Physicians Formula The Healthy Powder Spf 16
76/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
The Physicians Formula The Healthy Powder SPF 16 is a pure mineral setting powder using titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. It has a matte finish with a medium, moderately noticeable cast and a heavier feel typical of mineral powders. It is rated good for protection, though SPF 16 from a powder is best as a top-up rather than primary sun cover. With a score of 75.9/100 it is a solid mineral powder for those who want a mattifying, fully mineral finishing product.
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
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
91
- +100 Starting score
- β9 Retinyl Palmitate at #12, disputed vitamin-A sunlight signal, under review
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White cast
Medium
58
- +100 Starting score
- β55 Zinc Oxide at #2
- β50 Titanium Dioxide at #1
- β10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- β2 Titanium Dioxide as pigment (CI 77891) at #26
- β15 Pure mineral formula
- +32 Penalties exceed the scale, floored at 0
- +50 Iron-oxide undertone, partial masking
- +7.5 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide)
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Heavy feel
High
20
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Zinc Oxide at #2
- β30 Titanium Dioxide at #1
- β10 Both minerals in the top 3, dual mineral paste
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Fabric stains
Medium
40
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Iron-oxide pigments at #25, 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 18 4 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Kaolin, Lauroyl Lysine, β¦)
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
- β 2 Titanium Dioxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
- β 4 Sodium Hyaluronate at #10, hyaluronic family
- β 4 1 emollient lipids (Squalane)
β¨
Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- β 18 4 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Kaolin, Boron Nitride, β¦)
- β 6 1 emollient lipids (Squalane)
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Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 7.5 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation (tinted)
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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¨ Vitamin C
- β¨ Vitamin E
Full ingredient list (26)
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 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)
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
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3 Mica
Colorant or pigment
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4 Squalane
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 4 β nourishing emollient lipid
- 6 β dewy emollient lipid
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5 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 6 sebum-absorbing powder
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6 Kaolin
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 6 sebum-absorbing powder
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Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 6 sebum-absorbing powder
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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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Botanical extract
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 4 β nourishing hyaluronic family
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 9 disputed vitamin-A sunlight signal, under review
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13 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Supporting ingredient
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19 O-Cymen-5-Ol
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
20 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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21 Propanediol
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Colorant or pigment
-
23 Tin Oxide
Colorant or pigment
-
Supporting ingredient
-
25 Iron Oxides
Colorant or pigment
- β 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
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Colorant or pigment
Is the Physicians Formula Healthy Powder good for oily skin?
It has a matte finish and breakout risk is rated low, which suits oily skin, though the feel is on the heavier side for a powder. It is rated okay as a makeup base. It can help control shine.
Is the Physicians Formula The Healthy Powder Spf 16 mineral or chemical?
It is pure mineral, using titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. There are no chemical filters. As a powder, it pairs well with a separate base sunscreen.
Is SPF 16 from a powder enough?
SPF 16 from a powder is best as a top-up over other protection rather than your only sunscreen. Protection is rated good for its type and it scores 75.9/100. For full cover, apply a base sunscreen first.