Kate Somerville Hydrakate Illuminating Sunscreen SPF 50+ Drops
71/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Kate Somerville Hydrakate Illuminating Sunscreen SPF 50+ Drops is a pure mineral formula using zinc oxide as its only UV filter. It has a balanced finish with a low white cast, though the texture sits a touch heavier on skin than featherlight options. Pore-clogging risk is low. Protection is rated moderate and the overall score is 71.4/100, making it a gentle mineral choice for those who prefer zinc-based sunscreens.
Ingredient & SPF scores
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UV protection
Moderate
43
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
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Allergens
Low
96
- +100 Starting score
- β4 Essential oils (Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Sinensis Oil)
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White cast
Low
69
- +100 Starting score
- β55 Zinc Oxide, 24.5% declared
- β15 Pure mineral formula (24.5% total declared)
- +35 Iron-oxide undertone, partial masking
- +3.5 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
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Heavy feel
Medium
60
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Zinc Oxide, 24.5% declared
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Fungal acne
Medium
63
- +100 Starting score
- β9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Lecithin)
- β28 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate)
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Fabric stains
Medium
45
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Iron-oxide pigments at #25, makeup-like collar marks (washable)
- β15 Zinc Oxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
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Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
- β 2 1 strong humectants (Ectoin)
- β 1 Humectant polyols
- β 2 Light emollient/solvent (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride)
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Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 7.5 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation (tinted)
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Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance βFull ingredient list (27)
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 55 24.5% declared
- β 40 24.5% 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 (tinted)
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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3 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 2 β nourishing light emollient
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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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
- β 14 feeds malassezia
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 14 feeds malassezia
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10 Ectoin
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
- 2 β nourishing humectant
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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13 Lecithin
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Plant oil, an emollient
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Plant oil, an emollient
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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19 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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20 Malic Acid
pH adjuster
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Supporting ingredient
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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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25 Ci 77491
Colorant or pigment
- β 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
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26 Ci 77491
Colorant or pigment
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27 Ci 77491
Colorant or pigment
Is Kate Somerville Hydrakate Sunscreen mineral or chemical?
It is a pure mineral sunscreen, using zinc oxide as its only UV filter. That makes it a gentle option for those who prefer zinc-based formulas.
Does the Kate Somerville Hydrakate Illuminating Sunscreen SPF 50+ Drops leave a white cast?
White cast is rated low for a mineral formula. The texture sits a touch heavier on skin than featherlight options, with a balanced finish.
Is Kate Somerville Hydrakate Sunscreen any good?
It scores 71.4/100. Protection is rated moderate, so it is a solid gentle mineral choice rather than a top performer.