Dermalogica Skin Perfect Primer Spf 30
83/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Dermalogica Skin Perfect Primer SPF 30 is a fully mineral sunscreen primer using Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. It wears matte and lightweight with a low chance of white cast, and it is generally gentle and non-stinging. As a primer it is designed to sit well under makeup and is low on pore-clogging concerns. Scoring 83.2/100 with good protection, it is a strong choice for anyone wanting sun defense and a smooth makeup base in one step.
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 30)
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Allergens
Low
94
- +100 Starting score
- β6 Essential oils (Lavandula Spica Flower Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil)
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White cast
Low
77
- +100 Starting score
- β28 Zinc Oxide, 14% declared
- β7 Titanium Dioxide, 4% declared
- β10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- β15 Pure mineral formula (18% total declared)
- +30 Iron-oxide undertone, partial masking
- +3 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
- +4.1 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide)
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Heavy feel
Low
72
- +100 Starting score
- β18 Zinc Oxide, 14% declared
- β10 Titanium Dioxide, 4% declared
- β10 Both minerals in the top 3, dual mineral paste
- +9.5 Volatile silicone at #3, flashes off
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Fungal acne
Safe
98
- +100 Starting score
- β2 1 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
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Fabric stains
Medium
40
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Iron-oxide pigments at #34, makeup-like collar marks (washable)
- 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 8 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer)
- β 8 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
- β 2 Titanium Dioxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
- β 1 Glycerin at #30, the anchor humectant
- β 2 Sodium Hyaluronate at #16, hyaluronic family
- β 1 1 strong humectants (Sodium PCA)
- β 2 Light emollient/solvent (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride)
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Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- β 9 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Silica)
- β 7 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 2 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Diisopropyl Adipate)
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Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 8 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 12 2 velvet elastomer fillers, blur and grip
- β 2 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 7.5 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation (tinted)
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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 (34)
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 7.5 High mineral load greys under foundation (tinted)
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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% declared
- β 18 14% declared
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
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Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 8 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 7 volatile carrier, flashes off
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 2 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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Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 6 sebum-absorbing powder
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8 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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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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11 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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pH adjuster
-
Botanical extract
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Protein, peptide or amino acid, conditions and hydrates skin
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Protein, peptide or amino acid, conditions and hydrates skin
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 β nourishing hyaluronic family
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Protein, peptide or amino acid, conditions and hydrates skin
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18 Silanetriol
Supporting ingredient
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Protein, peptide or amino acid, conditions and hydrates skin
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Botanical extract
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Plant oil, an emollient
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Botanical extract
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23 Sodium PCA
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Supporting ingredient
-
26 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
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Supporting ingredient
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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30 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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33 Tin Oxide
Colorant or pigment
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34 Iron Oxides
Colorant or pigment
- β 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
Is the Dermalogica Skin Perfect Primer mineral or chemical?
It is a fully mineral sunscreen, using only Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. There are no chemical UV filters in the formula.
Does the Dermalogica Skin Perfect Primer Spf 30 work under makeup?
Yes. It is designed as a primer and is rated as a good makeup base, with a matte, lightweight finish that helps makeup sit smoothly.
Is it good for oily or acne-prone skin?
It tends to suit oily skin well, with a matte finish and low pore-clogging concerns. It is also generally gentle and non-stinging.