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MDSolarSciences Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50
MDSolarSciences

Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50

SPF 50
Our score 87.8 / 100

No fragrance or ethanol; ceramides support the barrier. Silicone elastomers, tint and dispersants support smooth mineral spread; actual wear is untested and health screening stays baseline.

Tinted Iron-oxide pigment masks white cast with a sheer skin-tone finish. Sensitive & baby fragrance-free, low-irritant, baby-safe gentle formulas. United States
03 The facts, at a glance
Protection
Filter type Mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) sit on skin and reflect UV. Chemical filters absorb UV. Hybrid runs both.
Mineral
Broad spectrum Covers both UVA and UVB. UVA drives aging and deeper damage; UVB gives you burns.
Yes
Formulation & feel
Texture How it feels going on — milk, gel, cream, spray, stick, essence, lotion, powder, or cushion.
Cream
Finish How it looks once dry: matte, natural, dewy, or glowy.
Natural
Tinted Adds sheer pigment (iron oxides) that masks the white cast common to mineral filters and gives a skin-tone finish.
Yes
fragrance-free No synthetic perfume added. Not FDA-defined in the US; the EU requires 'Parfum' + the 26 named allergens on the label. 'Unscented' is different — it can hide masking fragrance. Botanical oils still scent.
Yes
Alcohol-free No drying short-chain alcohols (alcohol denat., SD alcohol, ethanol). Doesn't mean fatty alcohols like cetyl or stearyl — those are emollients.
Yes
Where to buy it
Ulta US In stock
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87.8
Composite score · independent
Ranks #570 of 1759 in the current catalogue. No fragrance or ethanol; ceramides support the barrier. Silicone elastomers, tint and dispersants support smooth mineral spread; actual wear is untested and health screening stays baseline.
Composite is a weighted blend: UV 25% · Modernity 10% · Sensitivity 15% · Environment 10% · Elegance 15% · Health 25%. That's the recipe.
The score breakdown
UV protection How hard it blocks UVA + UVB across the spectrum at the stated SPF/PA. 83
Filter modernity Dings legacy filters (octinoxate, oxybenzone); rewards photostable next-gen ones. 80
Sensitivity safety Risk for reactive skin — fragrance, alcohol, and known sensitisers. 90
Reef / env. safety Reef toxicity plus how biodegradable the UV filters and surfactants are. 100
Cosmetic elegance Spread, finish, white-cast, and how it actually feels on skin. 87
Health safety Endocrine concerns and systemic absorption signals across the whole formula. 90
02 Composition · key UV filters 3 filters resolved
UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered
Titanium Dioxide Mineral Physical filter — sits on skin and reflects UV. Reef-safer.
Zinc Oxide Mineral Physical filter — sits on skin and reflects UV. Reef-safer.
Parsol SLX Modern Next-gen photostable filter; low irritation profile.
04 Full ingredient list (INCI) 31 ingredients
MODERN FILTER 1 LEGACY FILTER 1 MINERAL FILTER 2 ADDED FRAGRANCE 0 NATURAL FRAGRANCE 0 ALCOHOL 0 WATCH 0 ACTIVE 4
Titanium Dioxide Mineral UV filter — physical block; reef-safer. · Zinc Oxide Mineral UV filter — physical block; reef-safer. ·Dimethicone·Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride·Dimethicone Crosspolymer·Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer· Butyloctyl Salicylate Salicylate-class booster; supports avobenzone. ·Glyceryl Isostearate·Polyester-8· Polysilicone-15 Parsol SLX · Ceramide Ap Skin-barrier lipid. · Ceramide Eop Skin-barrier lipid. · Ceramide Np Skin-barrier lipid. ·Phytosphingosine·Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate·Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract·Punica Granatum Extract·Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract·Aqua·Polyhydroxystearic Acid·Silica·Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate· Ethylhexylglycerin Humectant — the workhorse hydrator. ·Cholesterol·Carbomer·Xanthan Gum·Triethoxycaprylylsilane·CI 77891·CI 77492·CI 77491·CI 77499
Source: brand-published INCI. Last verified 2026. Show in detail
01 Titanium Dioxide MINERAL FILTER Mineral UV filter — physical block; reef-safer.
02 Zinc Oxide MINERAL FILTER Mineral UV filter — physical block; reef-safer.
03 Dimethicone Dimethicone
04 Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
05 Dimethicone Crosspolymer Dimethicone Crosspolymer
06 Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
07 Butyloctyl Salicylate LEGACY FILTER Salicylate-class booster; supports avobenzone.
08 Glyceryl Isostearate Glyceryl Isostearate
09 Polyester-8
10 Polysilicone-15 MODERN FILTER Parsol SLX
11 Ceramide Ap ACTIVE Skin-barrier lipid.
12 Ceramide Eop ACTIVE Skin-barrier lipid.
13 Ceramide Np ACTIVE Skin-barrier lipid.
14 Phytosphingosine Phytosphingosine
15 Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate Vitamin C Ester (THD Ascorbate)
16 Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Green Tea Leaf Extract
17 Punica Granatum Extract
18 Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
19 Aqua Water
20 Polyhydroxystearic Acid Polyhydroxystearic Acid
21 Silica Silica
22 Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
23 Ethylhexylglycerin ACTIVE Humectant — the workhorse hydrator.
24 Cholesterol Cholesterol
25 Carbomer Carbomer
26 Xanthan Gum Xanthan Gum
27 Triethoxycaprylylsilane Triethoxycaprylylsilane
28 CI 77891 CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide)
29 CI 77492 Iron Oxide Yellow (CI 77492)
30 CI 77491 Iron Oxide Red (CI 77491)
31 CI 77499 Black Iron Oxide (CI 77499)