Neutrogena Clear Face Oil-Free Sunscreen SPF 55
Works for
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.
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).
MoisturizingSide benefit · C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Capryloyl glycine + 9 moreWorks
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
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~22–34%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneHomosalate~4.6–6.9%
- 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 salicylate~4.6–6.8%
- 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 salicylateOctocrylene~3.9–5.9%
- 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-3~3.3–4.9%
- 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-3Acrylates/dimethicone copolymer~2–3%
- 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 copolymerBht~1.5–2.2%
Bisabolol~1.2–1.8%
- 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 BisabololButylene glycol~1–1.5%
- 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 glycolC12-15 alkyl benzoate~0.9–1.35%
- 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 benzoateCapryloyl glycine~0.55–1.3%
- 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 glycineCaprylyl glycol~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCedrus atlantica bark extract~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cetyl dimethicone~0.4–0.9%
- 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 dimethiconeChlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark extract~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Diethylhexyl 2,6-naphthalate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dimethicone~0.35–0.8%
- 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 DimethiconeDisodium edta~0.15–0.65%
Ethylhexyl stearate~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Ethylhexyl stearateEthylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.55%
Mannan~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Neopentyl glycol diheptanoate~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Neopentyl glycol diheptanoatePhenoxyethanol~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPolyester-7~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Portulaca oleracea extract~0.1–0.45%
- 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 extractPropylene glycol~0.1–0.4%
- 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 glycolSarcosine~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to enhance the penetration of other ingredients and attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about SarcosineSilica~0.2–0.75%
Sodium polyacrylate~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylateSteareth-100~0.1–0.35%
Steareth-2~0.1–0.35%
Styrene/acrylates copolymer~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create an even product consistency. Can help boost efficiency of sunscreen filters
More about Styrene/acrylates copolymerTrideceth-6~0.05–0.25%
Xanthan gum~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumIngredient list view
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Benzophenone-3, Acrylates/dimethicone copolymer, Bht, Bisabolol, Butylene glycol, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Capryloyl glycine, Caprylyl glycol, Cedrus atlantica bark extract, Cetyl dimethicone, Chlorphenesin, Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark extract, Diethylhexyl 2,6-naphthalate, Dimethicone, Disodium edta, Ethylhexyl stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Mannan, Neopentyl glycol diheptanoate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyester-7, Portulaca oleracea extract, Propylene glycol, Sarcosine, Silica, Sodium polyacrylate, Steareth-100, Steareth-2, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Trideceth-6, Xanthan gum
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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.
| NeutrogenaClear Face Oil-Free Sunscreen SPF 55YOUR PRODUCT | La Roche-PosayAnthelios UV Correct SPF 70 Daily Anti-Aging Face Sunscreen | Face Reality SkincareBrilliant Defense SPF 50 | Peter Thomas RothMax Matte Shine Control Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 40% | 39% | 39% |
| Price | — | $29.98 | $42.00 | $34.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 9 | 5 of 9 | 5 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate | Ceramide Eos |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 55 | SPF 70 | SPF 50 | SPF 45 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Garnier Green Labs Canna-B Pore Perfecting Serum Cream, Fragrance Free, with SPF 30 and Niacinamide Vitamin B3 + Cannabis Sativa Seed OilEucerin Age Defense, Lightweight Sunscreen Lotion For Face, SPF 50
Product summary
We believe that "Neutrogena - Clear Face Oil-Free Sunscreen SPF 55" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. 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).
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream.
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: oxybenzone 3.30% - 4.90%, avobenzone 22.00% - 34.00%, octisalate 4.60% - 6.80%, homosalate 4.60% - 6.90% and octocrylene 3.90% - 5.90%.
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.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4On Photostability of Oxybenzonecore.ac.uk
- 5
- 6
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