SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield™ Broad-Spectrum Spf 32 - Tinted
85/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield Broad-Spectrum Spf 32 Tinted is a pure mineral sunscreen using Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, with a tint that commonly helps offset white cast. The finish is balanced and lightweight, and it is reported to have low white cast despite being mineral. It works well under makeup and is low risk for breakouts. With a score of 84.9/100 and good protection, it is a strong mineral pick for sensitive skin.
Ingredient & SPF scores
☀️
UV protection
Good
74
- +33 Titanium Dioxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +5)
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- −1 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +1 Label claims (SPF 32)
👻
White cast
Low
87
- +100 Starting score
- −14 Zinc Oxide, 6% declared
- −18 Titanium Dioxide, 5% declared
- −10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- −8 Pure mineral formula (11% total declared)
- +35 Tinted formula, pigment masks the cast
- +2.3 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide)
🪨
Heavy feel
Low
79
- +100 Starting score
- −8 Zinc Oxide, 6% declared
- −10 Titanium Dioxide, 5% declared
- −10 Both minerals in the top 3, dual mineral paste
- +7 Volatile silicone at #4, flashes off
🍄
Fungal acne
Safe
98
- +100 Starting score
- −2 1 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
👕
Fabric stains
Medium
40
- +100 Starting score
- −40 Iron-oxide pigments at #23, makeup-like collar marks (washable)
- −15 Titanium Dioxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- −5 Both minerals present, heavier deposit
💧
Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- ← 5 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- ← 5 Zinc Oxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
- ← 2 Titanium Dioxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
- → 1 Humectant polyols
✨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- ← 4 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
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Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- → 8 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- → 12 2 velvet elastomer fillers, blur and grip
- ← 7.5 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation (tinted)
🌊
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance →Skincare extras
Beneficial actives this formula contains. Informational only, not part of the rating: their effect depends on a concentration the label does not disclose.
- ✨ Vitamin E
Full ingredient list (23)
What each ingredient does and how it moves each rating: green helps, red hurts, ↑ / ↓ give the direction, and ← / → 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
- ↑ 33 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- ↑ 18 5% declared
- ↑ 10 5% declared
- ↑ 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light ← 2 mild sebum absorbent
- pills ← 7.5 High mineral load greys under foundation (tinted)
-
Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- ↑ 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- ↑ 14 6% declared
- ↑ 8 6% declared
- light ← 5 mild sebum absorbent
-
3 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
- light ← 5 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte ← 4 volatile carrier, flashes off
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 → nourishing humectant polyol
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
12 Caffeine
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Botanical extract
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
pH adjuster
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Supporting ingredient
-
20 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- ↑ 2 minor malassezia feeder
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
23 Iron Oxides
Colorant or pigment
- ↑ 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
Is SkinMedica Essential Defense mineral or chemical?
It is a pure mineral, tinted sunscreen using Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, a common choice for sensitive skin.
Does the SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield™ Broad-Spectrum Spf 32 - Tinted leave a white cast?
White cast is rated low here. The tint commonly helps offset the typical mineral cast, so it tends to blend more naturally than untinted mineral formulas.
Is it good under makeup?
Yes. It works well as a makeup base and is low risk for clogging pores, and at 84.9/100 with good protection it is a strong mineral pick.