Project Reef Mineral Suncreen SPF 30
67/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Project Reef Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 is a pure mineral formula based on Zinc Oxide. It has a dewy finish, leaves a medium white cast, and feels somewhat heavier on the skin, typical of all-mineral sunscreens. Pore-clogging risk is low and it does not commonly sting, but it is a poor makeup base. With moderate protection and a score of 66.9/100, it is a middle-of-the-road mineral option for those who do not need a makeup-friendly finish.
Ingredient & SPF scores
☀️
UV protection
Moderate
42
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +1 Label claims (SPF 30)
🤧
Allergens
Low
95
- +100 Starting score
- −1 1 declared fragrance allergens
- −4 Essential oils (Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil)
👻
White cast
Medium
37
- +100 Starting score
- −55 Zinc Oxide at #1
- −15 Pure mineral formula
- +7 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
🪨
Heavy feel
Medium
37
- +100 Starting score
- −40 Zinc Oxide at #1
- −10 Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit at #6, butter/occlusive fat
- −3 Coconut Oil at #11, heavy oil
- −10 Mineral suspended in a dense emollient base (basic)
🔴
Comedogenic
Low
93
- +100 Starting score
- −7 Coconut Oil at #11, comedogenic oil/butter
- +0 Algae Extract at #2, disputed rating, watch if acne-prone
🍄
Fungal acne
Medium
42
- +100 Starting score
- −47 3 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit)
- −9 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Glyceryl Stearate)
- −2 1 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
👕
Fabric stains
Low
85
- +100 Starting score
- −15 Zinc Oxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
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Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- ← 5 Zinc Oxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
- → 1 Glycerin at #16, the anchor humectant
- → 7 3 emollient lipids (Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit)
- → 1 Light emollient/solvent (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride)
✨
Finish
Dewy
MatteDewy
- → 10 3 emollient lipids (Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit, Coconut Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil)
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Makeup base
Poor
PillsPrimer
- ← 6 Occlusives/waxes float the foundation
- ← 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.
- ✨ Aloe vera
- ✨ Green tea
Full ingredient list (27)
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)
- ↑ 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light ← 5 mild sebum absorbent
- pills ← 15 High mineral load greys under foundation
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Botanical extract
-
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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4 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Botanical extract
- ↑ 10 butter/occlusive fat
- 4 → nourishing emollient lipid
- 6 → dewy emollient lipid
- ↑ 24 feeds malassezia
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Botanical extract
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 1 → nourishing light emollient
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pH adjuster
-
Plant oil, an emollient
-
11 Coconut Oil
Plant oil, an emollient
- ↑ 3 heavy oil
- ↑ 7 comedogenic oil/butter
- 2 → nourishing emollient lipid
- 3 → dewy emollient lipid
- ↑ 14 feeds malassezia
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Botanical extract
-
16 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 → nourishing the anchor humectant
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 9 feeds malassezia
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Botanical extract
- 1 → nourishing emollient lipid
- 1 → dewy emollient lipid
- ↑ 9 feeds malassezia
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Botanical extract
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
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24 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- ↑ 2 minor malassezia feeder
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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26 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
27 Propanediol
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
Is the Project Reef Mineral Suncreen SPF 30?
Yes, it is a pure mineral formula based on Zinc Oxide, with no chemical filters.
Does the Project Reef Mineral Suncreen SPF 30 leave a white cast?
It can leave a medium white cast, typical of all-mineral sunscreens, and has a dewy finish with a somewhat heavier feel.
Is it good?
It scores 66.9/100 with moderate protection, putting it mid-range. Pore-clogging risk is low and it does not commonly sting, but it is a poor makeup base.