 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 15 High mineral load at #3 greys under foundation
π
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¨ Aloe vera
Full ingredient list (17)
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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Legacy UV filter (Octinoxate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 18 UV protection
- β 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Legacy UV filter (Octisalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 8 UV protection
- β 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
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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 14.5% declared
- β 18 14.5% 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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4 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant polyol
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 6 β dewy emollient lipid
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 2 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Supporting ingredient
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 heavy comedogenic ester
- 1 β dewy slippy emollient ester
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
- β 10 endocrine-scrutinized preservative
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
Is the CVS Health Children's SPF 50 mineral or chemical?
It is a hybrid, combining mineral Zinc Oxide with the chemical filters Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate and Ethylhexyl Salicylate.
Does the CVS Health Children's SPF 50 Mineral-Based Sun Lotion leave a white cast?
No, it commonly leaves little to no white cast despite containing Zinc Oxide. Its balanced finish helps it wear clear on most skin tones.
What SPF is it?
It is rated SPF 50, which earns a good protection rating. That makes it a sensible everyday lotion for the family.