e.l.f. Cosmetics Beauty Shield Spf 50 Skin Shielding Primer
71/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
e.l.f. Cosmetics Beauty Shield SPF 50 Skin Shielding Primer is a pure mineral zinc oxide primer. It sets matte, does not sting, and is low on the pore-clogging scale, with a lightweight feel, though it can leave a medium white cast. Built as a primer, it works well as a makeup base. Single-filter zinc generally runs lighter on measured UV coverage, matching its moderate protection rating, and it scores 70.7/100.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Moderate
43
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
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Allergens
Low
70
- +100 Starting score
- β18 Fragrance
- β12 Opaque "Fragrance", hidden allergens that can't be checked from the label
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White cast
Medium
53
- +100 Starting score
- β35.8 Zinc Oxide, 25% declared (nano)
- β15 Pure mineral formula (25% total declared)
- +3.6 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane)
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Eye sting
Low
98
- +100 Starting score
- β8 Fragrance
- +6 Mineral filter system, low-sting filters
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Heavy feel
Low
70
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Zinc Oxide, 25% declared
- +10 Volatile silicone at #2, flashes off
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Fungal acne
Low
80
- +100 Starting score
- β9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil)
- β9 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Glyceryl Stearate)
- β2 1 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
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Fabric stains
Low
85
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Zinc Oxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
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Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 6 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Silica Dimethyl Silylate)
- β 12 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
- β 1 1 emollient lipids (Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil)
β¨
Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- β 6 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Silica Dimethyl Silylate)
- β 11 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 1 1 emollient lipids (Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil)
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Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 8 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 8 1 velvet elastomer fillers, blur and grip
- β 7.5 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation (nano)
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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¨ Vitamin E
- β¨ Vitamin C
Full ingredient list (21)
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 (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 35.8 25% declared (nano)
- β 40 25% declared
- β 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
- pills β 7.5 High mineral load greys under foundation (nano)
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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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Supporting ingredient
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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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5 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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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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Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Botanical extract
- 1 β nourishing emollient lipid
- 1 β dewy emollient lipid
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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17 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
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18 Fragrance
Fragrance
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
Is e.l.f. Beauty Shield SPF 50 Primer mineral or chemical?
It is pure mineral, using zinc oxide as the only UV filter. There are no chemical filters.
Does the e.l.f. Cosmetics Beauty Shield Spf 50 Skin Shielding Primer leave a white cast?
It can leave a medium white cast, which is common for zinc-based formulas, though it sets matte and feels lightweight.
Does it work under makeup and is it good?
Yes, it is built as a primer and works well as a makeup base, and it is low on the pore-clogging scale. It scores 70.7/100 with moderate protection.