MDSolarSciences MD Face Cream Mineral Beauty Balm SPF 50
Works for
3 of 4 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 4 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.
Evens skin tonePunica granatum extract, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate + 1 moreStrong evidence
“Caffeine and niacinamide help reduce discolorations and redness for a brighter, more even-toned look.”
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).
Anti-agingUbiquinone, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate + 1 moreStrong evidence
“This multifaceted mineral BB crème provides sheer coverage and anti-aging benefits in a luxurious whipped formula.”
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.
Anti-blemishNiacinamideWeak evidence
“won't clog pores.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Ubiquinone, Camellia sinensis extract + 5 moreStrong evidence
This product contains antioxidants (ubiquinone) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
The following ingredients - camellia sinensis extract, punica granatum extract also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Squalane, Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone + 5 moreGood evidence
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: caprylic/capric triglyceride, dimethicone.
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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy9 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Titanium dioxide2%
- 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 oxide17%
- 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 oxideDimethicone~23–34%
- 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~8.1–12.2%
- 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 crosspolymerCaprylic/capric triglyceride~6–9%
- 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 triglycerideGlyceryl isostearate~3.6–5.4%
Polyhydroxystearic acid~2.7–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidDimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer~2.4–3.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerSilica~2.3–3.4%
Butyloctyl salicylate~1.7–2.5%
- 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 salicylatePolysilicone-15~1.6–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A UV filter. Effective against UVB rays, but does not protect against the most aging UVA light
More about Polysilicone-15Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
More about Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbatePeg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone~0.85–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that mixes with water creating nice light-weight product texture
More about Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethiconeTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation
More about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneIron oxides~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear
More about Iron oxidesCaffeine~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
More about CaffeineNiacinamide~0.35–0.85%
- 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 NiacinamideUbiquinone~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Coenzyme Q10. It helps neutralize free radicals in skin, improves skin hydration and might be helpful agains fine lines and wrinkles. It can be an allergen
More about UbiquinoneTocopheryl acetate~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateSqualane~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneCamellia sinensis extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tea extract. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin
More about Camellia sinensis extractVaccinium macrocarpon fruit extract~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A berry extract. Might have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Vaccinium macrocarpon fruit extractPunica granatum extract~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin and even out the skin tone, but is typically used in products in a concentration that is too low to be effective
More about Punica granatum extractIngredient list view
Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, Dimethicone, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Glyceryl isostearate, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Silica, Butyloctyl salicylate, Polysilicone-15, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Iron oxides, Caffeine, Niacinamide, Ubiquinone, Tocopheryl acetate, Squalane, Camellia sinensis extract, Vaccinium macrocarpon fruit extract, Punica granatum extract
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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.
| MDSolarSciencesMD Face Cream Mineral Beauty Balm SPF 50YOUR PRODUCT | ACWELLSolar Defense Licorice Sun Cream | Relevant SkinOne & Done Everyday Cream with SPF 40 | SkinMedicaEssential Defense Mineral Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 35 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 72% | 72% | 71% |
| Price | $34.40 | $28.00−$6.40 | — | $40.00+$5.60 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 14 | 5 of 14 | 5 of 14 |
| Key difference | — | Adenosine | Bisabolol | A Type Of Green Tea Extract |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 40 | SPF 35 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
We believe that "MDSolarSciences - MD Face Cream Mineral Beauty Balm SPF 50" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
Sunscreen filters
This is a "mixed" sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") sun filters. Here are the organic filters this product uses: butyloctyl salicylate and polysilicone-15. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be low. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 7.70$ 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
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