Quick Summary:
Date Tested: 7/24/2023
In this CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sheer Tint Face SPF 30 sunscreen lotion review, I find an amazing sunscreen lotion which provides exceptional UV protection, which gives it a place among the top performers I have tested so far. Thanks again Christi!
The CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sheer Tint SPF 30 is a mineral based (physical) formulation which incorporates Titanium Dioxide at 5.5% and Zinc Oxide at 10% concentration. This is a somewhat lower % concentration of these active ingredients than some other products on the market tend to use, but this makes sense being an SPF 30. Now that I’ve had a few sunscreen tested under my belt, it is somewhat rare for me to be surprised by the results of the products I test, let alone get excited about. But this was a product I become excited enough about to even consider it as a replacement for what I currently use (my current daily sunscreen is the trader joes invisible gel SPF 40).
My “in-vivo” testing experience using this Cerave sunscreen as the first tinted lotion I have ever tried, went as below:
Me (applying lotion to face): “hmm, this tinted lotion seems to kind of disappear the more I smear it around my face, maybe I can get away without looking like I have tinted sunscreen on”
Me (finished applying the sunscreen to my face and happy that I cant tell a difference): “Hmm. Looks good, I don’t see a change in my face color”
Me: (Heading out to the car where my family is waiting, to go and get some frozen yogurt)
Me to wife: “Hey, this sunscreen totally blends in despite being tinted!”
Wife: (looks at me, pauses, and immediately starts laughing – like LOL laughing)
Me: “Wait, what? Can you see it?”
Wife (laughing): “You look like ken from Barbie!”
Me (Looking at mirror): “Oh… I guess you CAN see it when outdoors”
Wife (still laughing): “Hi Ken!” (takes picture)
Me: “Sigh”
Ok, so I wont be using a tinted sunscreen (no matter how effective) to replace my current invisible daily face sunscreen, but hey…maybe some people want to look like they have foundation on. Anyways.
Testing the CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sheer Tint (Face) SPF 30 returned great results, with the formulation filtering UVA by 99.92%, blocking UVB by 98.56%, and cutting total UVI by 99.85%. Absolutely amazing performance. For being rated at only an SPF30 and incorporating such a “low” concentration of UV filtering ingredients, this colored me impressed (get it? its tinted…heh)!
CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sheer Tint (Face) SPF 30 sunscreen lotion ingredients
Active ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 5.5%, Zinc Oxide 10%
Inactive Ingredients: Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Isohexadecane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Peg-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Triethylhexanoin, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ethylene/acrylic Acid Copolymer, Triethanolamine, Silica, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Stearic Acid, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Carbomer, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sodium Chloride, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Aluminum Stearate, Alumina, Aluminum Hydroxide, Iron Oxides, Phenoxyethanol, P-anisic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Tocopherol, Disodium Edta, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Propylene Carbonate, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin
Manufacturers Website: www.cerave.com
CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sheer Tint (Face) SPF 30 lotion characteristics at a glance:
- Seamlessly blends into all skin tone to offset whitening effect of mineral sunscreen
- Leaves all skin tones with a healthy glow
- Three essential ceramides help restore the skin’s natural barrier, which helps lock in moisture
- Hyaluronic acid: Helps retain skin’s natural moisture
- Niacinamide: Helps calm the skin
- Allergy tested, non-comedogenic and suitable for sensitive skin
- Fragrance-free and paraben-free
- Developed with dermatologists
- Awarded the Skin Cancer Foundation Daily Use Seal of Approval
- Hawaii Compliant Sunscreen: Sunscreen filters titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, are compliant for use in Hawaii* Hawaii prohibits the sale, offer of sale, and distribution of sunscreens that contain oxybenzone.
- Viscosity is perfect
Prepared slide ready for testing
The CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sheer Tint has a fantastic consistency. It hits the sweet spot of being not too runny, nor too thick. It spreads uniformly, and creates a nice even layer when applied to the slide.
There is a super slightly thinner area where the magnetic vice has applied pressure, but the overall distribution of the lotion is still very even.
Below are the results from 2 hours of testing in my UV testing station.
CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sheer Tint (Face) SPF 30 UV blocking test results
Ultraviolet light quick reference:
UVA: The Ultraviolet wavelength from 315nm – 400nm. The “Aging UV light” – Causes wrinkles.
UVB: The Ultraviolet wavelength from 280nm – 315nm. The “Bad UV light” – Causes skin cancer.
UVI: The global sun UV index. The more a sunscreen can reduce the level of UVI, the better.
UV test results:
Ultraviolet sensor readings:
| Before Sunscreen | After Sunscreen | % UV Blocked | |
| TEMP | 87.01 | 88.5 | |
| UVA | 22319.5 | 18 | 99.92% |
| UVB | 1161.5 | 16.75 | 98.56% |
| UVI | 13.13 | .02 | 99.85% |
Want to know more about how I test sunscreen? Head here to read about the details.
Testing notes:
While not something I can really use (not due to the fantastic UV protection), due to the idea of looking like a Ken doll (according to my wife), I think this is a great sunscreen.
Highly Recommended.
Want to try the CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sheer Tint (Face) SPF 30 sunscreen lotion?
Super duper recommended.
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