Mario Badescu Mineral Sunscreen SPF30
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 1 UV filter · Broad spectrumWeak protectionLow zinc 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.
Anti-agingHyaluronic acid, TocopherolNot delivered
“- Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate the skin and plump the look of fine lines.”
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.This ingredient - hyaluronic acid - could be helpful for preventing or repairing signs of aging in theory, but there is no evidence that it actually works.
The biggest anti-aging effect in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing early signs of skin aging. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Dimethicone, Coco-caprylate/caprate + 11 moreWorks
“Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 is moisturizing, hydrating and enriched with Antioxidants for a silky-soft, smooth finish.”
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
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
1,2-hexanediol~24–35%
Water~12–18%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~5.4–8.1%
- 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 triglycerideCaprylyl glycol~3.4–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCaprylyl methicone~2.6–4%
- 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 methiconeCetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone~1.9–2.8%
- 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 dimethiconeCoco-caprylate/caprate~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateDimethicone~1.5–2.2%
- 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 DimethiconeDisteardimonium hectorite~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of clay that is used to thicken the product consistency
More about Disteardimonium hectoriteGlycerin~1.1–1.6%
- 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 GlycerinHyaluronic acid~0.8–1.25%
- 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 acidIsododecane~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
More about IsododecaneIsostearic acid~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture
More about Isostearic acidLycium chinense fruit extract~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Methyl dihydroabietate~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Methyl dihydroabietatePentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to increase stability of product formulations
More about Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamatePhenoxyethanol~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPhysalis pubescens fruit juice~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleatePolyglyceryl-4 diisostearate/polyhydroxystearate/sebacate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-4 diisostearate/polyhydroxystearate/sebacatePropanediol~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolPropylene carbonate~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to dissolve other ingredients and create nice product texture
More about Propylene carbonateSodium chloride~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideSodium gluconate~0.15–0.7%
Tocopherol~0.15–0.7%
- 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 TocopherolVaccinium angustifolium fruit extract~0.1–0.45%
- 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~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A berry extract. Might have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Vaccinium macrocarpon fruit extractYeast extract~0.1–0.45%
- 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 extractZea mays starch~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Used to thicken the product's consistency
More about Zea mays starchZinc oxide~0.1–0.4%
- 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 oxideZinc stearate~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
1,2-hexanediol, Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Caprylyl glycol, Caprylyl methicone, Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Dimethicone, Disteardimonium hectorite, Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid, Isododecane, Isostearic acid, Lycium chinense fruit extract, Methyl dihydroabietate, Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phenoxyethanol, Physalis pubescens fruit juice, Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, Polyglyceryl-4 diisostearate/polyhydroxystearate/sebacate, Propanediol, Propylene carbonate, Sodium chloride, Sodium gluconate, Tocopherol, Vaccinium angustifolium fruit extract, Vaccinium macrocarpon fruit extract, Yeast extract, Zea mays starch, Zinc oxide, Zinc stearate
Compare prices
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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.
| Mario BadescuMineral Sunscreen SPF30YOUR PRODUCT | Skin Resource.MDEssential Solar Protector - Moisturizing Sunscreen - SPF47 | The INKEY List CASPF30 Sunscreen 100% Mineral UV Filters | SkinCeuticalsPhysical UV Defense SPF 30 Mineral sunscreen for sensitive skin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 40% | 39% | 38% |
| Price | $28.00 | — | $20.01−$7.99 | $34.99+$6.99 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Cyclopentasiloxane | Panthenol | Artemia Extract |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 47 | SPF 30 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Shiseido D Program Allerbarrier Cream N SPF 30 PA+++Solara Suncare Daily Defense Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
Product summary
"Mario Badescu - Mineral Sunscreen SPF30" uses a single UV filter (zinc oxide) in a relatively low concentration and might not be able to provide reliable sun protection.
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream.
Sunscreen filters
It 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 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.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Mario Badescu" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 18 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 3
- 4Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 5
- 6Efficacy of a New Topical Nano-hyaluronic Acid in Humansncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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