Kose Suncut Prodefense Light Up UV Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+ Pa+++
72/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Kose Suncut Prodefense Light Up UV Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+ is a pure mineral stick using zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for broad-spectrum coverage. As a mineral stick it carries a visible white cast and a heavier feel, with a balanced finish, and it is non-stinging and low on breakout risk. It is a poor base under makeup and better suited to touch-ups or body use. Scoring 72.4/100 with good protection, it is a portable option where some cast is acceptable.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
70
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +26.4 Titanium Dioxide at #8, UV filter (UVA1 +4)
- +3 Label claims (SPF 50, PA rating)
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Allergens
Low
98
- +100 Starting score
- β2 Essential oils (Salvia Officinalis Oil)
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White cast
High
27
- +100 Starting score
- β55 Zinc Oxide at #1
- β15 Titanium Dioxide at #8
- β10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- β15 Pure mineral formula
- +9.5 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
- +12.8 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydrogen Dimethicone)
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Heavy feel
High
14
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Zinc Oxide at #1
- β6 Titanium Dioxide at #8
- β12 Synthetic Wax at #6, wax film
- β6 Hydrogenated Polydecene at #4, heavy oil
- β10 Mineral suspended in a dense emollient base (basic)
- β12 Stick/balm format with a wax skeleton
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Comedogenic
Low
83
- +100 Starting score
- β17 Ethylhexyl Palmitate at #5, heavy comedogenic ester
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Fungal acne
High
31
- +100 Starting score
- β18 1 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate)
- β18 2 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin)
- β33 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate)
- +0 Dimethicone at #2, a safe base that does not feed Malassezia
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Fabric stains
Low
80
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Zinc Oxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- β5 Both minerals present, heavier deposit
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Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 8 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Polymethylsilsesquioxane)
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
- β 2 2 emollient lipids (Squalane, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil)
- β 6 Ceramide barrier lipids
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Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 10 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Polymethylsilsesquioxane)
- β 2 2 emollient lipids (Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Squalane)
- β 4 1 slippy emollient esters (Ethylhexyl Palmitate)
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Makeup base
Poor
PillsPrimer
- β 4 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 6 Occlusives/waxes float the foundation
- β 15 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation
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Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +7 1 water-locking waxes
Skincare 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¨ Centella asiatica
- β¨ Vitamin E
Full ingredient list (28)
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 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
- pills β 15 High mineral load greys under foundation
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 8 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 10 sebum-absorbing powder
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 6 heavy oil
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 17 heavy comedogenic ester
- 4 β dewy slippy emollient ester
- β 24 feeds malassezia
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Occlusive, seals moisture into the skin
- β 12 wax film
- β 7 wax water lock
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 26.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 18 feeds malassezia
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Supporting ingredient
-
Supporting ingredient
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Botanical extract
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Plant oil, an emollient
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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15 Tocopherol
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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Botanical extract
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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20 Squalane
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 1 β nourishing emollient lipid
- 1 β dewy emollient lipid
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21 Ceramide NG
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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23 Phytosterols
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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27 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
Does Kose Suncut Prodefense Stick leave a white cast?
Yes, white cast is rated high. As a pure mineral stick with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, it can leave a visible cast.
Is the Kose Suncut Prodefense Light Up UV Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+ Pa+++ mineral or chemical?
It is a pure mineral sunscreen using zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, with no chemical filters.
Does it work under makeup?
It is rated a poor makeup base and has a heavier feel, so it is better for touch-ups or body use than as a base under makeup.