Product

Peter Thomas Roth Max Mineral Tinted Sunscreen

A tinted mineral sunscreen in a single universal shade. It performs well on light-to-medium skin and does not solve the problem it claims to for deep skin.
At a Glance
Mixed

This sunscreen's single tint does not suit every skin tone. The product is sold as a single universal tint, and users with deeper skin report it reads too light or leaves a grey cast. Some medium-tone users find it too yellow. For deep skin, the universal claim does not hold up.

Where it does well is on light-to-medium, redness-prone skin. The tint neutralizes redness, and a tinted mineral formula can be a good choice for rosacea-prone skin. The iron oxides in the tint also help block visible light.

It is a fully mineral sunscreen, so it suits skin that reacts to chemical filters. The brand does not clearly state it is fragrance-free, so check the label if that matters.

Key facts

Key activeZinc oxide + titanium dioxide (SPF 45)
TextureLightweight, tinted lotion
Best forLight to medium skin tones; redness-prone skin
Approximate price$32–40

How it works

The tint neutralizes redness well. For rosacea-prone or flushed skin in the light-to-medium range, this genuinely reduces the look of redness while protecting — and plenty of users skip foundation because of it.

Fully mineral, so it suits sensitive skin and skin that reacts to chemical filters.

It is water-resistant, which is more than many tinted facial sunscreens offer.

Antioxidants — vitamins C and E — are included, which adds a little supplementary protection against free radicals that sunscreen alone does not stop.

Everyday habits

How to use it
  • When: Every morning, as the last step in your skincare.How much: About 1/4 teaspoon for the face. Most people use too little. Where: Face, ears, neck, and hairline. Reapply: Every 2 hours outdoors, and after sweating or swimming. It is water-resistant. Shade note: This is a tinted mineral sunscreen in one universal shade. It suits light-to-medium skin; deeper tones may find it too light or grey.
Who should be careful+

One universal shade, and it does not go deep. This is the honest headline. Retailer listings sometimes show shade names like "Fair" or "Deep Sand," but the product is sold as a single universal tint. Users with deeper skin report it reads too light or leaves a grey cast. For deep skin, this is a one-shade-fits-none product — the "universal" claim does not hold.

Some medium-tone users find the tint too yellow.

Exact filter percentages are not published, which makes it harder to compare against sunscreens that do disclose them.

No confirmed fragrance-free claim. If that matters to you, check the label.

Questions people ask+
Is this mineral or chemical?Mineral. It uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
Does the shade work on deep skin?Often not. The single shade tends to read too light or grey on deep skin.
Will it cover redness?Yes, that is a strength on light-to-medium skin.
Is it water resistant?Yes.
Is it fragrance-free?Not clearly stated. Check the label.
What SPF is it?SPF 45.
Full ingredient list+

Active ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 1.93%, Zinc Oxide 19.24%

Inactive ingredients: Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, C9-12 Alkane, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Oleosomes, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cetyl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Olivate, Stearyl Phosphate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Phenoxyethanol, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Sorbitan Olivate, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Alumina, Xanthan Gum, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Squalane, Gluconolactone, Sodium Phytate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Potassium Sorbate, Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Diamond Powder, Iron Oxides, Mica

References+

1. Photoprotection beyond ultraviolet radiation: A review of tinted sunscreens (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32335182/) — Tinted sunscreens using iron oxides and pigmentary titanium dioxide provide protection against visible light, which plain mineral (nanoparticle zinc oxide/titanium dioxide) sunscreens do not, supporting the claim that the tint helps against redness and light-induced skin effects. 2. Sunscreens part 2: Regulation and safety (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38777185/) — Reviews the distinction between inorganic (mineral: zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) and organic (chemical) UV filters and their safety, supporting the claim that a fully mineral filter is an appropriate choice for people who react to chemical filters. 3. Ferulic acid stabilizes a solution of vitamins C and E and doubles its photoprotection of skin (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16185284/) — Demonstrates that a topical combination of vitamins C and E provides meaningful antioxidant photoprotection against oxidative stress in skin, supporting the claim that vitamin C and E antioxidants add supplementary protection against free radicals. 4. Attitudes on, Practices, and Recommendations for Visible Light Protection Amongst Dermatology Practitioners (https://jddonline.com/articles/attitudes-on-practices-recommendations-visible-light-protection-amongst-dermatology-practitioners-S1545961624P8159X) — States that iron oxides, antioxidants, and pigmentary titanium dioxide are sunscreen additive ingredients that enhance visible light protection and reduce associated hyperpigmentation, supporting both the tint-reduces-redness and antioxidant claims.