SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 35
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 35 · 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
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 · 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 · 5 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane.
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?
Irritancy6 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Titanium dioxide5%
- 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 oxideWater~45–55%
Cyclopentasiloxane~7.9–9.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone~6.7–8.2%
- 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 DimethiconePolyglyceryl-3 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone~4.6–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Butylene glycol~3.5–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolAluminum hydroxide~3.3–4%
- 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 hydroxideDimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer~2.5–3.1%
Peg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone~2.1–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A type of silicone that helps water and oil mix together
More about Peg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethiconeSodium chloride~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideCaffeine~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
More about CaffeineCamellia oleifera leaf extract~0.95–1.15%
- 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 extractTocopheryl acetate~0.75–1.15%
- 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 acetateSodium citrate~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateDimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerTriethoxysilylethyl polydimethylsiloxyethyl hexyl dimethicone~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that mixes with water creating nice light-weight product texture
More about Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethiconeTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.3–0.55%
- 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneStearic acid~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidEthylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.3%
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIron oxides~0.15–0.3%
- 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 oxidesIngredient list view
Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, Butylene glycol, Aluminum hydroxide, Dimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer, Peg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, Sodium chloride, Caffeine, Camellia oleifera leaf extract, Tocopheryl acetate, Sodium citrate, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Triethoxysilylethyl polydimethylsiloxyethyl hexyl dimethicone, Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Stearic acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Iron oxides
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Product summary
We believe that "SkinMedica - Essential Defense Mineral Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 35" 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).
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
Sunscreen filters
This moisturizer 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
This product does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer 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 from 36.00$ up to 40.00$ 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 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.