Vanicream Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ (2021 Reformulation)
73/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Vanicream Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ (2021 Reformulation) is a pure mineral sunscreen using zinc oxide as its only UV filter. It has a dewy finish, wears lightweight, keeps white cast low and does not sting, which makes it generally friendly for sensitive and breakout-prone skin given its low pore-clogging profile. It serves as an okay base under makeup. Protection is rated moderate and the score is 73.3/100, a gentle mineral choice for reactive skin.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Moderate
43
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
π»
White cast
Low
64
- +100 Starting score
- β28 Zinc Oxide, 12% declared
- β8 Pure mineral formula (12% total declared)
πͺ¨
Heavy feel
Low
80
- +100 Starting score
- β18 Zinc Oxide, 12% declared
- β2 Tribehenin at #21, wax film
π΄
Comedogenic
Low
93
- +100 Starting score
- β7 Isopropyl Isostearate at #11, heavy comedogenic ester
π
Fungal acne
High
36
- +100 Starting score
- β14 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Lecithin)
- β50 4 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Glyceryl Behenate, Glyceryl Dibehenate, Glyceryl Stearate)
π
Fabric stains
Low
85
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Zinc Oxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
π§
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 1.5 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica Silylate)
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
- β 1 1 emollient lipids (Squalane)
β¨
Finish
Dewy
MatteDewy
- β 1 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica Silylate)
- β 7 2 emollient lipids (Squalane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
- β 2 1 slippy emollient esters (Isopropyl Isostearate)
π
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 2 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 4 Transfer-resistant grip resin, holds makeup
- β 15 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +3 1 film-forming polymers that lock the formula on for water resistance
- +2 1 water-locking waxes
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.
- β¨ Allantoin
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 (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 28 12% declared
- β 18 12% 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
-
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 6 β dewy emollient lipid
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 24 feeds malassezia
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 14 feeds malassezia
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 14 feeds malassezia
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 7 heavy comedogenic ester
- 2 β dewy slippy emollient ester
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12 Lecithin
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 14 feeds malassezia
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
15 Polyester-7
Film former, locks the formula onto skin for water resistance
- β 3 film former
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
17 Propanediol
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
20 Squalane
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 1 β nourishing emollient lipid
- 1 β dewy emollient lipid
-
21 Tribehenin
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 wax film
- β 2 wax water lock
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
23 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
Is Vanicream Sunscreen mineral or chemical?
It is a pure mineral sunscreen, using zinc oxide as its only UV filter with no chemical filters.
Is Vanicream Sunscreen good for sensitive skin?
It is generally a good fit for sensitive and reactive skin. It does not sting and is low on pore-clogging signals, with a lightweight, dewy feel.
Does Vanicream Sunscreen leave a white cast?
Its white cast is generally low for a mineral formula. It scores 73.3 out of 100 with moderate protection, a gentle option for reactive skin.