Dermalogica Invisible Physical Defense Sunscreen Spf 30
70/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Dermalogica Invisible Physical Defense SPF 30 is a pure mineral sunscreen built on Zinc Oxide. It aims for an invisible wear, with a balanced finish and a medium, cushioned feel, though white cast reads as moderate as is common with mineral formulas. It does not sting and pore-clogging risk is low, so it is generally gentle on sensitive skin. With a score of 69.5 and moderate protection, it is a reasonable mineral pick for daily use.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Moderate
42
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +1 Label claims (SPF 30)
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Allergens
Low
92
- +100 Starting score
- β2 2 declared fragrance allergens
- β6 Essential oils (Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Lavandula Spica Flower Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil)
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White cast
Medium
37
- +100 Starting score
- β55 Zinc Oxide at #2
- β15 Pure mineral formula
- +7 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
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Eye sting
Low
99
- +100 Starting score
- β4 2 declared fragrance allergens
- +3 Mineral filter system, low-sting filters
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Fungal acne
Low
86
- +100 Starting score
- β14 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil)
- +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 #2, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
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Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 3 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
- β 4 Glycerin at #8, the anchor humectant
- β 2 Sodium Hyaluronate at #15, hyaluronic family
- β 1 Humectant polyols
- β 2 1 emollient lipids (Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil)
- β 4 Light emollient/solvent (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride)
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 3 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 9 2 emollient lipids (Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
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Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 3 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 2 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 15 High mineral load at #2 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¨ Green tea
Full ingredient list (37)
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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1 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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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 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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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 4 β nourishing light emollient
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 6 β dewy emollient lipid
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant polyol
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8 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 4 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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9 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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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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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 β nourishing hyaluronic family
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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24 Propanediol
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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pH adjuster
-
Supporting ingredient
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28 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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30 Bisabolol
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Plant oil, an emollient
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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pH adjuster
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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36 Linalool
Fragrance component, a declared allergen
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37 Limonene
Fragrance component, a declared allergen
Is Dermalogica Invisible Physical Defense mineral or chemical?
It is a pure mineral sunscreen, protected solely by Zinc Oxide.
Does the Dermalogica Invisible Physical Defense Sunscreen Spf 30 really wear invisibly?
It aims for an invisible finish, though white cast is rated moderate, as is common with mineral formulas, so a slight cast may show on deeper tones.
Is it good for sensitive skin?
It does not sting and pore-clogging risk is low, so it is generally gentle for sensitive skin. It scores 69.5 with moderate protection.