Dermalogica Ultracalming Super Sensitive Shield SPF 30
81/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Dermalogica UltraCalming Super Sensitive Shield is a pure mineral SPF 30 using Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, aimed at sensitive skin. It finishes matte and lightweight with a low breakout tendency and does not commonly sting, though as an all-mineral formula it can leave a medium white cast. Protection is good and the score is 80.7/100, a dependable gentle daily shield.
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, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil)
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White cast
Medium
47
- +100 Starting score
- β14 Zinc Oxide, 9% declared
- β18 Titanium Dioxide, 7% declared
- β10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- β15 Pure mineral formula (16% total declared)
- +4 Coated minerals (Aluminum Hydroxide)
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Heavy feel
Low
72
- +100 Starting score
- β8 Zinc Oxide, 9% declared
- β20 Titanium Dioxide, 7% declared
- β10 Both minerals in the top 3, dual mineral paste
- +9.5 Volatile silicone at #4, flashes off
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Fungal acne
Low
95
- +100 Starting score
- β5 1 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
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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 1.5 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 6 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 #41, the anchor humectant
- β 2 Sodium Hyaluronate at #19, hyaluronic family
- β 2 2 strong humectants (Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate)
- β 1 Humectant polyols
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Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- β 1 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 5 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 2 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Dicaprylyl Ether)
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Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 6 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 0.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Carbomer)
- β 15 High mineral load at #1 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 (49)
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 18 7% declared
- β 20 7% 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 9% declared
- β 8 9% declared
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
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3 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 5 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 4 volatile carrier, flashes off
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 2 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant polyol
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 5 minor malassezia feeder
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Supporting ingredient
-
11 Dimethicone
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Botanical extract
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 β nourishing hyaluronic family
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20 Sodium PCA
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant
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Botanical extract
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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Plant oil, an emollient
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27 Sodium Dna
Supporting ingredient
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28 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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30 Carbomer
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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33 Bisabolol
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Botanical extract
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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36 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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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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41 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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pH adjuster
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
Does Dermalogica Super Sensitive Shield leave a white cast?
It can. As a pure mineral SPF 30 with Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, its white cast is rated medium, which is common for all-mineral sensitive-skin formulas.
Is the Dermalogica Ultracalming Super Sensitive Shield SPF 30 mineral or chemical?
It is fully mineral, using only Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, which is why it is aimed at sensitive skin and does not commonly sting.
Is it good for sensitive, acne-prone skin?
Generally yes. It has a matte, lightweight finish and a low breakout tendency, scores 80.7/100 with good protection, and is built for sensitive skin.