Our take
Why We Trust This Brand
MDSolarSciences is dermatologist-credible and its mineral hero is excellent, 17% zinc + 2% titanium, non-nano, oxybenzone- and octinoxate-free. But because the broader line mixes in chemical-filter products (avobenzone/octocrylene/octisalate), it lands mid-pack on ingredients rather than at the top. On independence it's genuinely private, held by the late founder's trust and private investors, not a PE roll-up or conglomerate, but it was formerly VC-backed and is now run by a professional CEO, so it isn't a pure founder-owned story. We trust the formulas and note that the 'MD' here is a real dermatologist legacy, not marketing.
What's inside
Ingredients & Safety
The Mineral Crème flagship is 100% mineral, 17% zinc oxide + 2% titanium dioxide, with non-nano zinc, in a silicone (dimethicone) base with iron oxides for tint and vitamin C / green-tea antioxidants. Note the brand is mineral+chemical overall: other SKUs (e.g., Daily Perfecting Moisturizer SPF 30) use avobenzone, octocrylene and octisalate. The entire line is free of oxybenzone and octinoxate.
Certifications
No listed ingredient is currently on our watch or caution list. This finding applies only to the ingredient list shown below and may not cover every product, variant, market, or reformulation.
Ingredient List Reviewed
- Zinc Oxide 17%
- Titanium Dioxide 2%
- Dimethicone
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride also listed as Fractionated Coconut Oil, MCT
- Butyloctyl Salicylate
- Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C)
- Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract
- Silica also listed as Silica, E551
- Triethoxycaprylylsilane
- Iron Oxides (CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499)
Formula scope: the disclosed ingredient list captured for this review. Formulas can differ by product, scent, country, and date; compare the current package with this list before deciding.
Want another top-tier option? Stream2Sea in Sunscreen & Sun Care currently meets our top criteria. Review its formula scope and cited records before deciding.
Who owns it
Ownership & Independence
Founded in 2007 by dermatologic oncologist Dr. Robert J. Friedman, the company is privately held and, per multiple sources, was never sold to a PE firm or conglomerate. After Dr. Friedman's death (~2021), ownership is described as his trust plus a small group of private investors, with Renee Plato as CEO; aggregators also label it 'formerly VC-backed' (~$9.6M raised). We could not independently verify the exact funding figures, but the not-PE / not-conglomerate status is well supported. Sources differ on the HQ city (Norwalk vs Westport, CT).
VC Funding Note
Formerly VC-backed (per Crunchbase/PitchBook); now privately held via founder Dr. Robert Friedman's trust plus a small group of private investors and run by CEO Renee Plato, not PE- or conglomerate-owned.
Where to buy
Key Products
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Check the exact formula, size, seller, and availability on Amazon. Search links show results that may include other brands. Links open in a new tab.
- Mineral Crème SPF 50 Search on Amazon →
- Mineral Tinted Crème SPF 30 Search on Amazon →
- Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 40 Search on Amazon →
- Daily Perfecting Moisturizer SPF 30 (chemical) Search on Amazon →