# CeraVe vs Dermalogica Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 **Question answered:** Should I choose CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 or Dermalogica Invisible Physical Defense Mineral Sunscreen SPF30? **Short answer:** Choose CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Face Lotion if you avoid fragrance or have sensitive skin; it's sold as fragrance free, uses titanium dioxide 6% and zinc oxide 5%, and adds ceramides and niacinamide. Choose Dermalogica Invisible Physical Defense Mineral Sunscreen SPF30 if you want a zinc-only formula (20.9% zinc oxide) with a sheer finish Dermalogica calls invisible, and you don't mind its lavender oil and linalool. Both are SPF 30 mineral sunscreens; mineral filters can look white on deeper skin tones. By Nora Ellison. Published 2026-10-25. Data is taken from manufacturer labels; the products have not been tested. ## What this means for you ### Start with what you notice If chemical sunscreens sting your skin or eyes, a mineral sunscreen is the usual next thing to try. The question here is whether fragrance or finish matters more to you. ### The ingredient names, translated Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which sit on the skin and block UV. They're often better tolerated by sensitive skin, but they can leave a white cast. CeraVe's uses both minerals and is sold as fragrance free. Dermalogica's uses zinc oxide alone at a higher percentage and lists lavender oil, a scent ingredient. ### How to decide - Sensitive skin or avoiding fragrance? CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30. - Want a zinc-only sunscreen with a sheer finish, and fragrance doesn't bother you? Dermalogica Invisible Physical Defense SPF30. - Deeper skin tone and worried about white cast? Test either on your jawline first; a tinted mineral sunscreen may blend better. ### What to expect Either protects only when you apply enough and reapply at least every two hours outdoors. Neither brand states water resistance on these product records. We haven't tested either product. General guidance, not a test of these products: [AAD: how to select a sunscreen](https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/shade-clothing-sunscreen/how-to-select-sunscreen); [FDA: sunscreen, how to help protect your skin from the sun](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/understanding-over-counter-medicines/sunscreen-how-help-protect-your-skin-sun). Each product's label source is linked on its product page. ## Two SPF 30 mineral sunscreens [CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Face Lotion](product:cerave-hydrating-mineral-sunscreen-spf-30-face-lotion) is a broad-spectrum SPF 30 face lotion with titanium dioxide 6% and zinc oxide 5% as its only filters. It adds ceramides NP, AP and EOP, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. CeraVe sells it as fragrance free and lists it for all skin types, including sensitive; it carries the National Eczema Association seal and the Skin Cancer Foundation's Daily Use seal. CeraVe says to apply it 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply at least every two hours. [Dermalogica Invisible Physical Defense Mineral Sunscreen SPF30](product:dermalogica-invisible-physical-defense-mineral-sunscreen-spf30) uses non-nano zinc oxide at 20.9% as its sunscreen active. Dermalogica describes a weightless lotion with a sheer, invisible finish and adds a mushroom complex, green tea and sodium hyaluronate. The label also lists lavender flower extract and lavandin oil, with limonene and linalool. Dermalogica says to apply it 30 minutes before sun exposure. ## Choosing and using a mineral sunscreen The [AAD recommends](https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/shade-clothing-sunscreen/how-to-select-sunscreen) a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, and the [FDA advises](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/understanding-over-counter-medicines/sunscreen-how-help-protect-your-skin-sun) reapplying at least every two hours and after swimming or sweating. Apply sunscreen as the last skincare step, before makeup. See our [daily sunscreen guide](/articles/the-daily-sunscreen-guide/) and the [CeraVe Mineral SPF 30 vs Invisible SPF 50 comparison](/comparisons/cerave-mineral-spf-30-vs-invisible-spf-50/). ## Manufacturer sources - [CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Face Lotion](https://www.cerave.com/sunscreen/face/hydrating-mineral-sunscreen-face-lotion-spf-30) - [Dermalogica Invisible Physical Defense SPF30](https://www.dermalogica.com/products/invisible-physical-defense-spf30) Sources and label-check dates are recorded on the product pages. | Product | Key ingredients | Skin types | Fragrance | Flagged ingredients | Size | Source | Buy | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Face Lotion](https://dermalguide.com/products/cerave-hydrating-mineral-sunscreen-spf-30-face-lotion/) | Brand doesn't name one | oily, dry, combination, sensitive, normal | Marketed as fragrance free | No flags recorded; not a safety guarantee | Brand doesn't list it | [Manufacturer label](https://www.cerave.com/sunscreen/face/hydrating-mineral-sunscreen-face-lotion-spf-30), checked 2026-10-23 | [Amazon (affiliate)](https://link.amazon/B050Cgna2) | | [Dermalogica Invisible Physical Defense Mineral Sunscreen SPF30](https://dermalguide.com/products/dermalogica-invisible-physical-defense-mineral-sunscreen-spf30/) | Zinc oxide, Bio-Active Mushroom Complex, Green Tea, and Hyaluronic Acid | oily, dry, combination, sensitive, normal | Scent ingredients flagged | Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Eucalyptol, Linalool, Limonene | Brand doesn't list it | [Manufacturer label](https://www.dermalogica.com/products/invisible-physical-defense-spf30), checked 2026-10-11 | [Amazon (affiliate)](https://amzn.to/4zjGpyW) | ## Which to choose Consider CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Face Lotion when: You avoid fragrance or have sensitive skin; You want ceramides and niacinamide in your sunscreen. Consider Dermalogica Invisible Physical Defense Mineral Sunscreen SPF30 when: You want a zinc oxide-only mineral sunscreen with a sheer finish; You don't avoid lavender oil or other scented ingredients. ## Questions ### Which mineral sunscreen is best for sensitive skin? Of these two, CeraVe's is sold as fragrance free and carries the National Eczema Association seal. Dermalogica's lists lavender oil, limonene and linalool. ### Do these leave a white cast? Mineral filters can. Dermalogica describes its finish as sheer and invisible, and CeraVe describes a sheer tint-free formula on its page. Test on your jawline before committing, especially on deeper skin. ### Are these water resistant? Neither product record states water resistance. Reapply after swimming or sweating, and at least every two hours outdoors.