The INKEY List CA Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 30
Works for
3 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 1 UV filterBroad 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-agingButyrospermum parkii butter, Tocopherol + 1 moreStrong evidence
“ 22% non-nano Zinc Oxide helps protect skin from UVA and UVB damage 1% Pollustop® helps protect skin from pollutants and prevent premature skin aging 2% Shea Butter complex helps to moisturise and calm skin”
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.
MoisturizingPanthenol, Squalane + 16 moreStrong evidence
“ 22% non-nano Zinc Oxide helps protect skin from UVA and UVB damage 1% Pollustop® helps protect skin from pollutants and prevent premature skin aging 2% Shea Butter complex helps to moisturise and calm skin”
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.
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, dimethicone.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy14 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Zinc oxide22%
- 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 oxideCaprylic/capric triglyceride~7.2–8.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 triglycerideDicaprylyl carbonate~5.8–7.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateCoconut alkanes~3.8–4.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Coconut alkanesGlyceryl stearate~3–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateCaramel~2.6–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycerin~2.4–2.9%
- 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~2.2–2.7%
Peg-100 stearate~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearatePolyhydroxystearic acid~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidDimethicone~1–1.2%
- 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 DimethiconeGlyceryl stearate citrate~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl stearate citratePolymethylsilsesquioxane/silica crosspolymer~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps add a "soft focus" effect on the surface of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Polymethylsilsesquioxane/silica crosspolymerPotassium cetyl phosphate~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateStearic acid~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidPhenoxyethanol~0.6–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPolyglyceryl-3 stearate~0.6–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 stearateCoco-caprylate/caprate~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateSodium stearoyl glutamate~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateHydrogenated lecithin~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.
More about Hydrogenated lecithinHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerPolysilicone-11~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that forms a light film on the skin surface helping to bind water and temporarily absorb oils creating a matt and powdery feel
More about Polysilicone-11Squalane~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneBisabolol~0.4–0.6%
- 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 BisabololButyrospermum parkii butter~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterTocopheryl acetate~0.45–0.7%
- 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 acetateXanthan gum~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCitric acid~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidAloe barbadensis leaf juice powder~0.4–0.6%
- 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 juice powderEthylhexylglycerin~0.4–0.6%
Panthenol~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolLecithin~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinPolysorbate 60~0.35–0.65%
Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate1,2-hexanediol~0.2–0.35%
Tocopherol~0.2–0.4%
- 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 TocopherolAscorbyl palmitate~0.15–0.3%
- 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 palmitateSorbitan isostearate~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateBiosaccharide gum-4~0.1–0.2%
Helianthus annuus seed oil~0.15–0.25%
- 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 oilIngredient list view
Water, Zinc oxide, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Coconut alkanes, Glyceryl stearate, Caramel, Glycerin, Silica, Peg-100 stearate, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Dimethicone, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane/silica crosspolymer, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Stearic acid, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-3 stearate, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Hydrogenated lecithin, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Polysilicone-11, Squalane, Bisabolol, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Tocopheryl acetate, Xanthan gum, Citric acid, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Lecithin, Polysorbate 60, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, 1,2-hexanediol, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl palmitate, Sorbitan isostearate, Biosaccharide gum-4, Helianthus annuus seed oil
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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.
| The INKEY List CAZinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 30YOUR PRODUCT | The INKEY List CAMineral Sunscreen SPF 30 | Face Reality SkincarepowerMineral™ SPF 50 | SkinMedicaTotal Defense and Repair SPF 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 67% | 54% | 53% |
| Price | $7.46 | — | $38.00+$30.54 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 11 of 11 | 9 of 11 | 8 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | — | Madecassic Acid | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, we believe that "The INKEY List CA - Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 30" can offer reliable sun protection. 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).
It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
Sunscreen filters
It 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 it 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 11.20£ up to 14.99£ 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 20 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
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