Ethical Zinc

Ethical Zinc SPF50+ Daily Wear Light Sunscreen

Name: Ethical Zinc - SPF50+ Daily Wear Light Sunscreen
Brand: Ethical Zinc

SPF 50Efficacy90/100IrritancyLow·1 UV filter

See all ingredients In 1 routines

Edit

Works for

1 of 1 advertised claim delivered

Sun protection

SPF 50 · 1 UV filter

Broad spectrum

SPF 50Broad spectrumMineral filtersWater-resistant

This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.

It is a mineral sunscreen. In other words, it contains non-organic UV filters. It will probably not sting your eyes but might leave a white cast.

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.

UV spectrum

UVB290–320 nmUVA II320–340 nmUVA I340–400 nm

Zinc Oxide

FilterCoverageWhat it doesEst. amount

Zinc Oxide Mineral UVBUVA Photo-stable 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~39–59%

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels

Reef-safe

No oxybenzone or octinoxate — the two filters banned in Hawaii, Florida Keys and Aruba.

Anti-aging

Not advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claim

Strong support

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.

GluconolactoneUnder-dosedEffect: HighA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals~0.55–1.35%

Evens skin tone

Not advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claim

Strong 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).

Moisturizing

Not advertised by the brand · 5 ingredients credited for this claim

Good support

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin.

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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~2–3%

Cetearyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~1.5–2.3%

Coco-caprylate/caprateKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumHelps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture~4.5–6.7%

Octyldodecanol· EmollientEffect: LowAn emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation~2.6–3.9%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

5 flagged ingredients

Low risk

We flag 5 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.2–1.8%est.

Peg-30 dipolyhydroxystearateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.9–1.4%est.

GluconolactoneA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicalsMedium~0.55–1.35%est.

Cetearyl glucosideHelps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product textureMedium~0.1–0.35%est.

EdtaHelp to stabilize the product formulationMedium~0.05–0.15%est.

Comedogenic

1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale

1 flagged

These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.

IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount

Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~1.5–2.3%est.

Edit

Cheaper Alternatives

Similar formulations, better price

No cheaper similar product found.

User reviews

Would you recommend?

No community reviews yet.

Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.

Write a review · ~30s

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Zinc oxide~39–59%

UV filterKey active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Sun protection

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 oxide

Water~12–18%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Coco-caprylate/caprate~4.5–6.7%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture

More about Coco-caprylate/caprate

Octyldodecanol~2.6–3.9%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation

More about Octyldodecanol

Glycerin~2–3%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

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 Glycerin

Cetearyl alcohol~1.5–2.3%

Key activeComedogenic 2/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 2/5

Works for

CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

More about Cetearyl alcohol

Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate~1.2–1.8%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate

Peg-30 dipolyhydroxystearate~0.9–1.4%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Peg-30 dipolyhydroxystearate

Gluconolactone~0.55–1.35%

Under-dosedIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

ExfoliationEvens skin toneAnti-agingMoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-blemish

A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals

More about Gluconolactone

Isostearic acid~0.5–1.1%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

Used to create a nice product texture

More about Isostearic acid

Sodium chloride~0.3–0.75%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures

More about Sodium chloride

Sodium benzoate~0.15–0.5%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate

Cetearyl glucoside~0.1–0.35%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Cleansing

Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture

More about Cetearyl glucoside

Edta~0.05–0.15%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Help to stabilize the product formulation

More about Edta

Xanthan gum~0.05–0.2%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum

Ingredient list view

Zinc oxide, Water, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Octyldodecanol, Glycerin, Cetearyl alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, Peg-30 dipolyhydroxystearate, Gluconolactone, Isostearic acid, Sodium chloride, Sodium benzoate, Cetearyl glucoside, Edta, Xanthan gum

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

Ethical Zinc

Price unavailable

Check

Affiliate links · prices updated regularly

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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
	Ethical ZincSPF50+ Daily Wear Light SunscreenYOUR PRODUCT	Naked SundaysSPF50 + collagen glow	BABORProtect RX Mineral SPF30 Sunscreen	MCoBeautyMineral Mattifying Sunscreen SPF 50+
Match	—	65%	60%	56%
Price	$21.95	—	$49.00+$27.05	$35.00+$13.05
Shared key ingredients	—	3 of 3	3 of 3	3 of 3
Key difference	—	—	Bisabolol	—
Irritancy	Low	Low	Low	Low
SPF	SPF 50	SPF 50	SPF 30	SPF 50
Drying alcohol	—	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop

Cheaper alternatives? See how this stacks up against similar formulas.

We compare ingredient profiles across our catalog — pick the closest match for your budget.

Open dupe finder

Product summary

We assess that "Ethical Zinc - SPF50+ Daily Wear Light Sunscreen" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredient list. 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 should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.

Sunscreen filters

This product is a mineral sunscreen. It uses zinc oxide for sun protection. Zinc oxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.

Irritation risk

This product does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be low. 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.