Sunscreen Ranker Independent ranker
MU
Murad

City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 / PA++++

SPF 50+ · PA++++ Tinted Iron-oxide pigment masks white cast with a sheer skin-tone finish. US United States us-fda Formulation variant: us-fda. Region-specific reformulations are tracked as separate products.

Mineral (TiO2 2.7%+ZnO) tinted; retinyl palmitate in a daytime sunscreen is controversial, urea and dense PEG/silicone mix reduce safety margin.

CHEM Chemical filters Chemical filters — Organic filters absorb UV. Cosmetically elegant; filter selection matters. F F-FREE Fragrance-free Fragrance-free — No added fragrance or perfume — lower irritation risk for reactive skin. A A-FREE Alcohol-free Alcohol-free — No drying short-chain alcohols (denatured / SD alcohol). TINT Tinted Tinted — Adds sheer colour — covers white cast and gives a skin-tone finish.
63.5
Composite
Composite score · independent
Ranks #1233 of 1558 in the current catalogue. Mineral (TiO2 2.7%+ZnO) tinted; retinyl palmitate in a daytime sunscreen is controversial, urea and dense PEG/silicone mix reduce safety margin.
Composite is a weighted blend: UV 25% · Modernity 10% · Sensitivity 15% · Environment 10% · Elegance 15% · Health 25%.
Verdict Should you buy it?

A tinted mineral SPF 50 led by titanium dioxide (2.7%) and zinc oxide, with iron oxides providing the tint. Retinyl palmitate in a daytime sunscreen is unusual, and the dense silicone-PEG base sits heavier than a modern fluid.

Pros
  • Mineral filter system (TiO2 + ZnO) with iron oxide tint
  • Fragrance-free formula
  • Tint helps offset white cast typical of mineral filters
  • Includes argan oil, tocopheryl acetate, and ascorbic acid
  • Bisabolol and oat extract for soothing
Cons
  • Retinyl palmitate is debated for daytime sun-exposure use
  • Mineral-only filter set lacks modern long-UVA coverage
  • Dense silicone and PEG matrix can feel heavy on some skin
  • Urea may sting on broken or sensitized skin

Who it's for: Reactive-skin buyers in the US who want a tinted mineral formula and accept retinyl palmitate in a daytime product.

01 Score breakdown
UV protection How well the product blocks UVA + UVB across the spectrum at the stated SPF/PA. 75
Filter modernity Penalises legacy filters (octinoxate, oxybenzone); rewards photostable next-gen filters. 50
Sensitivity safety Risk for reactive skin — fragrance, alcohol, known sensitisers. 50
Reef / env. safety Reef toxicity, biodegradability of UV filters and surfactants. 100
Cosmetic elegance Spread, finish, white-cast, comfort on skin. 65
Health safety Endocrine concerns, systemic absorption signals across the formula. 50
03 At-a-glance facts
Protection
Filter type Mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) sit on skin and reflect UV. Chemical filters absorb UV. Hybrid blends both.
Chemical
Broad spectrum Protects across both UVA and UVB ranges. UVA causes aging and deeper damage; UVB causes burns.
No
Formulation & feel
Texture How the formula feels at application — milk, gel, cream, spray, stick, essence, lotion, powder, or cushion.
Cream
Finish How the formula looks on skin once dry: matte, natural, dewy, or glowy.
Natural
Tinted Adds sheer pigment (iron oxides) that masks the white cast common to mineral filters and gives a skin-tone finish.
Yes
Fragrance-free No synthetic perfume added. Not FDA-defined in the US; the EU requires 'Parfum' + the 26 named allergens on the label. 'Unscented' differs — may contain masking fragrance. Botanical oils still scent.
Yes
Alcohol-free No drying short-chain alcohols (alcohol denat., SD alcohol, ethanol). Does not refer to fatty alcohols like cetyl or stearyl alcohol, which are emollients.
Yes
04 Full ingredient list (INCI) 45 ingredients
MODERN FILTER 0 LEGACY FILTER 0 MINERAL FILTER 1 ADDED FRAGRANCE 0 NATURAL FRAGRANCE 0 ALCOHOL 0 WATCH 0 ACTIVE 2
Source: brand-published INCI. Last verified 19 Jun 2026. Show in detail
01 Titanium Dioxide (2.7%), Zinc Oxide MINERAL FILTER Mineral UV filter — physical block; reef-safer.
02 Aqua Water
03 Dimethicone Dimethicone
04 C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
05 Glycerin ACTIVE Humectant — the workhorse hydrator.
06 Triheptanoin Triheptanoin
07 Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
08 C13-16 Isoparaffin C13-16 Isoparaffin
09 Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil Argan Kernel Oil
10 Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E Acetate
12 Polyhydroxystearic Acid Polyhydroxystearic Acid
13 Polymethylsilsesquioxane Polymethylsilsesquioxane
14 Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
15 Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Oat Kernel Extract
17 Retinyl Palmitate Retinyl Palmitate
18 Ascorbic Acid Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
19 Bisabolol Bisabolol
20 Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
21 Urea Urea
23 Trehalose Trehalose
24 Inositol Inositol
25 Taurine Taurine
26 Betaine Betaine
27 Biosaccharide Gum-4 Biosaccharide Gum-4
28 Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
29 Silica Silica
30 Tapioca Starch Tapioca Starch
31 Sucrose Sucrose
32 Pentylene Glycol Pentylene Glycol
33 Butylene Glycol Butylene Glycol
34 Dimethicone/Peg-10/15 Crosspolymer Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
35 Lauryl Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
36 PEG-8 Dimethicone PEG-8 Dimethicone
37 Octyldodecanol Octyldodecanol
38 Sodium Propoxyhydroxypropyl Thiosulfate Silica Sodium Propoxyhydroxypropyl Thiosulfate Silica
39 Peg/Ppg-18/18 Dimethicone PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
40 Triethoxycaprylylsilane Triethoxycaprylylsilane
41 Aluminum Stearate Aluminum Stearate
42 Alumina Alumina
43 Ethylhexylglycerin ACTIVE Humectant — the workhorse hydrator.
44 Phenoxyethanol Phenoxyethanol
45 Ci 77491 Iron Oxide Red (CI 77491)