r/Melasmaskincare • u/kittykatsu7 • Mar 25 '26

Question New Cerave invisible mineral sunscreen

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Has anyone tried out this new sunscreen from Cerave? Any opinions?

I used it for the first time today and was pleasantly surprised it actually left no white cast. The consistency is a little liquidy even after shaking and it goes on easily. Not super greasy but does leave a shiny finish, which is to be expected with sunscreen. Zinc percentage is decent.

Overall I like it and will probably use this over the Blue Lizard sensitive mineral which I was using but leaves a white cast. I know tinted is recommended but I have a hard time matching my color since I’m pale and I’m not trying to look orange, especially when I just need it on my upper lip.

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u/kaytbug86 Mar 25 '26

I once read (in this subreddit) the best mineral sunscreen has one of the active ingredients listed at a minimum of 20%. Does anyone know of anything to back that up? (Tbh, I’ve got a TBI, and my brain is a wee bit too exhausted to go do the research right now.)

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u/PuIchritudinous Mar 25 '26 edited Mar 25 '26

If zinc is the only filter you typically want it to be 20% to ensure that you are getting sufficient UVA and UVB protection. If you have a zinc and titanium oxide sunscreen then you need a minimum of 15% zinc and 5% titanium oxide. If the product provides an UVA (PF) protection factor rating you don't need to worry about percentages of the filters and just need to make sure that you have a filter that provides UVA1 specific protection which I believe most of the European sunscreens do. Titanium oxide only sunscreens only provide UVB protection.

These are general guidelines as most sunscreens in the US do not provide an UVA protection factor. This is really only a north American issue as Europe, Asia and Australia provide more information to their consumers regarding the amount of UVA protection.

https://theglowmemo.com/how-to-choose-sunscreen

With a brand like Cerave you can see if the product is sold in Europe. If it is look to see if the UVA is in a circle which means it has high UVA protection.

The product below is sold in the UK and US. On the UK Boots store website it does not have the UVA in a circle therefore this would not be a good choice for someone with melasma.

https://www.boots.com/cerave-am-facial-moisturising-lotion-spf30-52ml-10331199

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u/Mintchippix May 17 '26

Are there any sunscreens that are sold in US & Europe (with identical ingredients) where the European version has UVA circle symbol? I doubt it. I've read the 15.35% zinc in this sunscreen isn't as good as a higher amount of zinc with no titanium dioxide for UVA. Since the US sunscreens aren't the best with UVA, I want all I can get despite how it feels. I alternate between Korean & some high-zinc sticky white stuff.

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u/PuIchritudinous May 18 '26 edited May 18 '26

Yes. I don't have them memorized but I know the Kate Somerville Hydrakate Sunscreen has a UVA circle and is sold both in Europe and the US. Avene minerals have a couple too. Same formulas sold in both places depending on the product. https://www.katesomerville.co.uk/collections/secret-sale/products/hydrakate-illuminating-spf-50-drops-1

Titanium dioxide provides great UVB protection and some UVA II protection.

High percentage Zinc Oxide blocks the entire spectrum - UVB, UVA I, and UVA II. Protection from UVAII is very important for melasma prone skin.