MDSolarSciences Solar Stick SPF 40
77/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
MDSolarSciences Solar Stick SPF 40 is a pure mineral stick sunscreen built on Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, convenient for targeted reapplication. It has a dewy finish with some medium white cast and a heavier, richer feel typical of mineral sticks, and it does not sting. It is not really intended as a makeup base. With good rated protection and a score of 76.5, it is a handy mineral option for face and exposed spots.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
74
- +33 Titanium Dioxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +5)
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- β1 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +1 Label claims (SPF 40)
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White cast
Medium
58
- +100 Starting score
- β14 Zinc Oxide, 6.6% declared
- β18 Titanium Dioxide, 8.1% declared
- β10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- β8 Pure mineral formula (14.7% total declared)
- +5 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
- +3.1 Coated minerals (Aluminum Hydroxide)
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Heavy feel
High
0
- +100 Starting score
- β8 Zinc Oxide, 6.6% declared
- β20 Titanium Dioxide, 8.1% declared
- β14 Petrolatum at #6, heaviest occlusive
- β2 Cera Alba at #16, wax film
- β20 Polyethylene at #3, wax film
- β10 Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit at #5, butter/occlusive fat
- β10 Both minerals in the top 3, dual mineral paste
- β18 Mineral suspended in a dense emollient base (strong)
- β12 Stick/balm format with a wax skeleton
- +14 Penalties exceed the scale, floored at 0
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Fungal acne
Medium
65
- +100 Starting score
- β24 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit)
- β9 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Glyceryl Isostearate)
- β2 1 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
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Fabric stains
Low
80
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Titanium Dioxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- β5 Both minerals present, heavier deposit
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Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
- β 2 Titanium Dioxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
- β 4 1 emollient lipids (Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit)
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Finish
Dewy
MatteDewy
- β 1 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate)
- β 9 2 emollient lipids (Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
- β 5 Occlusives seal moisture in (Petrolatum)
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Makeup base
Poor
PillsPrimer
- β 3 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 2 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 19 Occlusives/waxes float the foundation
- β 15 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation
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Water resistance
Resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +7 1 film-forming polymers that lock the formula on for water resistance
- +12 2 water-locking waxes
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 (Titanium Dioxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 33 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 18 8.1% declared
- β 20 8.1% declared
- β 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light β 2 mild sebum absorbent
- pills β 15 High mineral load greys under foundation
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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 14 6.6% declared
- β 8 6.6% declared
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 20 wax film
- β 10 wax water lock
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Botanical extract
- β 10 butter/occlusive fat
- 4 β nourishing emollient lipid
- 6 β dewy emollient lipid
- β 24 feeds malassezia
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Occlusive, seals moisture into the skin
- β 14 heaviest occlusive
- 5 β dewy occlusive
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 3 β dewy emollient lipid
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 7 film former
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Supporting ingredient
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14 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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16 Cera Alba
Occlusive, seals moisture into the skin
- β 2 wax film
- β 2 wax water lock
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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19 BHT
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Supporting ingredient
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
Is the MDSolarSciences Solar Stick SPF 40 mineral or chemical?
It is a pure mineral sunscreen, using Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. That makes it a common pick for sensitive skin.
Does the MDSolarSciences Solar Stick SPF 40 leave a white cast?
Expect some visible white cast. A medium cast is common for mineral sticks, and the feel is on the heavier side.
Is it any good?
It scores 76.5/100 with good protection. It is a handy mineral stick, though its heavier feel makes it a poor makeup base.