Mario Badescu MINERAL SUNSCREEN SPF 30
Works for
0 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 1 UV filter · Broad spectrumWeak protectionLow filter dose
This product uses a single UV filter (zinc oxide) in a relatively low concentration and might not be able to provide a reliable sun protection.
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.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 13 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, hyaluronic acid.
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: dimethicone, isododecane.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Physalis pubescens fruit juiceMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Physalis angulata extract~22–33%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hyaluronic acid~4.6–7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation
More about Hyaluronic acidZinc oxide~5–7.5%
- 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~3.6–5.4%
Isododecane~2.9–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
More about IsododecaneCaprylyl methicone~1.9–2.9%
- 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 methiconePropanediol~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolCoco-caprylate/caprate~1.2–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateGlycerin~0.95–1.45%
- 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 GlycerinCetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone~0.55–1.25%
- 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 dimethiconeMethyl dihydroabietate~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Methyl dihydroabietatePolyglyceryl-4 diisostearate/polyhydroxystearate/sebacate~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-4 diisostearate/polyhydroxystearate/sebacateZea mays starch~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Used to thicken the product's consistency
More about Zea mays starchDimethicone~0.4–0.95%
- 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 DimethiconeSea salt~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to thicken the product formulation and might help to add minerals to the surface of the skin. It is used in scrubs as a physical exfoliant. Can increase sensitivity to other ingredients if left on the skin or used in high concentration
More about Sea saltPhysalis pubescens fruit juice~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Yeast extract~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and skin lightening properties. It can help calm down inflammation in skin
More about Yeast extractHyaluronic acid~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation
More about Hyaluronic acidLycium chinense fruit extract~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Vaccinium angustifolium fruit extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract tha can have anti-oxidant properties, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking
More about Vaccinium angustifolium fruit extractVaccinium macrocarpon fruit extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A berry extract. Might have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Vaccinium macrocarpon fruit extractTocopherol~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 TocopherolPentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to increase stability of product formulations
More about Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamatePolyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleatePhenoxyethanol~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolDisteardimonium hectorite~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of clay that is used to thicken the product consistency
More about Disteardimonium hectoriteZinc stearate~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
1,2-hexanediol~0.01–0.1%
Caprylyl glycol~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCaprylic/capric triglyceride~0.1–0.35%
- 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 triglycerideIsostearic acid~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture
More about Isostearic acidPropylene carbonate~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to dissolve other ingredients and create nice product texture
More about Propylene carbonateSodium gluconate~0.01–0.05%
Ingredient list view
Physalis angulata extract, Hyaluronic acid, Unknown, Zinc oxide, Water, Isododecane, Caprylyl methicone, Propanediol, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Glycerin, Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone, Methyl dihydroabietate, Polyglyceryl-4 diisostearate/polyhydroxystearate/sebacate, Zea mays starch, Dimethicone, Sea salt, Physalis pubescens fruit juice, Yeast extract, Hyaluronic acid, Lycium chinense fruit extract, Vaccinium angustifolium fruit extract, Vaccinium macrocarpon fruit extract, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, Phenoxyethanol, Disteardimonium hectorite, Zinc stearate, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Isostearic acid, Propylene carbonate, Sodium gluconate
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Product summary
We are worried that "Mario Badescu - MINERAL SUNSCREEN SPF 30" might not be able to provide reliable sun protection because it uses a single UV filter (zinc oxide) in a relatively weak concentration.
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream.
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 contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen 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.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Mario Badescu" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 28.00$ 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 18 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Efficacy of a New Topical Nano-hyaluronic Acid in Humansncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Physiochemical properties and application of hyaluronic acid: a systematic reviewonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 3A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.