MDSolarSciences Mineral Sheer Tinted Stick SPF 30
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 3 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.
MoisturizingPetrolatum, Dimethicone + 7 moreWorks well
“Formulated with micronized non-nano zinc oxide for broad-spectrum mineral protection, plus shea butter, vitamin C, and vitamin E to nourish and smooth skin.”
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: butyrospermum parkii butter, caprylic/capric triglyceride.
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: petrolatum
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Butyrospermum parkii butter, Tocopherol + 1 moreWorks well
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.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateWorks 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?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Sorbitan sesquioleateMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Titanium dioxide8.1%
- 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 oxide6%
- 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 oxidePolyethylene~22–34%
Dimethicone~5.5–8.2%
- 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 DimethiconeButyloctyl salicylate~5.6–8.4%
- 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 salicylatePetrolatum~4–6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the most effective and the most studied occlusive ingredients that creates a protective layer on top of the skin preventing moisture loss
More about PetrolatumButyrospermum parkii butter~3–4.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterC12-15 alkyl benzoate~2.5–3.7%
- 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 benzoateCaprylic/capric triglyceride~2.3–3.4%
- 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 triglycerideMethyl dihydroabietate~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Methyl dihydroabietateAcrylates/ethylhexyl acrylate/dimethicone methacrylate copolymer~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octyldodecanol~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
More about OctyldodecanolTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~0.85–1.25%
- 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 ascorbateTocopherol~0.55–1.25%
- 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 TocopherolBehenyl olivate~0.5–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Aluminum hydroxide~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to add opaque (non-transparent) appearance to formulations. Can be used to coat other ingredients for even dispersion. This is a different ingredient compared to the ones used in antipersperants (aluminium chloride and aluminium chlorohydrate)
More about Aluminum hydroxideStearic acid~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidSorbitan sesquioleate~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used to help oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Sorbitan sesquioleateGlyceryl isostearate~0.4–0.9%
Polyhydroxystearic acid~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidBenzylidene dimethoxydimethylindanone~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sorbitan oleate~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan oleateIron oxides~0.15–0.5%
- 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 oxidesCi 77492~0.1–0.3%
Ci 77491~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A red colorant made of iron oxide. Typically is not irritating
More about Ci 77491Ci 77499~0.05–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, Polyethylene, Dimethicone, Butyloctyl salicylate, Petrolatum, Butyrospermum parkii butter, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Methyl dihydroabietate, Acrylates/ethylhexyl acrylate/dimethicone methacrylate copolymer, Octyldodecanol, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Tocopherol, Behenyl olivate, Aluminum hydroxide, Stearic acid, Sorbitan sesquioleate, Glyceryl isostearate, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Benzylidene dimethoxydimethylindanone, Sorbitan oleate, Iron oxides, Ci 77492, Ci 77491, Ci 77499
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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.
| MDSolarSciencesMineral Sheer Tinted Stick SPF 30YOUR PRODUCT | CliniquePep Start Daily UV Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 50 | EltaMDUV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF40 | NourishMaxTINTED MINERAL DEFENSE SUNSCREEN SPF 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 38% | 37% | 37% |
| Price | $24.00 | $23.00−$1.00 | $41.00+$17.00 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 9 | 3 of 9 | 6 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | — | Octinoxate | Knotgrass Extract |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 40 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Jan Marini Physical Protectant SPF 45Exuviance Sheer Daily Protector SPF 50 1.7 Ounce
Product summary
We believe that "MDSolarSciences - Mineral Sheer Tinted Stick SPF 30" 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).
This product 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 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. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
Irritation risk
This product contains actives that can be irritating. 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.
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
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- 6
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