Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Face Serum SPF 60+
Works for
4 of 4 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 60 · 6 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 support
“Benefits Helps prevent sunburn and fights signs of skin aging with broad spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection Oil-free facial serum helps even skin tone and maintain skin's natural moisture barrier Antioxidant complex helps fight environmental factors like cold, ozone, and pollution SPF 60+ facial serum is infused with ginger extract to improve skin radiance Non-greasy serum is invisible on all skin tones Water.”
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.
Moisturizing5 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Protect against sun exposure, help even skin tone & boost moisture with this daily facial serum.”
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, glyceryl stearate.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: paraffinum liquidum
Evens skin toneNo ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“Protect against sun exposure, help even skin tone & boost moisture with this daily facial serum.”
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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Benzophenone-3, Alcohol + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Benzophenone-3~23–34%
- 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-3Alcohol~6.5–9.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholParaffinum liquidum~4.7–7.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Mineral oil. One of the most effective and well studied occlusive and emollient moisturizing ingredients. Helps reduce moisture loss in skin and repair skin barrier function
More about Paraffinum liquidumButyl 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneHomosalate13.5%
- 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 salicylateOctocrylene10%
- 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 OctocryleneWater~3.7–5.5%
Butyloctyl salicylate~2.7–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A synthetic ester of salicylic acid that is used to help disperse pigments and boost effectiveness of sunscreen ingredients. It is able to absorb UV light (working as an organic, or chemical filter), but is not approved as a sunscreen ingredient on its own
More about Butyloctyl salicylateGlycerin~2.1–3.1%
- 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 GlycerinAlcohol denat.~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Silica~1.5–2.2%
Dimethicone~1.3–1.9%
- 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 DimethiconeAluminum starch octenylsuccinate~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to thicken the product's consistency
More about Aluminum starch octenylsuccinatePolyurethane-62~0.55–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPentylene glycol~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolSodium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp crosspolymer~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize the product formulations
More about Sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp crosspolymerAcrylates/dimethicone copolymer~0.4–1%
- 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 copolymerGlyceryl stearate~0.45–1.05%
- 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 stearateChlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Styrene/acrylates copolymer~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create an even product consistency. Can help boost efficiency of sunscreen filters
More about Styrene/acrylates copolymerZingiber officinale root extract~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can contain an irritating essential oil. Might have some anti-oxidant effect, but evidence is lacking
More about Zingiber officinale root extractMenthyl lactate~0.15–0.7%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.15–0.7%
- 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 acetateDisodium edta~0.15–0.6%
Trideceth-6~0.15–0.55%
Chrysanthemum parthenium flower/leaf/stem juice~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium hydroxide~0.1–0.45%
Ci 19140~0.1–0.4%
Ci 16035~0.1–0.4%
Ingredient list view
Benzophenone-3, Alcohol, Unknown, Paraffinum liquidum, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Water, Butyloctyl salicylate, Glycerin, Alcohol denat., Silica, Dimethicone, Aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, Polyurethane-62, Phenoxyethanol, Pentylene glycol, Sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp crosspolymer, Acrylates/dimethicone copolymer, Glyceryl stearate, Chlorphenesin, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Zingiber officinale root extract, Menthyl lactate, Tocopheryl acetate, Disodium edta, Trideceth-6, Chrysanthemum parthenium flower/leaf/stem juice, Sodium hydroxide, Ci 19140, Ci 16035
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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.
| NeutrogenaInvisible Daily Defense Face Serum SPF 60+YOUR PRODUCT | Banana BoatSunComfort Sunscreen SPF 30 | NiveaKids Protect & Care Sun Lotion SPF 50+ | EquateKids Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 60% | 59% | 58% |
| Price | $13.50 | $7.84−$5.66 | $5.29−$8.21 | $6.13−$7.37 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 8 | 6 of 8 | 5 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Panthenol | Tinosorb S | Cocos Nucifera Oil |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 60 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, we believe that "Neutrogena - Invisible Daily Defense Face Serum SPF 60+" can offer reliable sun protection. 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).
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. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: oxybenzone 23.00% - 34.00%, avobenzone 3.00% (declared), butyloctyl salicylate 2.70% - 4.10%, octisalate 5.00% (declared), homosalate 13.50% (declared) and octocrylene 10.00% (declared).
Irritation risk
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of it 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.
What our users say
Based on 2 reviews 100% recommend this product- When it comes to comedogenicity, two out of two reviewers say that the product does not clog pores.
- As for the white cast, two out of two reviewers say that the product does not leave a white cast.
- When it comes to using this sunscreen under makeup, two out of two reviewers report that the product does not pill under makeup.
- As for using this sunscreen in the eye area, two out of two reviewers say that it doesn't sting eyes.
Price
The product retails for 44.66A$ in Australia and from 12.97$ up to 17.99$ 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
- 3On Photostability of Oxybenzonecore.ac.uk
- 4A review on the extensive skin benefits of mineral oilncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6
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