SkinCeuticals Mineral Matte Uv Defense Spf 30
49/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
SkinCeuticals Mineral Matte Uv Defense SPF 30 is a pure mineral sunscreen using titanium dioxide as its only filter. It wears lightweight with a balanced finish, keeps white cast low, and does not commonly sting the eyes, so it suits sensitive skin and layers well under makeup. Its low breakout-trigger reading is a plus for oily and acne-prone skin. Protection is rated weak and the score lands at 49.0/100, so it is better as a light daily addition than as standalone sun defense.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Weak
21
- +33 Titanium Dioxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +5)
- Γ0.6 Almost no UVA1, poor aging protection
- +1 Label claims (SPF 30)
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White cast
Low
85
- +100 Starting score
- β25 Titanium Dioxide at #2 (nano)
- β15 Pure mineral formula
- +20 Iron-oxide undertone, partial masking
- +2 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
- +2.7 Coated minerals (Alumina, Aluminum Hydroxide)
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Heavy feel
Low
75
- +100 Starting score
- β30 Titanium Dioxide at #2
- +4.5 Volatile hydrocarbon at #7, flashes off
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Comedogenic
Low
98
- +100 Starting score
- β2 Laureth-4 at #21, comedogenic oil/butter
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Fungal acne
Medium
68
- +100 Starting score
- β27 3 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (PEG-8 Laurate, Laureth-4, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate)
- β5 1 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
- +0 Dimethicone at #1, a safe base that does not feed Malassezia
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Fabric stains
Medium
45
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Iron-oxide pigments at #12, makeup-like collar marks (washable)
- β15 Titanium Dioxide at #2, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
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Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 1.5 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica Silylate)
- β 4 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 2 Titanium Dioxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
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Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 1 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica Silylate)
- β 4 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 2 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Dicaprylyl Ether)
- β 9 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
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Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 4 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 8 1 velvet elastomer fillers, blur and grip
- β 3 Quick-setting carrier, fast, even canvas
- β 3 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 3.8 High mineral load at #2 greys under foundation (tinted) (nano)
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Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +7 1 film-forming polymers that lock the formula on for water resistance
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.
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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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 3.8 High mineral load greys under foundation (tinted) (nano)
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 9 β dewy emollient lipid
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 2 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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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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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 7 film former
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Plant oil, an emollient
-
Supporting ingredient
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11 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 5 minor malassezia feeder
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12 Ci 77491
Colorant or pigment
- β 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
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13 Ci 77492
Colorant or pigment
-
14 Ci 77499
Colorant or pigment
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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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 Alumina
Supporting ingredient
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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20 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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21 Laureth-4
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 2 comedogenic oil/butter
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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23 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
Is SkinCeuticals Mineral Matte mineral or chemical?
It is a pure mineral sunscreen, using titanium dioxide as its only filter. That makes it generally suitable for sensitive skin.
Does the SkinCeuticals Mineral Matte Uv Defense Spf 30 leave a white cast?
White cast is rated low and the finish is balanced, so despite being mineral it generally applies without a heavy film. It also does not commonly sting the eyes.
Is it good enough as my main sunscreen?
Protection is rated weak and the score is 49.0/100, so it is better used as a light daily layer that works under makeup than as standalone sun defense.