ZO Skin Health Sunscreen + Powder Broad-Spectrum SPF 45
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Sun protectionSPF 45 · 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-agingNot advertised by the brand · Ascorbic acid, Retinyl palmitateStrong 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.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · Ascorbic acid, Retinyl palmitateStrong 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).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Simmondsia chinensis butter + 1 moreGood evidence
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: simmondsia chinensis seed oil, pentylene glycol.
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
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Zinc oxide25%
- 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~23–34%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaHydroxyapatite~4.1–6.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polymethyl methacrylate~3.8–5.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to enhance product texture and can help to optically mask skin imperfections
More about Polymethyl methacrylateHdi/trimethylol hexyllactone crosspolymer~2.8–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a silky product texture and add volume to products
More about Hdi/trimethylol hexyllactone crosspolymerSimmondsia chinensis butter~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Simmondsia chinensis butterSimmondsia chinensis seed oil~1.8–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oilIron oxides~1.6–2.4%
- 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 oxidesTriethoxycaprylylsilane~1.2–1.7%
- 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneBisabolol~0.95–1.4%
- 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 BisabololEthyl ferulate~0.6–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.45–1.1%
Melanin~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pentylene glycol~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolWater~0.2–0.7%
Silica~0.35–0.8%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.1–0.45%
- 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 acetateAscorbic acid~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging
More about Ascorbic acidRetinyl palmitate~0.05–0.15%
- 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 palmitatePhenoxyethanol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Zinc oxide, Mica, Hydroxyapatite, Polymethyl methacrylate, Hdi/trimethylol hexyllactone crosspolymer, Simmondsia chinensis butter, Unknown, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Iron oxides, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Bisabolol, Ethyl ferulate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Melanin, Pentylene glycol, Water, Silica, Tocopheryl acetate, Ascorbic acid, Retinyl palmitate, Phenoxyethanol
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Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 7 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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- 6
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