Products with Polyhydroxystearic Acid

Polyhydroxystearic Acid and the Mineral Sunscreen Problem

Mineral sunscreens live or die on how well the zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are dispersed. Clumped particles mean patchy coverage and a chalky white finish; evenly separated ones mean a smoother film and a more even look on skin. Polyhydroxystearic acid is the dispersant that keeps them apart — an oil-soluble polymer that coats each particle so it cannot re-aggregate in the tube or on the face.

Which is why this collection reads like a sunscreen aisle: Revision Skincare Intellishade Original SPF 45, SkinBetter Science sunbetter TONE SMART SPF 75, SkinCeuticals Future Mineral UV Defense SPF 50 and EltaMD UV Stick SPF 50+ all rely on it.

Does this ingredient reduce the white cast of mineral sunscreen?

Indirectly, yes. By preventing the mineral filters from clumping it allows a thinner, more uniform film, which is a large part of why modern mineral formulas look far less ghostly than they did a decade ago.

How to shop at ELLEMES

Every sunscreen here comes through our authorized accounts, with expiration dating you can actually rely on.

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