Herskin Sun Defense SPF 45
70/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Herskin Sun Defense SPF 45 is a sunscreen using older-generation Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate alongside mineral Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. It has a balanced, lightweight finish and does not sting, but the mineral content leaves a visible white cast. Pore-clogging risk is low and it sits okay under makeup. With good protection and a score of 69.7/100, it is a workable daily option, with the white cast being its main drawback.
Ingredient & SPF scores
☀️
UV protection
Good
78
- +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #3, UV filter
- +38.9 Zinc Oxide at #4, UV filter (UVA1 +17.1)
- +31.4 Titanium Dioxide at #5, UV filter (UVA1 +4.8)
- −11.6 UVB coverage saturated
- +1 Label claims (SPF 45)
☢️
Health safety
High
64
- +100 Starting score
- −36 Octinoxate at #3 (regulatory/evidence concern)
🤧
Allergens
Low
70
- +100 Starting score
- −18 Fragrance
- −12 Opaque "Fragrance", hidden allergens that can't be checked from the label
👻
White cast
High
25
- +100 Starting score
- −30 Zinc Oxide at #4
- −35 Titanium Dioxide at #5
- −10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
🔥
Eye sting
Low
76
- +100 Starting score
- −16 Octinoxate at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −8 Fragrance
🪨
Heavy feel
Low
62
- +100 Starting score
- −22 Zinc Oxide at #4
- −16 Titanium Dioxide at #5
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Fabric stains
Low
85
- +100 Starting score
- −10 Zinc Oxide at #4, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- −5 Both minerals present, heavier deposit
💧
Moisture
Hydrating
LightNourishing
- ← 2 Zinc Oxide at #4, mild sebum absorbent
- → 16 Glycerin at #2, the anchor humectant
💄
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- ← 7 Humectant syrup tackiness
- ← 6 High mineral load at #4 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 (10)
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
-
2 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 16 → nourishing the anchor humectant
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Legacy UV filter (Octinoxate), high in the list, a primary filter
- ↑ 18 UV protection
- ↑ 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide)
- ↑ 38.9 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- ↑ 10 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light ← 2 mild sebum absorbent
- pills ← 6 High mineral load greys under foundation
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Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide)
- ↑ 31.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
10 Fragrance
Fragrance
Does Herskin Sun Defense leave a white cast?
Yes, it is rated high for white cast because it contains mineral Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. A visible film is common, especially on deeper skin tones.
Is the Herskin Sun Defense SPF 45 mineral or chemical?
It is a mixed formula, pairing chemical Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate with mineral Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide.
Is Herskin Sun Defense good?
It scores 69.7/100 with good SPF 45 protection. It is a workable daily option that is lightweight and does not sting, with the white cast being its main drawback.