Neutrogena Cellular Boost Anti-Ageing Day Cream SPF 20
Works for
3 of 4 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 20 · 4 UV filters · Broad spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection, but it is weak. We recommend to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
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.
Moisturizing9 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
“Anti-Ageing Day Cream This formula contains.”
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, caprylyl glycol.
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: dimethicone, ethylhexyl palmitate.
Evens skin tone2 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
“Vitamin C to help correct uneven skin tone and reduce dark spots.”
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: ascorbyl glucoside, hexylresorcinol.
The biggest effect for evening out skin tone in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations. This is why sun protection is the best strategy for maintaining an even skin tone. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Anti-aging2 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
“Cellular Boost Anti-Ageing Day Cream SPF 20”
This product contains ascorbyl glucoside. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works. The biggest anti-aging effect in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing early signs of skin aging. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 3 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
This product contains antioxidants (ascorbyl glucoside, hexylresorcinol) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Propylene glycol~5.2–6.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolGlycerin~3.9–4.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 GlycerinHomosalate~3.6–4.4%
- 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 HomosalateIsononyl isononanoate~2.4–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Forms a protective film on the surface of the skin to prevent moisture loss. Gives a velvety feel to products while reducing tackiness
More about Isononyl isononanoateEthylhexyl salicylate~2.5–3.1%
- 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 salicylateDimethicone~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeSteareth-2~1.4–1.8%
Ascorbyl glucoside~1.3–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
More about Ascorbyl glucosideButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~1.4–1.7%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl palmitate~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Ethylhexyl palmitateOctocrylene~0.95–1.15%
- 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 OctocryleneStyrene/acrylates copolymer~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create an even product consistency. Can help boost efficiency of sunscreen filters
More about Styrene/acrylates copolymerButyrospermum parkii butter~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterMethyl methacrylate crosspolymer~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps thicken the product consistency
More about Methyl methacrylate crosspolymerBehenyl alcohol~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholHexylresorcinol~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals in skin
More about HexylresorcinolSteareth-21~0.55–0.8%
Caprylyl glycol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolAcrylates copolymer~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize product formulation, help create an even product layer over skin (for example, in sunscreen) and create a thicker product consistency
More about Acrylates copolymerPeg-8 laurate~0.35–0.65%
Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonateLinseed acid~0.45–0.7%
Mica~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaDimethicone crosspolymer~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product texture. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might be able to prevent moisture loss from its surface
More about Dimethicone crosspolymerAmmonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerSclerotium gum~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions
More about Sclerotium gumDisodium edta~0.2–0.4%
Sodium hydroxide~0.2–0.4%
Ethylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Methylparaben~0.1–0.25%
Propylparaben~0.1–0.2%
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolParfum~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumCi 77891~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Water, Propylene glycol, Glycerin, Homosalate, Isononyl isononanoate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Dimethicone, Steareth-2, Ascorbyl glucoside, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Octocrylene, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, Behenyl alcohol, Hexylresorcinol, Steareth-21, Caprylyl glycol, Acrylates copolymer, Peg-8 laurate, Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Linseed acid, Mica, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Sclerotium gum, Disodium edta, Sodium hydroxide, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Ci 77891
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Product summary
"Neutrogena - Cellular Boost Anti-Ageing Day Cream SPF 20" "is a broad spectrum sunscreen meaning that it protects both from UVB rays (" burning "- they cause sunburn) and UVA rays (" aging "- they don't cause sunburn but lead to premature aging and pigmentation issues). However, it does not offer enough sun protection. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product.
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. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: avobenzone 1.40% - 1.70%, octisalate 2.50% - 3.10%, homosalate 3.60% - 4.40% and octocrylene 0.95% - 1.15%.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this product 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 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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