CVS Health Clear Zinc Broad Spectrum Sun Lotion SPF 50
73/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
CVS Health Clear Zinc Broad Spectrum Sun Lotion is an SPF 50 sunscreen that pairs zinc oxide with octocrylene, placing it in the chemical-plus-mineral category rather than pure mineral. It applies lightweight with low white cast and a balanced finish, and is low on stinging and pore-clogging, but it works poorly as a base under makeup. Scoring 73/100 with good protection, it is a solid value pick for broad-spectrum cover, less suited to those who want a primer-friendly layer beneath foundation.
Ingredient & SPF scores
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UV protection
Good
59
- +16 Octocrylene at #1, UV filter
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
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Health safety
High
70
- +100 Starting score
- β30 Octocrylene at #1 (regulatory/evidence concern)
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Allergens
Low
97
- +100 Starting score
- β3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
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White cast
Low
87
- +100 Starting score
- β14 Zinc Oxide, 5% declared
- +1 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane)
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Eye sting
Low
78
- +100 Starting score
- β22 Octocrylene at #1, migrates into eyes with sweat
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Heavy feel
Low
81
- +100 Starting score
- β8 Zinc Oxide, 5% declared
- β6 Cera Alba at #11, wax film
- β5 Hydrogenated Castor Oil at #8, butter/occlusive fat
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Fungal acne
Medium
72
- +100 Starting score
- β14 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Hydrogenated Castor Oil)
- β14 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate)
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Fabric stains
Low
70
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Octocrylene at #1, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- β15 Zinc Oxide at #2, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
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Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 1.5 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 2 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
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Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 1 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 2 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 2 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Diisopropyl Adipate)
- β 4 1 slippy emollient esters (Ethylhexyl Stearate)
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Makeup base
Poor
PillsPrimer
- β 1 Quick-setting carrier, fast, even canvas
- β 2 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 4 Occlusives/waxes float the foundation
- β 15 High mineral load at #2 greys under foundation
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Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +4 1 water-locking waxes
Full ingredient list (22)
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 (Octocrylene), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 16 UV protection
- β 22 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 15 co-stains alongside avobenzone
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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% declared
- β 8 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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3 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 4 β dewy slippy emollient ester
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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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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Plant oil, an emollient
- β 5 butter/occlusive fat
- β 14 feeds malassezia
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 14 feeds malassezia
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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11 Cera Alba
Occlusive, seals moisture into the skin
- β 6 wax film
- β 4 wax water lock
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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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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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14 Silica
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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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Supporting ingredient
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17 Dimethicone
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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22 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
Does CVS Health Clear Zinc Sun Lotion work under makeup?
Its makeup compatibility is rated poor, so it is better worn on its own than as a primer beneath foundation. The finish is balanced and the weight is light, but layering cosmetics over it may not sit cleanly.
Is the CVS Health Clear Zinc Broad Spectrum Sun Lotion SPF 50 mineral or chemical, and what SPF?
It is a chemical-plus-mineral formula, pairing zinc oxide with octocrylene, rated SPF 50. So it is not a pure-mineral sunscreen despite the clear-zinc name.
Is this a good value sunscreen?
With a score of 73 out of 100 and good broad-spectrum protection, it is a capable everyday choice, helped by low white cast and a low tendency to clog pores. The main drawback is poor performance under makeup.