NYDG Chem-Free Active Defense SPF 30
72/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
NYDG Chem-Free Active Defense is an SPF 30 mineral sunscreen built solely on Zinc Oxide, a broad-spectrum non-chemical filter. It keeps a balanced finish, does not sting and stays lightweight with low pore-clogging risk, though as a single-filter mineral formula it can leave a moderate, visible cast. It layers passably under makeup. At 72/100 with moderate protection, it is a decent fragrance-of-chemicals-free option for those who prefer mineral sunscreens.
Ingredient & SPF scores
☀️
UV protection
Moderate
42
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +1 Label claims (SPF 30)
👻
White cast
Medium
49
- +100 Starting score
- −42 Zinc Oxide, 17.5% declared
- −15 Pure mineral formula (17.5% total declared)
- +5.7 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
🍄
Fungal acne
Medium
56
- +100 Starting score
- −12 1 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Polysorbate 60)
- −9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Lecithin)
- −23 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate)
👕
Fabric stains
Low
85
- +100 Starting score
- −15 Zinc Oxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
💧
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- ← 5 Zinc Oxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
- → 1 1 emollient lipids (Squalane)
- → 2 Light emollient/solvent (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride)
✨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- ← 3 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Isononyl Isononanoate)
- → 1 1 emollient lipids (Squalane)
💄
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- → 3 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- → 3 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- ← 2 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer)
- ← 15 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation
🌊
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance →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.
- ✨ Vitamin E
Full ingredient list (26)
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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Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- ↑ 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- ↑ 42 17.5% declared
- ↑ 30 17.5% declared
- ↑ 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light ← 5 mild sebum absorbent
- pills ← 15 High mineral load greys under foundation
-
2 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte ← 3 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 2 → nourishing light emollient
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Botanical extract
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 14 feeds malassezia
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
14 Squalane
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 1 → nourishing emollient lipid
- 1 → dewy emollient lipid
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 9 feeds malassezia
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
17 Lecithin
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 9 feeds malassezia
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
22 Bisabolol
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 12 feeds malassezia
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
Is NYDG Chem-Free Active Defense mineral or chemical?
It is a pure mineral sunscreen built solely on Zinc Oxide, with no chemical filters. It does not sting and has a low pore-clogging risk.
Does the NYDG Chem-Free Active Defense SPF 30 leave a white cast?
It can. White cast is rated medium, which is common for a single-filter mineral formula. The finish is otherwise balanced and lightweight.
What SPF is it and is it good?
It is SPF 30 and scores 72/100 with moderate protection. It is a decent choice for those who specifically want a mineral sunscreen.