IPSA Protective Sensitive Sunscreen SPF 30/pa++++
77/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
The IPSA Protective Sensitive Sunscreen SPF 30/PA++++ is a pure mineral formula built on Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, so it is filter-only physical protection aimed at sensitive skin. The finish reads balanced and it does not commonly sting, but the white cast is on the visible side and the wear is moderate weight rather than feather-light. With good measured protection and a strong overall score, it is a solid SPF 30 daily pick for those who tolerate the slight ghosting that mineral filters can leave.
Ingredient & SPF scores
☀️
UV protection
Good
75
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #3, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +31.4 Titanium Dioxide at #5, UV filter (UVA1 +4.8)
- −0.4 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +3 Label claims (SPF 30, PA rating)
👻
White cast
High
15
- +100 Starting score
- −55 Zinc Oxide at #3
- −35 Titanium Dioxide at #5
- −10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- −15 Pure mineral formula
- +15 Penalties exceed the scale, floored at 0
- +15 Coated minerals (Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydrogen Dimethicone)
🪨
Heavy feel
Medium
44
- +100 Starting score
- −40 Zinc Oxide at #3
- −16 Titanium Dioxide at #5
🍄
Fungal acne
Medium
62
- +100 Starting score
- −18 1 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate)
- −9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Elaeis Guineensis Oil)
- −9 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate)
- −2 1 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
- +0 Dimethicone at #2, a safe base that does not feed Malassezia
👕
Fabric stains
Low
80
- +100 Starting score
- −15 Zinc Oxide at #3, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- −5 Both minerals present, heavier deposit
💧
Moisture
Hydrating
LightNourishing
- ← 1.5 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- ← 5 Zinc Oxide at #3, mild sebum absorbent
- → 10 Glycerin at #6, the anchor humectant
- → 2 Sodium Hyaluronate at #16, hyaluronic family
- → 1 Humectant polyols
- → 1 1 emollient lipids (Elaeis Guineensis Oil)
✨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- ← 1 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- → 1 1 emollient lipids (Elaeis Guineensis Oil)
💄
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- → 4 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- ← 3 Humectant syrup tackiness
- ← 15 High mineral load at #3 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 (33)
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
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
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
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 → nourishing humectant polyol
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Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide)
- ↑ 31.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
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6 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 10 → nourishing the anchor humectant
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 18 feeds malassezia
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 9 feeds malassezia
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 → nourishing hyaluronic family
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Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
19 Glutathione
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Supporting ingredient
-
22 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- ↑ 2 minor malassezia feeder
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
24 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light ← 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte ← 1 sebum-absorbing powder
-
pH adjuster
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
pH adjuster
-
Plant oil, an emollient
-
29 Palm Oil
Plant oil, an emollient
-
Plant oil, an emollient
- 1 → nourishing emollient lipid
- 1 → dewy emollient lipid
- ↑ 9 feeds malassezia
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31 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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32 Citric Acid
pH adjuster
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
Is this a mineral or chemical sunscreen?
It is a pure mineral sunscreen. Protection comes entirely from Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, the two physical filters, with no chemical UV filters in the mix.
Does the IPSA Protective Sensitive Sunscreen SPF 30/pa++++ leave a white cast?
It can. As a pure mineral formula it commonly leaves a visible white cast, which is typical of zinc and titanium sunscreens, so it may need careful blending on deeper skin tones.
Is the IPSA Protective Sensitive Sunscreen SPF 30/pa++++ good for sensitive skin?
It is generally a sensible sensitive-skin option. It is filter-only mineral protection, rarely stings, and has a low pore-clogging profile, and its good measured protection earns a strong overall score.