Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 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 · Retinyl palmitate, Ascorbic acidWorks 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).
Anti-agingSide benefit the brand mentions · Retinyl palmitate, Tocopherol + 1 moreWorks well
“Moisturize your skin and prevent premature signs of aging with the #1 dermatologist-recommended facial moisturizer.”
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.
These ingredients in the product might also be helpful for reducing and preventing fine lines, wrinkles, and skin elasticity, even though there is no conclusive evidence for their effectiveness: retinyl palmitate.
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Dimethicone, Glycerin + 7 moreWorks
“Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50”
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.
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, cetearyl alcohol.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Benzophenone-3, Retinyl palmitate + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 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 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneHomosalate12%
- 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 salicylateOctocrylene2.35%
- 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-36%
- 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%
Dimethicone~5.6–6.8%
- 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 DimethiconeTrisiloxane~5–6.1%
Diethylhexyl 2,6-naphthalate~4.2–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycerin~3–3.7%
- 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 GlycerinGlyceryl stearate~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearatePeg-100 stearate~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateCetearyl alcohol~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholPotassium cetyl phosphate~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateBehenyl alcohol~1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholCaprylyl methicone~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish on the skin
More about Caprylyl methiconeEthylhexylglycerin~0.55–0.8%
Pantothenic acid~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and may help reduce inflammation in skin
More about Pantothenic acidRetinyl palmitate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateAscorbic acid~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging
More about Ascorbic acidTocopheryl acetate~0.3–0.6%
- 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 acetateTocopherol~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolBht~0.25–0.5%
Polymethyl methacrylate~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to enhance product texture and can help to optically mask skin imperfections
More about Polymethyl methacrylateHydrogenated palm glycerides~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin
More about Hydrogenated palm glyceridesStyrene/acrylates copolymer~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create an even product consistency. Can help boost efficiency of sunscreen filters
More about Styrene/acrylates copolymerCetearyl glucoside~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosideXanthan gum~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumDisodium edta~0.15–0.25%
Methylparaben~0.15–0.25%
Propylparaben~0.1–0.2%
Methylisothiazolinone~0.00075–0.0015%
Benzyl alcohol~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholIngredient list view
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Benzophenone-3, Water, Dimethicone, Trisiloxane, Diethylhexyl 2,6-naphthalate, Glycerin, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Cetearyl alcohol, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Behenyl alcohol, Caprylyl methicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pantothenic acid, Retinyl palmitate, Ascorbic acid, Tocopheryl acetate, Tocopherol, Bht, Polymethyl methacrylate, Hydrogenated palm glycerides, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Cetearyl glucoside, Xanthan gum, Disodium edta, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Methylisothiazolinone, Benzyl alcohol
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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.
| NeutrogenaHealthy Defense Daily Moisturizer with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50YOUR PRODUCT | VichyCapital Soleil Soft Sheer Face and Body Sunscreen Lotion SPF 60 | AveenoFace Sunscreen Lotion With SPF 50 | WalgreensClear Face SPF50 Lotion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 49% | 49% | 48% |
| Price | — | — | $329.88 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 9 | 6 of 9 | 6 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Butyloctyl Salicylate | Avena Sativa Kernel Flour | Polymethylsilsesquioxane |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 60 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Paula's choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50Avon Care Sun Face & Body Pure & Sensitive Moisturising Lotion SPF50
Product summary
We believe that "Neutrogena - Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
It should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: oxybenzone 6.00% (declared), avobenzone 3.00% (declared), octisalate 5.00% (declared), homosalate 12.00% (declared) and octocrylene 2.35% (declared).
Irritation risk
We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 83.43A$ in Australia, from 11.99$ up to 28.18$ in the United States and for 24.99£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4On Photostability of Oxybenzonecore.ac.uk
- 5
- 6Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
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