SkinCeuticals Physical UV Defense SPF 30
77/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
SkinCeuticals Physical UV Defense SPF 30 is a 100% mineral sunscreen combining titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. As a pure mineral formula it can leave a visible white cast and feels heavier on the skin, with a balanced finish and low sting risk. It is low on pore-clogging concern but only okay under makeup. At 76.7/100 with good protection, it is a sturdy mineral choice best for those who do not mind a richer feel.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
74
- +33 Titanium Dioxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +5)
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- β1 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +1 Label claims (SPF 30)
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White cast
High
24
- +100 Starting score
- β55 Zinc Oxide at #2
- β50 Titanium Dioxide at #1
- β10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- β15 Pure mineral formula
- +30 Penalties exceed the scale, floored at 0
- +10 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
- +13.5 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Alumina)
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Heavy feel
High
18
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Zinc Oxide at #2
- β30 Titanium Dioxide at #1
- β2 Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit at #13, butter/occlusive fat
- β10 Both minerals in the top 3, dual mineral paste
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Fungal acne
Medium
73
- +100 Starting score
- β9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit)
- β18 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, PEG-8 Laurate)
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Fabric stains
Low
80
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Titanium Dioxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- β5 Both minerals present, heavier deposit
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Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 3 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Nylon-12, Talc)
- β 3 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
- β 10 Glycerin at #4, the anchor humectant
- β 2 Sodium Hyaluronate at #35, hyaluronic family
- β 1 1 emollient lipids (Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit)
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Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 2 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Talc, Nylon-12)
- β 3 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 7 2 emollient lipids (Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
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Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 3 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 8 1 velvet elastomer fillers, blur and grip
- β 1 Quick-setting carrier, fast, even canvas
- β 2 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 1.5 Humectant syrup tackiness (partly offset by the base)
- β 15 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation
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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 (35)
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 15 High mineral load greys under foundation
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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 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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4 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 10 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 6 β dewy emollient lipid
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
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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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 7 film former
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Botanical extract
- β 2 butter/occlusive fat
- 1 β nourishing emollient lipid
- 1 β dewy emollient lipid
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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14 Isododecane
Volatile hydrocarbon, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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16 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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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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18 Nylon-12
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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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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23 Alumina
Supporting ingredient
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Supporting ingredient
-
30 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Supporting ingredient
-
Botanical extract
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33 Benzoic Acid
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 β nourishing hyaluronic family
Does SkinCeuticals Physical UV Defense leave a white cast?
It can leave a visible white cast, which is common for a 100% mineral sunscreen using titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Blending it in thoroughly helps.
Is the SkinCeuticals Physical UV Defense SPF 30 mineral or chemical?
It is a 100% mineral (physical) sunscreen, combining titanium dioxide and zinc oxide with no chemical UV filters.
Is SkinCeuticals Physical UV Defense SPF 30 a good sunscreen?
Yes, it scores 76.7/100 with good protection. It is a sturdy mineral choice, though it feels heavier on the skin, so it best suits those who do not mind a richer texture.