Mamaearth

Mineral Based Sunscreen : Ingredients & Skin Analysis.

SPF 20+MineralCream

Photostable mineral UV protection

38
Needs ReviewOverall Rating
Based on formula analysis

Skin Type Match

65%

Nourishing · Dewy · Emollient

Pros
  • Deeply moisturizes skin
  • Rich dewy finish
  • Antioxidant rich formula
Cons
  • Low SPF protection
  • Noticeable white cast
  • Contains essential oils
View other sunscreens for Dry to Normal Skin

Performance Scores

SPF Level

Poor

The input specifies an SPF rating of 20+, which correlates to a score of 2 based on the standard UVB protection tiers.

Broad Spectrum

Fair

Photobiology research confirms Zinc Oxide is a stable mineral filter that absorbs and scatters UV radiation up to 400 nm, effectively covering the entire UVA spectrum.

Sweat Resistance

Poor

The inactive ingredient list relies entirely on basic emulsifiers and thickeners (e.g., Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol) without any known cosmetic water-resistance enhancers like acrylates or VP/eicosene copolymers.

Photo Stability

Excellent

Cosmetic science literature establishes that mineral filters like Zinc Oxide do not structurally degrade or lose protective capacity when absorbing high-energy UV photons.

Visible Light

Poor

Absence of iron oxide colour indices (e.g., CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) or non-nano pigmentary minerals in the ingredient list.

Irritation Risk

Medium Risk

Linalool in lavender oil is a well-documented contact allergen, and sodium benzoate is known to occasionally provoke non-immunologic contact urticaria.

Pore Clogging

High Risk

Established clinical comedogenicity scales rate wheat germ oil at 5/5 and cocoa butter at 4/5, indicating severe pore-clogging potential.

White Cast

High Risk

Un-tinted zinc oxide inherently scatters visible light; without nano-technology claims or iron oxides, it consistently produces a cast on Fitzpatrick III-VI skin.


Ingredients Analysis

Active Filters

Zinc Oxide MineralBroad Spectrum UV / High Energy Visible

Key Inactive Ingredients

Water WaterSolvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Fatty Acid EsterEmollient
Shea Butter Natural OilEmollient
Cocoa Butter Natural OilEmollient

Rated highly comedogenic making it very likely to clog pores and exacerbate breakouts in individuals with oily or acne prone skin [2.1].

Olive Oil Natural OilEmollient

Olive oil is mildly to moderately comedogenic and can contribute to pore clogging or breakouts when applied to the face, especially in individuals with oily skin.

Rice Bran Oil Natural OilEmollient
Grapeseed Oil Natural OilEmollient
Wheat Germ Oil Natural OilEmollient

Widely recognized as highly comedogenic with a maximum rating of 5 out of 5, meaning it is very likely to clog pores and trigger breakouts in acne-prone skin [1.6].

Calendula Extract Botanical ExtractSkin Conditioning

May cause allergic contact dermatitis in rare cases particularly for individuals allergic to plants in the daisy family.

Aloe Vera Extract Botanical ExtractSkin Conditioning

Unpurified whole leaf aloe extracts may contain anthraquinones like aloin which have shown carcinogenic potential in oral animal studies but cosmetic grade aloe is decolorized to safely limit these compounds to below 50 parts per million [1.3].

Vitamin E VitaminAntioxidant
Glyceryl Stearate NonionicEmulsifier
Cetyl Alcohol WaxThickener
Lavender Essential Oil NaturalFragrance

Contains linalool and linalyl acetate which are established contact allergens capable of causing skin sensitization and allergic contact dermatitis particularly when the oil undergoes oxidation.

Sorbitan Olivate and Cetearyl Olivate NonionicEmulsifier
Potassium Sorbate Organic AcidPreservative

Considered a rare skin sensitizer, it may occasionally cause mild allergic contact dermatitis or irritation, particularly on damaged or compromised skin [1.8].

Sodium Benzoate Organic AcidPreservative

Cancauseallergiccontactdermatitisandnonimmunologiccontacturticariacharacterizedbyrednessandwheals, thoughitisgenerallywelltoleratedbymostindividuals[1.5].