Olay Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
72/100 overall score
Sign in to see this product's score for your skin.
About this sunscreen
Olay Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 is a mineral formula using Zinc Oxide as its only UV filter. It has a balanced, lightweight finish and is low on pore-clogging, and it generally does not sting, which suits sensitive skin, though it can show a medium level of white cast typical of zinc. It works okay under makeup. With a score of 72 and moderate protection, it is a gentle everyday mineral choice.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Moderate
42
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +1 Label claims (SPF 30)
π»
White cast
Medium
52
- +100 Starting score
- β42 Zinc Oxide, 17.5% declared
- β15 Pure mineral formula (17.5% total declared)
- +5.7 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
- +3.6 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane)
πͺ¨
Heavy feel
Low
75
- +100 Starting score
- β30 Zinc Oxide, 17.5% declared
- +4.5 Volatile hydrocarbon at #4, flashes off
π
Fungal acne
Medium
58
- +100 Starting score
- β42 3 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Steareth-21, Steareth-2, Laureth-7)
- +0 Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride at #3, a safe base that does not feed Malassezia
π
Fabric stains
Low
85
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Zinc Oxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
π§
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 6 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
- β 10 Glycerin at #5, the anchor humectant
- β 4 Light emollient/solvent (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride)
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 6 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
π
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 4 Quick-setting carrier, fast, even canvas
- β 0.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Polyacrylamide)
- β 1.5 Humectant syrup tackiness (partly offset by the base)
- β 15 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance βSkincare 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¨ Niacinamide
Full ingredient list (23)
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.
-
Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 42 17.5% declared
- β 30 17.5% declared
- β 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
- pills β 15 High mineral load greys under foundation
-
2 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 4 β nourishing light emollient
-
Volatile hydrocarbon, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 4 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 4 volatile carrier, flashes off
-
5 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 10 β nourishing the anchor humectant
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 24 feeds malassezia
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Protein, peptide or amino acid, conditions and hydrates skin
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- light β 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
-
13 Steareth-2
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
14 Laureth-7
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
-
Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
-
Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
22 Niacinamide
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
23 Peptide
Protein, peptide or amino acid, conditions and hydrates skin
Is the Olay Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 mineral or chemical?
It is mineral. Zinc Oxide is the only UV filter, with no chemical filters, which generally suits sensitive skin.
Does the Olay Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 leave a white cast?
It can show some. White cast is rated medium, which is typical of a Zinc Oxide formula, so blend it in on deeper skin tones.
Is it good for sensitive skin?
Generally yes. It is a low-sting mineral formula that is low on pore-clogging, which commonly suits sensitive skin.