tulus Zinc Defense Lotion SPF 30 PA++++
73/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
tulus Zinc Defense Lotion SPF 30 PA++++ is a pure mineral lotion built on Zinc Oxide. It wears matte and lightweight with low stinging and low pore-clogging, though as a mineral formula it can leave a moderate white cast. Protection is rated moderate, and with a score of 72.6/100 it is a solid everyday mineral choice for those who prefer a zinc-only formula.
Ingredient & SPF scores
☀️
UV protection
Moderate
44
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +3 Label claims (SPF 30, PA rating)
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White cast
Medium
41
- +100 Starting score
- −55 Zinc Oxide at #2
- −15 Pure mineral formula
- +7 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
- +4.4 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane)
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Heavy feel
Low
68
- +100 Starting score
- −40 Zinc Oxide at #2
- −3 Trimethylsiloxysilicate at #8, silicone wax film
- +10.8 Volatile silicone at #3, flashes off
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Fungal acne
Medium
53
- +100 Starting score
- −24 2 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate)
- −23 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate)
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Fabric stains
Low
85
- +100 Starting score
- −15 Zinc Oxide at #2, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
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Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- ← 6.5 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer)
- ← 10 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- ← 5 Zinc Oxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
✨
Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- ← 7 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer)
- ← 9 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- ← 4 2 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylyl Methicone)
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Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- → 8 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- → 1 Quick-setting carrier, fast, even canvas
- → 4 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- → 4 Transfer-resistant grip resin, holds makeup
- ← 0.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate)
- ← 15 High mineral load at #2 greys under foundation
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Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +3 1 film-forming polymers that lock the formula on for water resistance
- +4 1 water-locking waxes
Full ingredient list (27)
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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1 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- ↑ 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- ↑ 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light ← 5 mild sebum absorbent
- pills ← 15 High mineral load greys under foundation
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Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
- light ← 8 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte ← 7 volatile carrier, flashes off
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte ← 2 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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6 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light ← 5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte ← 6 sebum-absorbing powder
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte ← 2 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Film former, locks the formula onto skin for water resistance
- ↑ 3 silicone wax film
- ↑ 4 wax water lock
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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10 Propanediol
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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11 Isododecane
Volatile hydrocarbon, flashes off for a light finish
- light ← 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte ← 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 14 feeds malassezia
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- ↑ 3 film former
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Supporting ingredient
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 9 feeds malassezia
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light ← 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte ← 1 sebum-absorbing powder
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 12 feeds malassezia
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 12 feeds malassezia
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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27 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
Does tulus Zinc Defense Lotion leave a white cast?
It can leave a moderate cast. It is a pure Zinc Oxide formula, so some white cast is possible, though it wears matte and lightweight.
Is tulus Zinc Defense Lotion mineral or chemical?
It is a pure mineral sunscreen. Zinc Oxide is its only UV filter.
Is tulus Zinc Defense Lotion SPF 30 good?
Yes, it is a solid everyday mineral choice. Protection is rated moderate and it scores 72.6/100, with low stinging and low pore-clogging.