Physicians Formula Natural Defense Triple Defense Multicolor Stick SPF 20
75/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Physicians Formula Natural Defense Triple Defense Multicolor Stick is a pure mineral SPF 20 stick using Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. It keeps white cast low with a balanced finish and a low pore-clogging profile, though the stick format tends to feel heavier on skin and is generally a poor base under makeup. It does not commonly sting the eyes. With good protection and a score of 74.6/100, it is a reasonable mineral option, but the modest SPF 20 means it suits lower-exposure days more than full sun.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
73
- +33 Titanium Dioxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +5)
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- β1 UVA2 coverage saturated
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Allergens
Low
70
- +100 Starting score
- β18 Fragrance
- β12 Opaque "Fragrance", hidden allergens that can't be checked from the label
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White cast
Low
75
- +100 Starting score
- β6 Zinc Oxide, 1.9% declared
- β35 Titanium Dioxide, 11% declared
- β10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- β8 Pure mineral formula (12.9% total declared)
- +29.5 Iron-oxide undertone, partial masking
- +4.4 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Methicone)
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Eye sting
Low
98
- +100 Starting score
- β8 Fragrance
- +6 Mineral filter system, low-sting filters
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Heavy feel
High
17
- +100 Starting score
- β8 Zinc Oxide, 1.9% declared
- β20 Titanium Dioxide, 11% declared
- β12 Polyethylene at #6, wax film
- β6 Microcrystalline Wax at #10, wax film
- β5 Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit at #12, butter/occlusive fat
- β10 Both minerals in the top 3, dual mineral paste
- β10 Mineral suspended in a dense emollient base (basic)
- β12 Stick/balm format with a wax skeleton
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Fungal acne
Low
77
- +100 Starting score
- β23 2 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit, Lecithin)
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Fabric stains
Medium
40
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Iron-oxide pigments at #32, 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 6 3 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Polymethyl Methacrylate)
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
- β 2 Titanium Dioxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
- β 2 1 emollient lipids (Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit)
- β 2 Light emollient/solvent (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride)
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Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 5 3 sebum-absorbing powders (Polymethyl Methacrylate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Silica)
- β 9 2 emollient lipids (Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
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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 8 Powder overload over a film former, some pilling risk
- β 8 Occlusives/waxes float the foundation
- β 7.5 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation (tinted)
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Water resistance
Resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +7 1 film-forming polymers that lock the formula on for water resistance
- +11 2 water-locking waxes
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 35 11% declared
- β 20 11% 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 6 1.9% declared
- β 8 1.9% declared
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 2 β nourishing light emollient
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 12 wax film
- β 7 wax water lock
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 6 β dewy emollient lipid
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Supporting ingredient
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Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
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Occlusive, seals moisture into the skin
- β 6 wax film
- β 4 wax water lock
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Film former, locks the formula onto skin for water resistance
- β 7 film former
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Botanical extract
- β 5 butter/occlusive fat
- 2 β nourishing emollient lipid
- 3 β dewy emollient lipid
- β 14 feeds malassezia
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Colorant or pigment
-
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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Film former, locks the formula onto skin for water resistance
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16 Silica
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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17 Fragrance
Fragrance
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Plant oil, an emollient
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Plant oil, an emollient
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Supporting ingredient
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23 Methicone
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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24 Curcumin
Supporting ingredient
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25 Citric Acid
pH adjuster
-
26 BHT
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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28 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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29 Lecithin
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Botanical extract
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31 Carmine
Supporting ingredient
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32 Iron Oxides
Colorant or pigment
- β 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
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33 Mica
Colorant or pigment
Is the Physicians Formula Multicolor Stick mineral or chemical?
It is a pure mineral sunscreen, using Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. There are no chemical UV filters in the formula.
What SPF is the Physicians Formula Natural Defense Triple Defense Multicolor Stick SPF 20?
It is SPF 20. That suits lower-exposure days and touch-ups more than long stretches in strong sun.
Does it work under makeup?
Not especially well. It rates as a poor makeup base and the stick format tends to feel heavier on skin, though white cast stays low and it does not commonly sting.