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Mustela SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Lotion
Mustela

Mustela SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Lotion

SPF 50Efficacy90/100IrritancyLow·1 UV filter
See all ingredients

Works for

Sun protection
SPF 50 · 1 UV filter
Broad spectrum
SPF 50Broad spectrumMineral filtersWater-resistant

This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.

It is a mineral sunscreen. In other words, it contains non-organic UV filters. It will probably not sting your eyes but might leave a white cast.

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
Zinc Oxide
FilterCoverageWhat it doesEst. amount
Zinc Oxide Mineral UVBUVA Photo-stable 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 colorant24%
Reef-safe
No oxybenzone or octinoxate — the two filters banned in Hawaii, Florida Keys and Aruba.
Evens skin tone
Side benefit · No ingredient credited for this claim
Works 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).

Anti-aging
Side benefit the brand mentions · Tocopherol
Works well
What the product description says
“SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Lotion”
Source: Mustela USA

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.

TocopherolEffect: Low, below effective dosePure 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~0.1–0.15%
Moisturizing
Side benefit the brand mentions · Glycerin, Caprylic/capric triglyceride + 4 more
Works
What the product description says
“Mustela SPF 50 Mineral sunscreen lotion provides safe, effective daily sun protection for babies, children, and the whole family.”
Source: Mustela USA

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, sodium hyaluronate.

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: caprylic/capric triglyceride.

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~4.9–6%
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~2–2.5%
Sodium hyaluronateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.1–0.2%
C15-19 alkaneEffect: LowHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture~10–12%
Lauryl peg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethiconeEffect: LowA type of silicone that helps to soften upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture~1.2–1.5%
TocopherolEffect: Low, below effective dosePure 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~0.1–0.15%

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
Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~2.9–3.5%est.
Ethyl macadamiateHelps water and oil mix togetherMedium~2.3–2.8%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~2–2.5%est.
Polyhydroxystearic acidUsed to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulationMedium~0.8–1.15%est.
1,2-hexanediolA preservativeMedium~0.45–0.65%est.
HydroxyacetophenoneUsed to increase effectiveness of preservativesMedium~0.45–0.65%est.
Caprylhydroxamic acidA preservativeMedium~0.2–0.35%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~0.15–0.3%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Zinc oxide24%
UV filterKey active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Sun protection

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 oxide
Water~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
C15-19 alkane~10–12%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture

More about C15-19 alkane
Glycerin~4.9–6%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 Glycerin
Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate~2.9–3.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate
Ethyl macadamiate~2.3–2.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps water and oil mix together

More about Ethyl macadamiate
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~2–2.5%
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
Styrene/acrylates copolymer~1.4–1.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create an even product consistency. Can help boost efficiency of sunscreen filters

More about Styrene/acrylates copolymer
Stearyl/octyldodecyl citrate crosspolymer~1.3–1.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Stearyl/octyldodecyl citrate crosspolymer
Lauryl peg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone~1.2–1.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A type of silicone that helps to soften upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture

More about Lauryl peg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone
Propanediol~1.1–1.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin

More about Propanediol
Polyhydroxystearic acid~0.8–1.15%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation

More about Polyhydroxystearic acid
Triethoxycaprylylsilane~0.6–0.9%
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
1,2-hexanediol~0.45–0.65%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about 1,2-hexanediol
Hydroxyacetophenone~0.45–0.65%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to increase effectiveness of preservatives

More about Hydroxyacetophenone
Magnesium sulfate~0.4–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Magnesium sulfate
Sodium chloride~0.25–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures

More about Sodium chloride
Caprylhydroxamic acid~0.2–0.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Caprylhydroxamic acid
Tocopheryl acetate~0.15–0.3%
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
Sodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.2%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

More about Sodium hyaluronate
Tocopherol~0.1–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationMoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-aging

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 Tocopherol
Malic acid~0.05–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps adjust the product pH

More about Malic acid
Ingredient list view

Zinc oxide, Water, C15-19 alkane, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, Ethyl macadamiate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Stearyl/octyldodecyl citrate crosspolymer, Lauryl peg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, Propanediol, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Magnesium sulfate, Sodium chloride, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Tocopheryl acetate, Sodium hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Malic acid

Compare prices

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/12 12:00 GMT
$22.00
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Mustela USA
$22.00
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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
MustelaSPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen LotionYOUR PRODUCTSupergoop!Mineral Sheerscreen SPF 30CeraVeHydrating Body Sunscreen SPF 50, Lightweight Mineral SunscreenLove Sun BodyLaunching March 2022 Sheer Perfection Mineral Body Sunscreen SPF 30 Fragrance-Free Cosmos Natural
Match—40%39%39%
Price$22.00$40.00+$18.00$16.97−$5.03—
Shared key ingredients—4 of 43 of 43 of 4
Key difference—Butyloctyl SalicylateCeramide EopButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Irritancy Low Low Low Low
SPFSPF 50SPF 30SPF 50SPF 30
Drying alcohol————
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Product summary

Based on the ingredients included, we believe that "Mustela USA - SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Lotion" can offer reliable sun protection. 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).

It 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 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 does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this product 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 16.50$ 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 13 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  2. 2
    Risk assessment of zinc oxide, a cosmetic ingredient used as a UV filter of sunscreensncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Characterization of the UVA protection provided by avobenzone, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide in broad-spectrum sunscreen productsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Ultraviolet Protection Properties of Commercial Sunscreens and Sunscreens Containing Zno Nanorodsiopscience.iop.org
  5. 5
    ZnO nanoparticles and organic chemical UV-filters are equally well tolerated by human immune cellsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. 6
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Mustela SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Lotion
MustelaSPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Lotion
Buy at Mustela USA$22.00$22.00as of 11/12 12:00 GMT

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Buy at Mustela USA$22.00$22.00as of 11/12 12:00 GMT

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.