Essential Defense Mineral Shield™ Broad Spectrum SPF 35 Sunscreen

The best kept secret – buy it now

I don't understand why this product doesn't get more attention. It's AMAZING. I have tried every facial sunscreen available, both at and at big box stores. Although I wish it had a higher SPF, it applies so elegantly and makes my skin feel great. As a mineral sunscreen, it does require rubbing in, but it doesn't leave a cast on my light/fair skin tone. It is moisturizing and dries down nicely (not fully matte, but definitely not greasy or dewy). It's just gorgeous. I use a lot of actives and it never cracks or settles into lines/dry spots. Most days, I apply two pumps of this mixed with one pump of the tinted version. I'm a big makeup fan, I've even worn this sunscreen at night as a foundation because of how great it looks

Customer from CaliforniaVerified Purchase

Skin Cancer

After having my second Squamish cell carcinoma removed, I decided to start using this!

TXCPA from Texas, Age 80+Verified Purchase

Very comfortable mineral sunscreen

I have come back to this mineral sunscreen because it feels good going on and is moisturizing. I don't find it to leave a tacky feel and it works well under makeup. I have light to medium skin color, depending on the time of year and there is no white cast after it dries down. SPF could be higher but I've noticed my skin feels softer when I use this sunscreen

MonicaS from Florida, Age 50-59Verified Purchase

Great sunscreen!

Gentle light sunscreen that doesn’t leave ur face looking white or clog pores!

Customer from FloridaVerified Purchase

Best sunscreen

I have been using this sunscreen for years. I suffer from hyperpigmentation and find that this sunscreen helps me keep it under control. Only sunscreen I use on my face!!

Customer from Florida, Age 50-59Verified Purchase

Sunscreen for your face and neck

A few months ago I needed an untinted facial suncreen and tried SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield. I have been using the tinted version of this sunscreen for a couple of years and was pleased an un-tinted version is available. Most days I use the tinted version on my face and this version on my neck. When I am wearing a hat, walking, or paddleboarding, I use this product on my face and neck as it doesn't leave a residue on the brim of my hat. My face and neck are sensitive and especially sensitive to sunscreens. This sunscreen doesn't irritate my skin, even when I am physically active and sweating. This sunscreen goes on well and doesn't leave a white sheen that some Zinc Oxide sunscreens have. The texture is silky. I have repurchased and will continue to do so

NBNK from Virginia, Age 60-69Verified Purchase

Love this

I love this sunscreen and it works great under makeup. Goes on very smooth and easy

Customer from TexasVerified Purchase

Sunscreen with benefit!

This is the first time using this sunscreen. It glides on so smoothly and absorbs quickly. I love that it is a serum as well and will hidrate my mature skin

Customer from Tennessee, Age 50-59Verified Purchase

Skinmedica essential Defense

I’ve been using this sunblock for years and it’s the only one is not oily for my face. It’s the best

Customer from ArizonaVerified Purchase

Very good but slight cast

I really like this because it is actually an all mineral sunscreen that is, for the most part, very cosmetically elegant. So many are marketed that way but have chemical sunscreen boosters. I have types 2 and 3 rosacea and need to be very careful with sunscreen. It is a really nice consistency, not too thick or greasy at all, but it does leave a slight cast and looks weird in my nose by the end of the day. And I have fair to light skin, so I imagine this wouldn’t work for a lot of folks for that reason. So next time I will try the tinted version because I do really like so many things about the formula

Customer from Massachusetts, Age 40-49Verified Purchase

Too drying for me

I apply a large amount of sunscreen. Some mineral suncreens can feel almost wet on the face when you apply a lot and hair gets stuck etc. This was the opposite end of the spectrum – it dried down without a cast and matte but was very drying. My face felt tighter as the day went on

GeographyVerified Purchase

Love !!

I absolutely love the sunscreen, works very well for my mature skin. I use two pumps and work it good into my hands, and the whitish cast almost turns clear, it's an absolute must

NatashaMayB from California, Age 50-59Verified Purchase

Thanks for recommendation

Joey recommended this product during a facial. She gave me a sample and I loved it, so ordered the product. Haven’t always used a sunscreen, but now am a believer

Customer from Nebraska, Age 60-69Verified Purchase

broke out

This causes me to have cystic acne

CustomerVerified Purchase

Thick & difficult to apply

Didn't like the white cast and how difficult it was to apply because of the viscosity. Would not buy

Customer from Washington, Age 40-49Verified Purchase

Amazing sunscreen

I've been using this for several months and it doesn't leave a white cast or make my skincare pill. I switched to a different sunscreen that pilled and ruined my makeup. I am repurchasing and will never switch again!

Customer from Minnesota, Age 30-39Verified Purchase

good sunscreen

I found this product very effective and cosmetically elegant upon application. However, I'm only giving 4 stars because after about an hour or two when it dries down it becomes very dry looking. Great tint color, though!

Janine from South Carolina, Age 50-59Verified Purchase

It’s okay

This sunscreen goes on well but then dries very dry. It is hard to apply any base over the top. If only using sunscreen it is fine

CustomerVerified Purchase

This was my fav

I had been using this sunblock for years, this last time I purchase I felt it thicker and hard to spread, I wonder if the product is change or maybe it went bad of the road to AZ ? Is to hot right now so went I order I’m always waiting for the mail men on the day of deliver because I don’t want my products sitting on my mailbox in this heat

RosaliaVerified Purchase

Didn’t work for me

This made my skin dry and made my make up application pasty…if you have mature dry skin I would consider other options…will say a little went a long way for coverage

CustomerVerified Purchase

Best I've tried so far

This is overall a good facial sunscreen. I would love if it were a bit more moisturizing, but I do have very dry skin and I feel like most 100% mineral sunscreens will be at least slightly drying (at least the ones I have tried!) Just needs a good moisturizer underneath if you are very dry like me. I have rosacea and very sensitive/reactive skin and this has not caused any problems so far after ~2 months of daily use, so that is a big win! Does not leave any white cast, but I am also naturally very pale so this isn't something I usually have an issue with. I have already repurchased once and plan to keep doing so

CustomerVerified Purchase

Mineral SPF

I wanted to love this SPF. I am looking to replace the SPF I’ve used for years and am just having a hard time finding one I love

AbarberVerified Purchase

Pretty Good!

It smooths in pretty nice, but it's not as moisturizing as I would like and it's to much to add moisturizer to, so I just apply my serum and this but I use it every other day and a more moisturizing sunscreen on the other days. If you have oily skin, this would be perfect for you. Mine is very dry

Nicki7Verified Purchase