Neutrogena Build-A-Tan Gradual Sunless Tan Lotion

Neutrogena Build-A-Tan Gradual Sunless Tan Lotion

Efficacy75/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Moisturizing
Ethylhexyl hydroxystearate, C12-15 alkyl benzoate + 5 more
Works
What the product description says
“This moisturizing self-tan lotion delivers just a hint of color with each application.”
Source: Neutrogena

This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.

The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water. When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job: glycerin, methyl gluceth-20.

This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: ethylhexyl hydroxystearate, c12-15 alkyl benzoate.

Ethylhexyl hydroxystearateKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce water loss from it~2.9–4.4%
C12-15 alkyl benzoateKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumEnhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth~2.1–3.2%
GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~1.8–2.7%
Methyl gluceth-20Key active· HumectantEffect: MediumHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and soften it~1.5–2.2%
Cetyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together~0.95–1.4%
Glyceryl stearate· EmollientEffect: LowAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together~1.3–2%
Sorbitol· HumectantEffect: LowHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture~0.5–1.15%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Parfum
Medium risk
We flagged 9 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
DihydroxyacetoneA self-tanning agentHigh~5.5–8.2%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.05–0.15%est.
MethylpropanediolHelps dissolve other ingredients in a formulationMedium~3.8–5.7%est.
Tetrasodium edtaHelps to stabilize the product formulationMedium~0.3–0.75%est.
Sodium citrateHelps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve productsMedium~0.3–0.7%est.
Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerA gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finishMedium~0.15–0.6%est.
Polysorbate 60Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.15–0.6%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.1–0.5%est.
BhtA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.2%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Dihydroxyacetone~5.5–8.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Tanning

A self-tanning agent

More about Dihydroxyacetone
Methylpropanediol~3.8–5.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps dissolve other ingredients in a formulation

More about Methylpropanediol
Ethylhexyl hydroxystearate~2.9–4.4%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce water loss from it

More about Ethylhexyl hydroxystearate
Benzoate
Not recognized
C12-15 alkyl benzoate~2.1–3.2%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth

More about C12-15 alkyl benzoate
Glycerin~1.8–2.7%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin
Methyl gluceth-20~1.5–2.2%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and soften it

More about Methyl gluceth-20
Benzoate
Not recognized
Glyceryl stearate~1.3–2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together

More about Glyceryl stearate
Peg-100 stearate~1.1–1.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture

More about Peg-100 stearate
Cetyl alcohol~0.95–1.4%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together

More about Cetyl alcohol
Sorbitol~0.5–1.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture

More about Sorbitol
Stearyl alcohol~0.5–1.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

An emollient that helps soften the skin

More about Stearyl alcohol
Magnesium aluminum silicate~0.45–1.05%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-aging

Might be helpful in restoring skin barrier function and, when combined with zinc carbonate and malonic acid, reducing fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating elastin production. Also helps stabilize the product formulation

More about Magnesium aluminum silicate
Xanthan gum~0.35–0.85%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Tetrasodium edta~0.3–0.75%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps to stabilize the product formulation

More about Tetrasodium edta
Sodium citrate~0.3–0.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products

More about Sodium citrate
Polysorbate 20~0.2–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polysorbate 20
Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.15–0.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish

More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer
Polysorbate 60~0.15–0.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polysorbate 60
Citric acid~0.1–0.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Methylparaben~0.1–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Methylparaben
Ethylparaben~0.1–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Ethylparaben
Propylparaben~0.05–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Propylparaben
Bht~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Bht
Parfum~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Ingredient list view

Water, Dihydroxyacetone, Methylpropanediol, Ethylhexyl hydroxystearate, Unknown, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Glycerin, Methyl gluceth-20, Unknown, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Cetyl alcohol, Sorbitol, Stearyl alcohol, Magnesium aluminum silicate, Xanthan gum, Tetrasodium edta, Sodium citrate, Polysorbate 20, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Polysorbate 60, Citric acid, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Bht, Parfum

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/14 12:12 GMT
$89.99
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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
NeutrogenaBuild-A-Tan Gradual Sunless Tan LotionYOUR PRODUCTQVSkin Lotion For Dry Skin ConditionsCliniqueSelf Sun Body Tinted Lotion Light/MediumNiveaQ10 60 Firming Body Lotion, Argan Oil
Match—36%36%35%
Price$89.99$9.70−$80.29—$7.27−$82.72
Shared key ingredients—1 of 32 of 31 of 3
Key difference—PetrolatumAcetyl GlucosamineMineral Oil
Irritancy Medium Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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Neutrogena Build-A-Tan Gradual Sunless Tan Lotion
NeutrogenaBuild-A-Tan Gradual Sunless Tan Lotion

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