Walgreens Clear Zinc Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Lotion
74/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Walgreens Clear Zinc Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Lotion pairs zinc oxide with octocrylene, so it reads as a hybrid mineral-chemical formula rather than a pure mineral one. It keeps a low white cast with a balanced finish, sits lightweight on skin, and is unlikely to sting, which makes daily wear easy. Breakout-trigger risk is rated low and it works okay under makeup. With good SPF 50 protection and a score of 73.5/100, it is a solid, no-fuss everyday option.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
59
- +16 Octocrylene at #1, UV filter
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
70
- +100 Starting score
- β30 Octocrylene at #1 (regulatory/evidence concern)
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Allergens
Low
97
- +100 Starting score
- β3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
π»
White cast
Low
87
- +100 Starting score
- β14 Zinc Oxide, 5% declared
- +1 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane)
π₯
Eye sting
Low
78
- +100 Starting score
- β22 Octocrylene at #1, migrates into eyes with sweat
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Heavy feel
Low
84
- +100 Starting score
- β8 Zinc Oxide, 5% declared
- β6 Cera Alba at #11, wax film
- β2 Hydrogenated Castor Oil at #14, butter/occlusive fat
π
Fungal acne
Medium
67
- +100 Starting score
- β9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Hydrogenated Castor Oil)
- β24 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate)
π
Fabric stains
Low
70
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Octocrylene at #1, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- β15 Zinc Oxide at #2, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
π§
Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 1.5 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 2 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 1 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 2 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 2 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Diisopropyl Adipate)
- β 4 1 slippy emollient esters (Ethylhexyl Stearate)
π
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 1 Quick-setting carrier, fast, even canvas
- β 2 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 2 Occlusives/waxes float the foundation
- β 15 High mineral load at #2 greys under foundation
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +4 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¨ Aloe vera
Full ingredient list (21)
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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Legacy UV filter (Octocrylene), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 16 UV protection
- β 22 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 15 co-stains alongside avobenzone
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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 5% declared
- β 8 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
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3 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 4 β dewy slippy emollient ester
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 2 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 24 feeds malassezia
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Volatile hydrocarbon, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
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11 Cera Alba
Occlusive, seals moisture into the skin
- β 6 wax film
- β 4 wax water lock
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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13 Dimethicone
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Plant oil, an emollient
- β 2 butter/occlusive fat
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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15 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
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Supporting ingredient
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
Does Walgreens Clear Zinc SPF 50 leave a white cast?
White cast is rated low, so it generally wears clear despite the zinc oxide. The finish is balanced and the lotion feels lightweight on skin.
Is the Walgreens Clear Zinc Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Lotion mineral or chemical?
It is a hybrid. It pairs the mineral filter zinc oxide with the chemical filter octocrylene rather than being purely mineral.
Is it good for acne-prone skin?
Pore-clogging risk is rated low, which is generally favorable for acne-prone skin. The balanced finish and lightweight feel also help for daily wear.