SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50
85/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 is a pure mineral sunscreen built on Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, with a tint that helps blend the physical filters. It has a balanced finish and a low white cast for a mineral formula, stays lightweight, and generally does not sting. Breakout risk is low and it works well under makeup. With good protection and a score of 84.6/100, it is a refined mineral option for sensitive skin that wants minimal cast.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
75
- +33 Titanium Dioxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +5)
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- β1 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
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White cast
Low
84
- +100 Starting score
- β6 Zinc Oxide, 5.0% declared
- β18 Titanium Dioxide, 6.0% declared
- β10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- β8 Pure mineral formula (11% total declared)
- +21 Iron-oxide undertone, partial masking
- +2.1 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
- +2.8 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Alumina, Aluminum Hydroxide)
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Heavy feel
Low
76
- +100 Starting score
- β8 Zinc Oxide, 5.0% declared
- β10 Titanium Dioxide, 6.0% declared
- β10 Both minerals in the top 3, dual mineral paste
- +4.2 Volatile hydrocarbon at #5, flashes off
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Fungal acne
Low
82
- +100 Starting score
- β18 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (PEG-8 Laurate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate)
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Fabric stains
Medium
40
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Iron-oxide pigments at #29, 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, Nylon-12, Talc)
- β 6 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
- β 2 Titanium Dioxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
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Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 5 3 sebum-absorbing powders (Nylon-12, Silica, Talc)
- β 6 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 1 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Caprylyl Methicone)
- β 6 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
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Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 3 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 8 1 velvet elastomer fillers, blur and grip
- β 4 Quick-setting carrier, fast, even canvas
- β 3 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 7.5 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation (tinted)
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Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +3 1 film-forming polymers that lock the formula on for water resistance
Full ingredient list (39)
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 18 6.0% declared
- β 10 6.0% 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 5.0% declared
- β 8 5.0% declared
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
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3 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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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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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 6 β dewy emollient lipid
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7 Undecane
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Volatile hydrocarbon, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
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10 Nylon-12
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 3 film former
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15 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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16 Tridecane
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
19 Talc
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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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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24 Alumina
Supporting ingredient
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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29 Iron Oxides
Colorant or pigment
- β 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Supporting ingredient
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33 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Supporting ingredient
-
Botanical extract
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36 Benzoic Acid
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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37 PEG-9
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Supporting ingredient
Does the SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 leave a white cast?
White cast is low for a mineral formula, helped by a tint that blends with the skin. Built on Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, it settles to a balanced finish.
Is the SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 good for oily or acne-prone skin?
It can suit oily and acne-prone skin since breakout risk is rated low, with a balanced finish. It is lightweight and works well under makeup.
Is it mineral or chemical?
It is a pure mineral (physical) sunscreen using Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. With good protection and a score of 84.6/100, it is a refined mineral option for sensitive skin.