Trader Joe's Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum Spf 40
66/100 overall score
Sign in to see this product's score for your skin.
About this sunscreen
Trader Joe's Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Lotion is a broad spectrum SPF 40 mineral formula using zinc oxide as its sole UV filter. It has a dewy finish with a medium white cast and a medium-weight feel, which is typical of single-filter mineral lotions. Breakout risk is low and it does not commonly sting, though it performs poorly under makeup. With moderate protection and a score of 65.5/100, it is a straightforward mineral choice better suited to standalone wear than layering.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Moderate
42
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +1 Label claims (SPF 40)
π»
White cast
Medium
37
- +100 Starting score
- β55 Zinc Oxide, 20.5% declared
- β15 Pure mineral formula (20.5% total declared)
- +7 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
πͺ¨
Heavy feel
Medium
60
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Zinc Oxide, 20.5% declared
π΄
Comedogenic
Low
67
- +100 Starting score
- β32 Isopropyl Palmitate at #3, heavy comedogenic ester
- β1 Glycine Soja Oil at #25, moderate comedogenic signal
π
Fungal acne
High
6
- +100 Starting score
- β30 1 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Sorbitan Laurate)
- β9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Glycine Soja Oil)
- β45 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Isopropyl Palmitate, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate)
- β10 2 different Malassezia-feeding families high in the list
- +0 Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil at #10, jojoba wax ester, fungal-acne exception (not penalized)
π
Fabric stains
Low
85
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Zinc Oxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
π§
Moisture
Hydrating
LightNourishing
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
- β 10 Glycerin at #6, the anchor humectant
- β 3 2 emollient lipids (Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil)
- β 2 Light emollient/solvent (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride)
β¨
Finish
Dewy
MatteDewy
- β 4 2 emollient lipids (Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil)
- β 6 1 slippy emollient esters (Isopropyl Palmitate)
π
Makeup base
Poor
PillsPrimer
- β 2 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer)
- β 3 Occlusives/waxes float the foundation
- β 3 Humectant syrup tackiness
- 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 (29)
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 (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 55 20.5% declared
- β 40 20.5% declared
- β 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
- pills β 15 High mineral load greys under foundation
-
2 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 32 heavy comedogenic ester
- 6 β dewy slippy emollient ester
- β 36 feeds malassezia
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 2 β nourishing light emollient
-
Supporting ingredient
-
6 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 10 β nourishing the anchor humectant
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 30 feeds malassezia
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Botanical extract
- 2 β nourishing emollient lipid
- 3 β dewy emollient lipid
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
15 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
Botanical extract
-
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
24 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Plant oil, an emollient
- β 1 moderate comedogenic signal
- 1 β nourishing emollient lipid
- 1 β dewy emollient lipid
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
Does Trader Joe's Zinc Oxide Sunscreen leave a white cast?
It leaves a medium white cast. As a zinc-only mineral lotion with a dewy finish, some cast is common, and it wears at a medium weight.
Is the Trader Joe's Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum Spf 40 mineral or chemical?
It is fully mineral, using zinc oxide as its only UV filter.
Can I wear it under makeup?
It is not ideal under makeup. It is rated poor as a makeup base, so it works best on its own. Breakout risk is low, so it is generally gentle for daily standalone wear.