SkinMedica Daily Physical Defense Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
83/100 overall score
Sign in to see this product's score for your skin.
About this sunscreen
SkinMedica Daily Physical Defense Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 is a pure mineral lotion using titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. It wears with a balanced finish, feels lightweight, and shows a medium level of white cast, which is typical for an all-mineral formula. It is generally low on pore-clogging risk, does not commonly sting, and is rated as a good makeup base. With a strong score of 83.3/100 and good protection, it is a reliable daily mineral sunscreen for everyday wear.
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)
π»
White cast
Medium
54
- +100 Starting score
- β14 Zinc Oxide, 6% declared
- β18 Titanium Dioxide, 5% declared
- β10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- β8 Pure mineral formula (11% total declared)
- +3.5 Coated minerals (Aluminum Hydroxide)
πͺ¨
Heavy feel
Low
79
- +100 Starting score
- β8 Zinc Oxide, 6% declared
- β10 Titanium Dioxide, 5% declared
- β10 Both minerals in the top 3, dual mineral paste
- +7 Volatile silicone at #4, flashes off
π
Fungal acne
Safe
98
- +100 Starting score
- β2 1 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
π
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
π§
Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 5 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 1 Humectant polyols
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 4 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
π
Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 8 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 12 2 velvet elastomer fillers, blur and grip
- β 15 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance βFull ingredient list (19)
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.
-
Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 33 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 18 5% declared
- β 10 5% declared
- β 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light β 2 mild sebum absorbent
- pills β 15 High mineral load greys under foundation
-
Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 14 6% declared
- β 8 6% declared
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
-
3 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 5 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 4 volatile carrier, flashes off
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant polyol
-
Supporting ingredient
-
9 Caffeine
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Botanical extract
-
pH adjuster
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
17 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
Is SkinMedica Daily Physical Defense mineral or chemical?
It is a pure mineral lotion. The UV filters are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, with no chemical filters.
Does the SkinMedica Daily Physical Defense Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 leave a white cast?
White cast is rated medium, which is typical for an all-mineral formula. It wears with a balanced finish.
Is it a good sunscreen?
It scores 83.3/100, a strong result, with good protection. It is also rated a good makeup base, making it reliable for everyday wear.