Neostrata Sheer Physical Protection Spf 50
83/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Neostrata Sheer Physical Protection SPF 50 is a pure mineral sunscreen using titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, the two filters that physically reflect UV. It is formulated to feel lightweight with a balanced finish and low white cast, which is notable for a mineral product, and it does not commonly sting while keeping a low pore-clogging profile. At 82.9/100 with good protection it is a dependable mineral choice, generally suited to sensitive skin and usable under makeup.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
75
- +33 Titanium Dioxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +5)
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- β1 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
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White cast
Low
81
- +100 Starting score
- β14 Zinc Oxide, 6% declared
- β18 Titanium Dioxide, 7% declared
- β10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- β8 Pure mineral formula (13% total declared)
- +25 Iron-oxide undertone, partial masking
- +2.5 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
- +3.4 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Alumina, Hydrogen Dimethicone)
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Heavy feel
Low
63
- +100 Starting score
- β8 Zinc Oxide, 6% declared
- β20 Titanium Dioxide, 7% declared
- β6 Hydrogenated Polydecene at #7, heavy oil
- β10 Both minerals in the top 3, dual mineral paste
- +6.6 Volatile hydrocarbon at #5, flashes off
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Fabric stains
Medium
40
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Iron-oxide pigments at #33, makeup-like collar marks (washable)
- β15 Titanium Dioxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- β5 Both minerals present, heavier deposit
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Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 1.5 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Nylon-12)
- β 5 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
- β 2 Titanium Dioxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
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Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 1 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Nylon-12)
- β 5 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 6 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
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Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 3 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 3 Quick-setting carrier, fast, even canvas
- β 2 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 7.5 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation (tinted)
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Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +7 1 film-forming polymers that lock the formula on for water resistance
Full ingredient list (33)
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 7% declared
- β 20 7% declared
- β 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light β 2 mild sebum absorbent
- pills β 7.5 High mineral load greys under foundation (tinted)
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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% declared
- β 8 6% declared
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
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3 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Volatile hydrocarbon, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 4 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 4 volatile carrier, flashes off
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 6 β dewy emollient lipid
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 6 heavy oil
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 7 film former
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11 Alumina
Supporting ingredient
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
16 Nylon-12
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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21 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Volatile hydrocarbon, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
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pH adjuster
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Supporting ingredient
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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33 Iron Oxides
Colorant or pigment
- β 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
Does Neostrata Sheer Physical Protection SPF 50 leave a white cast?
It is rated low for white cast, which is notable for a mineral sunscreen. The sheer formula is designed to minimise the residue that titanium dioxide and zinc oxide can sometimes leave.
Is the Neostrata Sheer Physical Protection Spf 50 mineral or chemical?
It is a pure mineral sunscreen. It relies on titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, the two physical filters, with no chemical absorbers.
Is it good for sensitive or acne-prone skin?
As a mineral formula it does not commonly sting and has a low pore-clogging profile, so it is generally suited to sensitive and acne-prone skin. It scores 82.9/100 with good protection.