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MDSolarSciences Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50
MDSolarSciences

Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50

SPF 50+ Tinted Iron-oxide pigment masks white cast with a sheer skin-tone finish. United States us-fda Formulation variant: us-fda. Region-specific reformulations are tracked as separate products.

Mineral SPF50 with ceramide-EOP/AP/NP trio, phytosphingosine and antioxidants; gentle, fragrance-free barrier-supporting formula.

HYB Hybrid filters Hybrid filters — Mineral + chemical filters together for the best of both. ((· BS Broad spectrum Broad spectrum — Blocks UVA + UVB — covers the whole sun-damage spectrum. F F-FREE Fragrance-free Fragrance-free — No added fragrance — lower irritation risk if your skin's reactive. A A-FREE Alcohol-free Alcohol-free — No drying short-chain alcohols (denatured / SD alcohol). TINT Tinted Tinted — Adds sheer colour — kills white cast and gives a skin-tone finish.
Where to buy it
Ulta US In stock
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84.8
Composite
Composite score · independent
Ranks #168 of 1558 in the current catalogue. Mineral SPF50 with ceramide-EOP/AP/NP trio, phytosphingosine and antioxidants; gentle, fragrance-free barrier-supporting formula.
Composite is a weighted blend: UV 25% · Modernity 10% · Sensitivity 15% · Environment 10% · Elegance 15% · Health 25%. That's the recipe.
01 The score breakdown
UV protection How hard it blocks UVA + UVB across the spectrum at the stated SPF/PA. 84
Filter modernity Dings legacy filters (octinoxate, oxybenzone); rewards photostable next-gen ones. 87
Sensitivity safety Risk for reactive skin — fragrance, alcohol, and known sensitisers. 82
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. 74
Health safety Endocrine concerns and systemic absorption signals across the whole formula. 87
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.
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.
Hybrid
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
Verdict Is it worth it?

A tinted mineral SPF 50 pairing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide with a ceramide AP/EOP/NP trio, phytosphingosine and cholesterol. Fragrance-free, ethanol-free, and aimed at compromised-barrier skin.

Pros
  • Mineral filter pair (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide)
  • Ceramide AP/EOP/NP trio with phytosphingosine and cholesterol
  • Fragrance-free and ethanol-free
  • Tinted to manage mineral cast
Cons
  • Single tint shade limits match range
  • Mineral cream finish may feel rich on oily skin

Who it's for: Barrier-compromised users wanting a fragrance-free mineral SPF with a true ceramide barrier complex.

04 Full ingredient list (INCI) 30 ingredients
MODERN FILTER 1 LEGACY FILTER 1 MINERAL FILTER 2 ADDED FRAGRANCE 0 NATURAL FRAGRANCE 0 ALCOHOL 0 WATCH 0 ACTIVE 4
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 Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
04 Dimethicone Crosspolymer Dimethicone Crosspolymer
05 Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
06 Butyloctyl Salicylate LEGACY FILTER Salicylate-class booster; supports avobenzone.
07 Glyceryl Isostearate Glyceryl Isostearate
09 Polysilicone-15 MODERN FILTER Parsol SLX
10 Ceramide Ap ACTIVE Skin-barrier lipid.
11 Ceramide Eop ACTIVE Skin-barrier lipid.
12 Ceramide Np ACTIVE Skin-barrier lipid.
13 Phytosphingosine Phytosphingosine
14 Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate Vitamin C Ester (THD Ascorbate)
15 Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Green Tea Leaf Extract
18 Aqua Water
19 Polyhydroxystearic Acid Polyhydroxystearic Acid
20 Silica Silica
21 Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
22 Ethylhexylglycerin ACTIVE Humectant — the workhorse hydrator.
23 Cholesterol Cholesterol
24 Carbomer Carbomer
25 Xanthan Gum Xanthan Gum
26 Triethoxycaprylylsilane Triethoxycaprylylsilane
27 Ci 77891 CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide)
28 Ci 77492 Iron Oxide Yellow (CI 77492)
29 Ci 77491 Iron Oxide Red (CI 77491)
30 Ci 77499 Black Iron Oxide (CI 77499)