MDSolarSciences

MDSolarSciences Travel Mineral Crme SPF 50

Name: MDSolarSciences - Travel Mineral Crme SPF 50
Brand: MDSolarSciences

SPF 50Efficacy60/100IrritancyLow·2 UV filters

See all ingredients

Works for

Sun protection

SPF 50 · 2 UV filters · Partial spectrum

Weak protection

SPF 50Partial spectrumChemical filtersWater-resistantNo white cast

This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.

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.

UV spectrum

UVB290–320 nmUVA II320–340 nmUVA I340–400 nm

Butyloctyl Salicylate

Polysilicone-15

FilterCoverageWhat it doesEst. amount

Butyloctyl SalicylateUVBA 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~2.8–4.2%

Polysilicone-15UVB Photo-stable A UV filter. Effective against UVB rays, but does not protect against the most aging UVA light~2.1–3.2%

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels

Reef-safe

No oxybenzone or octinoxate — the two filters banned in Hawaii, Florida Keys and Aruba.

Anti-aging

Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate

Not delivered

What the product description says

“Naturally derived and safer mineral UV protection helps reduce the risk of photo aging and skin cancer, while Vitamin C and natural antioxidants fight sun damage and free radicals.”

Source: Revolve

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 - camellia sinensis leaf extract - could be helpful for preventing or repairing signs of aging in theory, but there is no evidence that it actually works.

This ingredient camellia sinensis leaf extract might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin and help it fight off some of the sun damage.

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).

Camellia sinensis leaf extractEffect: LowCan contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation~0.85–1.25%

Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateUnder-dosedBeing 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.~1.1–1.6%

Anti-oxidation

Side benefit · Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Punica granatum extract + 3 more

May help

This product contains antioxidants (camellia sinensis leaf extract, punica granatum extract) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.

Camellia sinensis leaf extractKey activeEffect: MediumCan contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation~0.85–1.25%

Punica granatum extractKey activeEffect: MediumA 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~0.55–1.3%

Vaccinium macrocarpon fruit extractEffect: LowA berry extract. Might have some anti-oxidant properties~0.45–1.1%

Tocopheryl acetateEffect: Low, below effective doseA 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.~0.35–0.85%

Moisturizing

Side benefit · Dimethicone, Caprylic/capric triglyceride + 3 more

Works

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).

DimethiconeKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA 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~22–33%

Caprylic/capric triglycerideKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~5.6–8.4%

Dimethicone crosspolymerKey activeEffect: MediumUsed 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~4.4–6.7%

Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethiconeKey activeEffect: HighA silicone that mixes with water creating nice light-weight product texture~0.1–0.4%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

8 flagged ingredients

Low risk

We flag 8 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Vaccinium macrocarpon fruit extractA berry extract. Might have some anti-oxidant propertiesHigh~0.45–1.1%est.

Caprylic/capric triglycerideA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerinMedium~5.6–8.4%est.

Butyloctyl salicylateA 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 ownMedium~2.8–4.2%est.

Polysilicone-15A UV filter. Effective against UVB rays, but does not protect against the most aging UVA lightMedium~2.1–3.2%est.

Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateBeing 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.Medium~1.1–1.6%est.

Punica granatum extractA 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 effectiveMedium~0.55–1.3%est.

Tocopheryl acetateA 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.Medium~0.35–0.85%est.

Polyhydroxystearic acidUsed to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulationMedium~0.15–0.6%est.

Comedogenic

Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients

None flagged

Alternatives

Cheaper, or higher on efficacy

Good Molecules Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

Higher efficacy · 90/10052% match

$11.99

View all alternatives

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Dimethicone~22–33%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingMattifying

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 Dimethicone

Caprylic/capric triglyceride~5.6–8.4%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

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 triglyceride

Dimethicone crosspolymer~4.4–6.7%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

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 crosspolymer

Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer~3.7–5.6%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture

More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer

Butyloctyl salicylate~2.8–4.2%

UV filterKey activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Sun protection

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 salicylate

Glyceryl isostearate~2.3–3.4%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

More about Glyceryl isostearate

Polysilicone-15~2.1–3.2%

UV filterKey activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Sun protection

A UV filter. Effective against UVB rays, but does not protect against the most aging UVA light

More about Polysilicone-15

Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~1.1–1.6%

Under-dosedIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Anti-agingAnti-oxidationEvens skin tone

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 ascorbate

Camellia sinensis leaf extract~0.85–1.25%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

AntibacterialAnti-oxidationAnti-agingEvens skin toneMoisturizingAnti-blemish

Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation

More about Camellia sinensis leaf extract

Punica granatum extract~0.55–1.3%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Anti-oxidationEvens skin tone

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 extract

Vaccinium macrocarpon fruit extract~0.45–1.1%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Anti-oxidation

A berry extract. Might have some anti-oxidant properties

More about Vaccinium macrocarpon fruit extract

Tocopheryl acetate~0.35–0.85%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Anti-oxidation

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 acetate

Silica~0.5–1.1%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to absorb oil and can temporarily mattify skin

More about Silica

Polyhydroxystearic acid~0.15–0.6%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation

More about Polyhydroxystearic acid

Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone~0.1–0.4%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

CleansingMoisturizing

A silicone that mixes with water creating nice light-weight product texture

More about Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone

Triethoxycaprylylsilane~0.1–0.3%

Formula

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 Triethoxycaprylylsilane

Iron oxides~0.1–0.35%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Sun protection

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 oxides

Ingredient list view

Dimethicone, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Butyloctyl salicylate, Glyceryl isostearate, Polysilicone-15, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Punica granatum extract, Vaccinium macrocarpon fruit extract, Tocopheryl acetate, Silica, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Iron oxides

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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
	MDSolarSciencesTravel Mineral Crme SPF 50YOUR PRODUCT	Good MoleculesSheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30	Dr Dennis GrossAll Physical Lightweight Wrinkle Defense SPF	EltaMDUV Skin Recovery Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Match	—	52%	35%	35%
Price	—	$11.99	$42.07	$25.50
Shared key ingredients	—	3 of 8	3 of 8	3 of 8
Key difference	—	Acetyl Glucosamine	Ferulic Acid	Lactic Acid
Irritancy	Low	Low	Low	Low
SPF	SPF 50	SPF 30	SPF 30	SPF 50
Drying alcohol	—	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop

More alternatives: Equate Kids Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50 NYDG Skincare Chem-Free Active Defense SPF30

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Product summary

We do not recommend "MDSolarSciences - Travel Mineral Crme SPF 50" because it does not provide good UVA protection. UVA sun rays don't burn the skin, but they still lead to photoaging and hyperpigmentation.

Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day.

Sunscreen filters

This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: butyloctyl salicylate 2.70% - 4.00% and polysilicone-15 2.00% - 3.00%.

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 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.

Price

The product retails for 46.74$ 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 8 studies and safety reviews.

MDSolarSciencesTravel Mineral Crme SPF 50

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