Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 3 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
This sunscreen uses organic (so-called "chemical") sunscreen filters. Organic, or "chemical" filters usually provide reliable sun protection and rarely leave a white cast. Sunscreens with organic filters can sting eyes.
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
Anti-aging3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Broad spectrum SPF 30 reflects both UVA and UVB rays to help prevent sunburn and decrease the risk of skin cancer and early signs of aging due to sun exposure.”
This product can help prevent early signs of skin aging because it offers a good level of broad spectrum sun protection. Sun damage is the main cause of premature skin aging, and protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging strategy.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection. It means that it can prevent hyperpigmentation and help keep the skin tone even (sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 12 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, aloe barbadensis leaf juice.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: caprylic/capric triglyceride, glycine soja seed extract.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy9 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Titanium dioxide~26–39%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideAloe barbadensis leaf juice~4.7–7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceArachidyl alcohol~4–6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Arachidyl alcoholArachidyl glucoside~2.3–3.5%
Avena sativa kernel extract~1.8–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties
More about Avena sativa kernel extractBehenyl alcohol~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholButyloctyl salicylate~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A synthetic ester of salicylic acid that is used to help disperse pigments and boost effectiveness of sunscreen ingredients. It is able to absorb UV light (working as an organic, or chemical filter), but is not approved as a sunscreen ingredient on its own
More about Butyloctyl salicylateC30-38 olefin/isopropyl maleate/ma copolymer~1.1–1.6%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideCetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone~0.55–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps water and oil mix together. Can help to soften upper layer of the skin
More about Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethiconeCitric acid~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidEthylhexylglycerin~0.35–0.85%
Glycerin~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinGlyceryl stearate~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateGlycine soja seed extract~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Might be somewhat helpful in evening the skin tone.
More about Glycine soja seed extractMagnesium sulfate~0.2–0.8%
Neopentyl glycol diheptanoate~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Neopentyl glycol diheptanoatePhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPolysorbate 60~0.15–0.6%
Silica~0.2–0.8%
Simmondsia chinensis seed oil~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oilSorbitan tristearate~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan tristearateStearyl alcohol~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholStearyl/octyldodecyl citrate crosspolymer~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tocopherol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolVp/hexadecene copolymer~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates a nice product texture and can support water-resistance of sunscreens
More about Vp/hexadecene copolymerWater~0.1–0.35%
Titanium dioxide~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideZinc oxide10%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant
More about Zinc oxideAloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceArachidyl alcohol~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Arachidyl alcoholArachidyl glucoside~0.1–0.4%
Avena sativa kernel extract~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties
More about Avena sativa kernel extractBehenyl alcohol~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholButyloctyl salicylate~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A synthetic ester of salicylic acid that is used to help disperse pigments and boost effectiveness of sunscreen ingredients. It is able to absorb UV light (working as an organic, or chemical filter), but is not approved as a sunscreen ingredient on its own
More about Butyloctyl salicylateC30-38 olefin/isopropyl maleate/ma copolymer~0.1–0.4%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideCetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps water and oil mix together. Can help to soften upper layer of the skin
More about Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethiconeCitric acid~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidEthylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.35%
Glycerin~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinGlyceryl stearate~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateGlycine soja seed extract~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Might be somewhat helpful in evening the skin tone.
More about Glycine soja seed extractMagnesium sulfate~0.1–0.4%
Neopentyl glycol diheptanoate~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Neopentyl glycol diheptanoatePhenoxyethanol~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPolysorbate 60~0.1–0.45%
Silica~0.15–0.6%
Simmondsia chinensis seed oil~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oilSorbitan tristearate~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan tristearateStearyl alcohol~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholStearyl/octyldodecyl citrate crosspolymer~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tocopherol~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolVp/hexadecene copolymer~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates a nice product texture and can support water-resistance of sunscreens
More about Vp/hexadecene copolymerWater~0.01–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Titanium dioxide, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Arachidyl alcohol, Arachidyl glucoside, Avena sativa kernel extract, Behenyl alcohol, Butyloctyl salicylate, C30-38 olefin/isopropyl maleate/ma copolymer, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone, Citric acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Glyceryl stearate, Glycine soja seed extract, Magnesium sulfate, Neopentyl glycol diheptanoate, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 60, Silica, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Sorbitan tristearate, Stearyl alcohol, Stearyl/octyldodecyl citrate crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Vp/hexadecene copolymer, Water, Titanium dioxide, Unknown, Zinc oxide, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Arachidyl alcohol, Arachidyl glucoside, Avena sativa kernel extract, Behenyl alcohol, Butyloctyl salicylate, C30-38 olefin/isopropyl maleate/ma copolymer, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone, Citric acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Glyceryl stearate, Glycine soja seed extract, Magnesium sulfate, Neopentyl glycol diheptanoate, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 60, Silica, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Sorbitan tristearate, Stearyl alcohol, Stearyl/octyldodecyl citrate crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Vp/hexadecene copolymer, Water
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| CetaphilSheer Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30YOUR PRODUCT | AvèneVery High Protection Anti-Ageing SPF50+ Sun Cream for Sensitive Skin | BadgerSPF 35 Clear Zinc Sport Sunscreen Cream, Unscented each | Beauty by EarthMineral Sunscreen Stick - SPF 30 Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Lotion Stick Made with Organic Ingredients, Best Sun Protection Travel Sunscreen Face and Body, Reef Safe Sunscreen, Water Resistant | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 51% | 50% | 50% |
| Price | $8.28 | $17.53+$9.25 | $14.99+$6.71 | $17.99+$9.71 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 7 | 3 of 7 | 3 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Ascorbyl Glucoside | Beeswax | Beeswax |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 35 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
We believe that "Cetaphil - Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses a mixture of both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") UV filters. The organic filters in the product are: butyloctyl salicylate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
Irritation risk
This product does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this product to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Safety Assessment of Magnesium Sulfate as Used in Cosmeticsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4
- 5Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
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