Koa Invisible Face Mineral Sunscreen
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 45 · 2 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-blemishNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, AllantoinWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Anti-agingSide benefit the brand mentions · Niacinamide, TocopherolWorks well
“Vitamin B-3 and wild chamomile provide anti-aging benefits while Non-Nano Zinc Oxide blocks UVA+UVB rays.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
This product can also 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.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, C12-15 alkyl benzoate + 9 moreWorks well
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: dimethicone, octyldodecyl neopentanoate.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · NiacinamideWorks well
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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
1 of 1 community members would buy it again.
I love this as a daily SPF under my tinted moisturizer. It has a dewy finish, isn't greasy, and doesn't irritate my dry, sensitive skin. I find it reasonably hydrating. It has a slight white cast that is covered easily by my tinted moisturizer (there is also a tinted version, however, for darker skin tones). It dries down quickly and doesn't pill. It's fragrance-free, vegan, and cruelty-free. I have been using it for over a year. It is a holy grail product for me.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Zinc oxide12%
- 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 oxideWater~45–55%
C12-15 alkyl benzoate~7.1–8.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoateButyloctyl salicylate~5.3–6.4%
- 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 salicylateIsododecane~3.3–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
More about IsododecaneLauryl peg-8 dimethicone~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A type of silicone that helps water and oil mix together
More about Lauryl peg-8 dimethiconePolymethylsilsesquioxane~2–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that improves product texture and helps dissolve other ingredients. Can form a non-greasy film on the skin to prevent moisture loss
More about PolymethylsilsesquioxanePropanediol~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolOctyldodecyl neopentanoate~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Often used to stabilize other ingredients, for example, sunscreen
More about Octyldodecyl neopentanoateC15-19 alkane~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about C15-19 alkaneCaprylyl methicone~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish on the skin
More about Caprylyl methiconeNiacinamide~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideLauryl peg-10 tris(trimethylsiloxy)silylethyl dimethicone~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dimethicone~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeDimethicone crosspolymer~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product texture. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might be able to prevent moisture loss from its surface
More about Dimethicone crosspolymerTrilaureth-4 phosphate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Trilaureth-4 phosphateAllantoin~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinBisabolol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololTocopherol~0.2–0.35%
- 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 TocopherolSodium chloride~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chloridePhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolTetrasodium glutamate diacetate~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Tetrasodium glutamate diacetatePeg-10~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Zinc oxide, Water, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Butyloctyl salicylate, Isododecane, Lauryl peg-8 dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Propanediol, Octyldodecyl neopentanoate, C15-19 alkane, Caprylyl methicone, Niacinamide, Lauryl peg-10 tris(trimethylsiloxy)silylethyl dimethicone, Dimethicone, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Trilaureth-4 phosphate, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Sodium chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, Peg-10
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.
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.
| KoaInvisible Face Mineral SunscreenYOUR PRODUCT | CetaphilSheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 | ColorescienceSunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield SPF50 | Tatcha US DEVThe Silk Sunscreen SPF 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 98% | 98% | 92% |
| Price | — | $12.59 | $31.99 | $64.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 8 of 9 | 6 of 9 | 7 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | — | Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol | Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 45 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Glytone Age Defense UV Mineral Sunscreen Serum Broad Spectrum SPF 50+Skincare by Dr V InZincable SPF 50
Product summary
We assess that "Koa - Invisible Face Mineral 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).
This sunscreen should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
Sunscreen filters
This is a "mixed" sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") sun filters. The organic filters in the product are: butyloctyl salicylate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses 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 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.
What our users say
Based on 1 review 100% recommend this product- When it comes to comedogenicity, the reviewer found that it does not clog pores.
- As for the white cast, the reviewer reported a noticeable whitish residue.
- When it comes to using this sunscreen under makeup, the user found that it pills under a foundation.
- As for using this sunscreen in the eye area, the reviewer reported that it does not sting eyes.
Price
The product retails for 29.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.