Dot and key Vitamin C + E 100% Mineral Sunscreen In-vivo Tested SPF 50+, Pa++++
79/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Dot & Key Vitamin C + E 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ is a pure mineral sunscreen using Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. The balanced finish does not commonly sting and works well under makeup, with a low pore-clogging profile, but as a high-zinc mineral formula it can leave a visible white cast. Protection is good at SPF 50+. The score of 78.5/100 makes it a solid mineral option for those who do not mind some cast.
Ingredient & SPF scores
☀️
UV protection
Good
71
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +26.4 Titanium Dioxide at #12, UV filter (UVA1 +4)
- +4 Label claims (SPF 50, PA rating)
👻
White cast
High
15
- +100 Starting score
- −55 Zinc Oxide at #2
- −15 Titanium Dioxide at #12
- −10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- −15 Pure mineral formula
- +9.5 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
🪨
Heavy feel
Low
61
- +100 Starting score
- −40 Zinc Oxide at #2
- −6 Titanium Dioxide at #12
- +6.9 Volatile hydrocarbon at #7, flashes off
🍄
Fungal acne
Low
79
- +100 Starting score
- −12 1 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Sorbitan Isostearate)
- −9 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate)
👕
Fabric stains
Low
80
- +100 Starting score
- −15 Zinc Oxide at #2, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- −5 Both minerals present, heavier deposit
💧
Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- ← 1.5 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- ← 6 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- ← 5 Zinc Oxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
- → 1 Glycerin at #19, the anchor humectant
✨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- ← 1 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- ← 6 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- → 9 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
💄
Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- → 5 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- → 12 2 velvet elastomer fillers, blur and grip
- → 3 Quick-setting carrier, fast, even canvas
- → 3 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- ← 15 High mineral load at #2 greys under foundation
🌊
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance →Full ingredient list (43)
What each ingredient does and how it moves each rating: green helps, red hurts, ↑ / ↓ give the direction, and ← / → 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
- ↑ 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- ↑ 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light ← 5 mild sebum absorbent
- pills ← 15 High mineral load greys under foundation
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 9 → dewy emollient lipid
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Volatile hydrocarbon, flashes off for a light finish
- light ← 4 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte ← 4 volatile carrier, flashes off
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
- light ← 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte ← 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
-
Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- ↑ 26.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
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13 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light ← 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte ← 1 sebum-absorbing powder
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14 Dimethicone
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
19 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 → nourishing the anchor humectant
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 9 feeds malassezia
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 12 feeds malassezia
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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30 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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31 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Botanical extract
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37 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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38 Niacinamide
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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40 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
Does Dot & Key 100% Mineral Sunscreen leave a white cast?
It can leave a visible white cast. As a high-zinc and titanium mineral formula, a pale film is more likely, especially on deeper skin tones.
Is the Dot and key Vitamin C + E 100% Mineral Sunscreen In-vivo Tested SPF 50+, Pa++++ mineral or chemical?
It is 100% mineral. It uses Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide.
Is Dot & Key Vitamin C + E Mineral Sunscreen any good?
It scores 78.5/100. Protection is good at SPF 50+, it works under makeup and does not commonly sting, making it a solid mineral option for those who do not mind some cast.