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
We read every line on this label. Nothing here is on our watch or caution list — no synthetic fragrance, no flagged chemicals.
Full Ingredient List
- 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)
Prefer a spotless pick? Stream2Sea in Sunscreen & Sun Care is Clean Verified — every ingredient clean, with no recalls or lawsuits on record.
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
- Mineral Crème SPF 50 View on Amazon →
- Mineral Tinted Crème SPF 30 View on Amazon →
- Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 40 View on Amazon →
- Daily Perfecting Moisturizer SPF 30 (chemical) View on Amazon →
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