Neutrogena Beach Defense Spray Body Sunscreen, SPF 50
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 4 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
This sunscreen uses organic (so-called "chemical") sunscreen filters. Organic, or "chemical" filters usually provide reliable sun protection and rarely leave a white cast. Sunscreens with organic filters can sting eyes.
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
Anti-agingNo ingredient credited for this claimWorks well
“Featuring an oxybenzone-free formula and stabilized with Helioplex Technology, it offers superior broad-spectrum protection from skin-aging UVA rays and skin-burning UVB rays.”
This product can help prevent early signs of skin aging because it offers a good level of broad spectrum sun protection. Sun damage is the main cause of premature skin aging, and protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging strategy.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · No ingredient credited for this claimWorks well
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection. It means that it can prevent hyperpigmentation and help keep the skin tone even (sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.
More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneHomosalate10%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation
More about HomosalateEthylhexyl salicylate5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateOctocrylene10%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about OctocryleneAlcohol denat.~24–35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Isobutane~5.1–7.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Dicaprylyl carbonate~4.5–6.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonatePolyester-7~3.6–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer~2.7–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Neopentyl glycol diheptanoate~2.1–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Neopentyl glycol diheptanoateParfum~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumTocopheryl acetate~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateAlcohol denat.~0.6–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Isobutane~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
Dicaprylyl carbonate~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonatePolyester-7~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Neopentyl glycol diheptanoate~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Neopentyl glycol diheptanoateParfum~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumTocopheryl acetate~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateIngredient list view
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Alcohol denat., Isobutane, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Polyester-7, Acrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer, Neopentyl glycol diheptanoate, Parfum, Tocopheryl acetate, Alcohol denat., Isobutane, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Polyester-7, Acrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer, Neopentyl glycol diheptanoate, Parfum, Tocopheryl acetate
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| NeutrogenaBeach Defense Spray Body Sunscreen, SPF 50YOUR PRODUCT | WalgreensSport Sunscreen Continuous Spray SPF 50 | Sun BumSunscreen Spray SPF 70 | EquateKids Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Spray, , SPF 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 48% | 48% | 48% |
| Price | $9.88 | — | $14.86+$4.98 | $4.88−$5.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
| Key difference | — | Mineral Oil | Cyclopentasiloxane | Mineral Oil |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 70 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Hawaiian Tropic Everyday Active Sunscreen Spray, SPF 50Bondi Sands Hydra SPF50+ Mist
Product summary
We assess that "Neutrogena - Beach Defense Spray Body Sunscreen, SPF 50" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredient list. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
Sunscreen filters
This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: avobenzone 3.00% (declared), octisalate 5.00% (declared), homosalate 10.00% (declared) and octocrylene 10.00% (declared).
Irritation risk
This sunscreen contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 1 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
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