CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen Face SPF 30
Summary
CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen Face SPF 30 scores 70/100 -- by far the cleanest mainstream sunscreen on the shelf. 100% mineral actives: Zinc Oxide 11.5% (broad-spectrum gold standard) and Titanium Dioxide 1.2%. Zero chemical filters -- no avobenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, oxybenzone, or octinoxate. The inactive base is also unusually good for a mass-market sunscreen: niacinamide (vitamin B3, barrier support), ceramides 1/3/6-II (skin-identical lipids), hyaluronic acid, glycerin, cholesterol, and phytosphingosine. The demerits keeping it below 90 are dimethicone, behentrimonium methosulfate, sodium polyacrylate, BHT, and a synthetic preservative system (methylparaben-free uses phenoxyethanol/chlorphenesin). For mainstream availability and price point, this is genuinely the recommendation. Owned by L'Oréal.
At a glance
Key ingredients 10
Zinc Oxide (11.5%)Very Good
Broad-spectrum mineral UV filter at high concentration. The gold-standard sunscreen active -- sits on top of skin, EWG top-rated, reef-safe.
See more about Zinc Oxide (11.5%) →Titanium Dioxide (1.2%)Good
Mineral UV filter paired with zinc for full-spectrum protection. Safe topically.
See more about Titanium Dioxide (1.2%) →NiacinamideVery Good
Vitamin B3 derivative. Improves barrier function, reduces inflammation, evens tone. Very well-tolerated.
See more about Niacinamide →Ceramides 1/3/6-IIVery Good
Skin-identical lipids that rebuild the moisture barrier. Excellent for compromised or dry skin.
See more about Ceramides 1/3/6-II →Sodium HyaluronateVery Good
Skin-identical humectant that holds 1000x its weight in water. Excellent for hydration; safe.
See more about Sodium Hyaluronate →GlycerinGood
Humectant that pulls water into the skin. Safe, well-tolerated, and effective at very low cost.
See more about Glycerin →DimethiconeBad
Silicone polymer. Non-biodegradable and persistent in the environment.
See more about Dimethicone →BHTBad
Butylated hydroxytoluene -- synthetic antioxidant. NTP lists as 'reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen' at high doses; flagged as endocrine disruptor by EWG.
See more about BHT →Sodium PolyacrylateBad
Acrylate-class polymer thickener. Microplastic concern though it's a stabilizer not an exfoliant.
See more about Sodium Polyacrylate →PhenoxyethanolNeutral
Synthetic preservative restricted to 1% in the EU. Considered acceptable in rinse-off and leave-on cosmetics; some sensitivity reports.
See more about Phenoxyethanol →Get the full breakdown in the Scout app
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