Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen With SPF 55
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 55 · 5 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.
Anti-agingNo ingredient credited for this claimStrong evidence
“Stabilized with Helioplex Technology, the SPF 55 facial sunscreen offers superior broad spectrum protection from skin-aging UVA 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 toneNot advertised by the brand · No ingredient credited for this claimStrong evidence
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).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Sarcosine, Dimethicone + 9 moreGood evidence
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:
sarcosine, butylene 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, cetyl dimethicone.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Benzophenone-3, Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark extractMedium 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 methoxydibenzoylmethane2.7%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneHomosalate4%
- 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 salicylate4.5%
- 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 salicylateOctocrylene6%
- 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 OctocryleneBenzophenone-34.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Same as oxybenzone. Protects in the UVB and short UVA range. In small concentrations, used to stabilize product formulation. Can be irritating. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can penetrate the skin and get absorbed into bloodstream faster than other popular filters available in the US. The study that produced this finding did not address any potential health effects of the absorption
More about Benzophenone-3Water~45–55%
Silica~4.9–6%
Cetyl dimethicone~5–6.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice, light product texture
More about Cetyl dimethiconeStyrene/acrylates copolymer~4.1–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create an even product consistency. Can help boost efficiency of sunscreen filters
More about Styrene/acrylates copolymerC12-15 alkyl benzoate~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 benzoateSteareth-100~2.1–2.5%
Ethylhexylglycerin~1.6–2%
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCaprylyl glycol~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolSodium polyacrylate~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylateDimethicone~0.75–1.15%
- 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-2~0.55–0.85%
Polyester-7~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Chlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Propylene glycol~0.35–0.65%
- 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 glycolEthylhexyl stearate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Ethylhexyl stearateNeopentyl glycol diheptanoate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Neopentyl glycol diheptanoateBisabolol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololDisodium edta~0.25–0.45%
Butylene glycol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolAcrylates/dimethicone copolymer~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize product formulation, help create an even product layer over skin (for example, in sunscreen), evenly disperse pigements and create a nice product consistency
More about Acrylates/dimethicone copolymerDiethylhexyl 2,6-naphthalate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Mannan~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Xanthan gum~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumBht~0.15–0.3%
Capryloyl glycine~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together, preserve cosmetic products, and attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Capryloyl glycineTrideceth-6~0.15–0.3%
Sarcosine~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to enhance the penetration of other ingredients and attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about SarcosineCedrus atlantica bark extract~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Portulaca oleracea extract~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant activity, but solid research is lacking. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Portulaca oleracea extractIngredient list view
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Benzophenone-3, Water, Silica, Cetyl dimethicone, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Steareth-100, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Sodium polyacrylate, Dimethicone, Steareth-2, Polyester-7, Chlorphenesin, Propylene glycol, Ethylhexyl stearate, Neopentyl glycol diheptanoate, Bisabolol, Disodium edta, Butylene glycol, Acrylates/dimethicone copolymer, Diethylhexyl 2,6-naphthalate, Mannan, Xanthan gum, Bht, Capryloyl glycine, Trideceth-6, Sarcosine, Cedrus atlantica bark extract, Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark extract, Portulaca oleracea extract
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Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, we assess that "Neutrogena - Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen With SPF 55" can provide reliable sun protection. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (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).
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream. 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. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: oxybenzone 4.50% (declared), avobenzone 2.70% (declared), octisalate 4.50% (declared), homosalate 4.00% (declared) and octocrylene 6.00% (declared).
Irritation risk
This product contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit 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.
Price
The product retails from 10.99$ up to 12.48$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4On Photostability of Oxybenzonecore.ac.uk
- 5
- 6
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