Mustela SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Spray
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 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.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · No ingredient credited for this claimStrong evidence
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-agingNot advertised by the brand · Tocopherol, Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceStrong evidence
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.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Cocos nucifera oil, Glycerin + 9 moreGood evidence
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, caprylyl glycol.
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: cocos nucifera oil, helianthus annuus seed oil.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Calendula officinalis flower extractMedium 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 dioxide4.3%
- 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 oxide14.7%
- 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 oxideWater~45–55%
Helianthus annuus seed oil~6.1–7.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilOlea europaea fruit oil~6.4–7.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation
More about Olea europaea fruit oilButyloctyl salicylate~4.6–5.6%
- 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 salicylateCocos nucifera oil~3.7–4.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic
More about Cocos nucifera oilCapryloyl glycerin/sebacic acid copolymer~3.1–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Capryloyl glycerin/sebacic acid copolymerHeptyl undecylenate~2.8–3.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss from the skin surface over time and create a nice product finish
More about Heptyl undecylenateMethyl dihydroabietate~2.1–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Methyl dihydroabietateCetearyl alcohol~1.8–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholPropanediol~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolSodium stearoyl glutamate~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateBentonite~1–1.2%
Tocopherol~0.95–1.2%
- 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 TocopherolCaprylyl glycol~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCoco-glucoside~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating
More about Coco-glucosideMicrocrystalline cellulose~0.8–1.2%
Bisabolol~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololAlumina~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
The same compound that is used safely in dental implants and bone cements. In cosmetics, it is used to improve the consistency of products
More about AluminaPolyhydroxystearic acid~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidCitric acid~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium gluconate~0.55–0.8%
Caprylhydroxamic acid~0.5–0.75%
Glycerin~0.45–0.7%
- 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 GlycerinSilica~0.55–0.85%
Cellulose gum~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions
More about Cellulose gumAloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceGlycerin~0.25–0.45%
- 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 GlycerinCalendula officinalis flower extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritating
More about Calendula officinalis flower extractChamomilla recutita flower extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Chamomilla recutita flower extractSpiraea ulmaria flower extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Might have some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Can be irritating
More about Spiraea ulmaria flower extractNasturtium officinale flower/leaf extract~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance or masking agent
More about Nasturtium officinale flower/leaf extractIngredient list view
Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, Water, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Olea europaea fruit oil, Butyloctyl salicylate, Cocos nucifera oil, Capryloyl glycerin/sebacic acid copolymer, Heptyl undecylenate, Methyl dihydroabietate, Cetearyl alcohol, Propanediol, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Bentonite, Tocopherol, Caprylyl glycol, Coco-glucoside, Microcrystalline cellulose, Bisabolol, Alumina, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Citric acid, Sodium gluconate, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Glycerin, Silica, Cellulose gum, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Glycerin, Calendula officinalis flower extract, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Spiraea ulmaria flower extract, Nasturtium officinale flower/leaf 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.
| MustelaSPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen SprayYOUR PRODUCT | Sun BumMineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray | |
|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 50% |
| Price | $22.00 | $16.46−$5.54 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | — |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop |
Product summary
We assess that "Mustela USA - SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Spray" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredient list. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
This product should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This is a "mixed" sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") sun filters. Here are the organic filters this product uses: butyloctyl salicylate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this product to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 22.00$ 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 23 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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