Olay Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30
72/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Olay Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 is a pure mineral formula built entirely on Zinc Oxide, a common choice for sensitive skin. The finish is balanced and lightweight, with a medium white cast typical of zinc-based sunscreens. It is low risk for breakouts and sits okay under makeup. With a score of 72.2/100 and moderate protection, it is a gentle daily option best for lower-intensity sun exposure.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Moderate
42
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +1 Label claims (SPF 30)
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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)
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Heavy feel
Low
75
- +100 Starting score
- β30 Zinc Oxide, 17.5% declared
- +4.5 Volatile hydrocarbon at #4, flashes off
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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
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Fabric stains
Low
85
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Zinc Oxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
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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
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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
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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 (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 (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
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2 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 4 β nourishing light emollient
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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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5 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 10 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 24 feeds malassezia
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Protein, peptide or amino acid, conditions and hydrates skin
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- light β 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
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13 Steareth-2
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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14 Laureth-7
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
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Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
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Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
Is Olay Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen mineral or chemical?
It is a pure mineral sunscreen built entirely on Zinc Oxide, which is a common choice for sensitive skin.
Does the Olay Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 leave a white cast?
White cast is rated medium. As a zinc-based formula it can leave some visible film, which is more noticeable on deeper skin tones.
Is it good for acne-prone skin?
It is generally friendly. The balanced finish and low pore-clogging risk make it reasonable for breakout-prone skin, though protection is only moderate.