Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Airbrushing Pressed Powder SPF 30
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 2 UV filtersBroad spectrum
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.
Anti-aging2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Visibly reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, pores and sun damage.”
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-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 6 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product contains antioxidants (camellia oleifera leaf extract) 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 - ginkgo biloba leaf extract also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
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).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 3 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: carthamus tinctorius seed oil, tricaprylin.
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?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Retinyl palmitateMedium 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 dioxide~26–40%
- 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 oxide~11–17%
- 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 oxideMica~5.5–8.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaZinc stearate~4.2–6.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tricaprylin~3.2–4.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Can increase penetration of other ingredients
More about TricaprylinBoron nitride~2.6–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to absord oil and evenly disperse other ingredients (for example, pigment) in product formulation
More about Boron nitrideLauroyl lysine~2.3–3.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice product texture
More about Lauroyl lysineCamellia oleifera leaf extract~1.9–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation, even though it is not usually used in sufficient concentration in cosmetics
More about Camellia oleifera leaf extractChamomilla recutita flower extract~1.5–2.3%
- 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 extractGinkgo biloba leaf extract~1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation in skin. It can be irritating
More about Ginkgo biloba leaf extractPanax ginseng root extract~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory properties, but solid evidence is lacking. It can be irritating
More about Panax ginseng root extractCarthamus tinctorius seed oil~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and might help calm down inflammation
More about Carthamus tinctorius seed oilTocopheryl acetate~0.5–1.15%
- 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 acetateRetinyl palmitate~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateAscorbyl palmitate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable and can penetrate the skin better than L-Ascorbic acid. It is effective in protecting the skin from free radicals, as well as evening the skin tone, but is less effective in stimulating collagen production compared to L-Ascorbic acid.
More about Ascorbyl palmitateMagnesium silicate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Chlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Potassium sorbate~0.3–0.6%
Sodium dehydroacetate~0.15–0.6%
Iron oxides~0.15–0.55%
- 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 oxidesTitanium dioxide~0.1–0.5%
- 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 dioxideIngredient list view
Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, Mica, Zinc stearate, Tricaprylin, Boron nitride, Lauroyl lysine, Camellia oleifera leaf extract, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Ginkgo biloba leaf extract, Panax ginseng root extract, Carthamus tinctorius seed oil, Tocopheryl acetate, Retinyl palmitate, Ascorbyl palmitate, Magnesium silicate, Chlorphenesin, Potassium sorbate, Sodium dehydroacetate, Iron oxides, Titanium dioxide
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Product summary
We believe that "Physicians Formula - Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Airbrushing Pressed Powder SPF 30" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. 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).
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen is a mineral sunscreen. It uses titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for sun protection. Both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide almost never irritate even the most sensitive skin and eyes, but can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
There are actives in this product that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen 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 from 11.48$ up to 30.90$ in the United States, for 40.08A$ in Australia and for 18.77£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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- 6Safety Assessment of Boron Nitride as Used in Cosmetics cir-safety.org
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