SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield Broad Spectrum Spf 35
84/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield is a broad-spectrum SPF 35 face sunscreen that uses a pure mineral filter system of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. It wears with a balanced finish and stays lightweight, with low white cast that is unusual for an all-mineral formula, so it generally layers well under makeup. It does not sting and is rated low for pore-clogging, which makes it commonly suitable for sensitive and breakout-prone skin. With a strong score of 84.2 and good UVA/UVB protection, it is a solid daily mineral pick.
Ingredient & SPF scores
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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 35)
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White cast
Low
79
- +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)
- +25 Iron-oxide undertone, partial masking
- +3.8 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide)
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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
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Fungal acne
Safe
98
- +100 Starting score
- β2 1 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
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Fabric stains
Medium
40
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Iron-oxide pigments at #23, 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 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
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Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 4 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
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Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 8 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 12 2 velvet elastomer fillers, blur and grip
- β 7.5 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation (tinted)
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Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance βSkincare extras
Beneficial actives this formula contains. Informational only, not part of the rating: their effect depends on a concentration the label does not disclose.
- β¨ Vitamin E
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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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 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 14 6% declared
- β 8 6% declared
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
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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
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant polyol
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Supporting ingredient
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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12 Caffeine
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Botanical extract
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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pH adjuster
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Supporting ingredient
-
20 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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23 Iron Oxides
Colorant or pigment
- β 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
Does SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield leave a white cast?
White cast is rated low, which is notable for an all-mineral sunscreen. The titanium dioxide and zinc oxide blend is tuned to sit fairly invisibly, so most people will not see a visible film. As always with mineral formulas, deeper skin tones may still notice a slight tone shift.
Is the SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield Broad Spectrum Spf 35 good for oily or acne-prone skin?
It is generally a reasonable fit. The finish is balanced rather than matte, and it is rated low for pore-clogging, so it is commonly well tolerated by breakout-prone skin. It also does not sting, which helps on sensitive, reactive skin.
Is this sunscreen mineral or chemical?
It is a pure mineral sunscreen. Protection comes entirely from titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, with no chemical UV filters in the formula.