Neutrogena Purescreen+ Invisible Daily Defense Mineral Face Liquid with SPF 30
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 2 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
It is a mineral sunscreen. In other words, it contains non-organic UV filters. It will probably not sting your eyes but might leave a white cast.
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.
Anti-agingNo ingredient credited for this claimStrong evidence
“In addition to helping to prevent sunburn, the mineral liquid lotion with antioxidant complex Vitamin E and feverfew, helps fight environmental aggressors such as pollution, ozone, and sun-induced free radicals that can damage skin and lead to signs of premature skin aging.”
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 · 7 ingredients credited for this claimGood evidence
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: dimethicone, c12-15 alkyl benzoate.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Zingiber officinale root extract, Sorbitan sesquioleateMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Titanium dioxide4.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideZinc oxide21.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant
More about Zinc oxideWater~45–55%
Isononyl isononanoate~7–8.5%
- 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 isononanoateDicaprylyl ether~6.6–8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin while creating a non-greasy feel on the skin. Helps to dissolve other ingredients
More about Dicaprylyl etherC12-15 alkyl benzoate~4.7–5.7%
- 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 benzoatePolyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearate~3.5–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Polyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearatePropylene glycol~3.1–3.8%
- 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 glycolDimethicone~2.9–3.6%
- 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 DimethiconeZingiber officinale root extract~2–2.4%
- 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 extractTocopheryl acetate~1.4–1.7%
- 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 acetateChrysanthemum parthenium flower/leaf/stem juice~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Calcium sodium borosilicate~1–1.2%
Polyhydroxystearic acid~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation
More about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneSorbitan sesquioleate~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used to help oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Sorbitan sesquioleateSodium chloride~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideAluminum hydroxide~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to add opaque (non-transparent) appearance to formulations. Can be used to coat other ingredients for even dispersion. This is a different ingredient compared to the ones used in antipersperants (aluminium chloride and aluminium chlorohydrate)
More about Aluminum hydroxidePhenoxyethanol~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolTriacontanyl pvp~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.3%
Stearic acid~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidIron oxides~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear
More about Iron oxidesIngredient list view
Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, Water, Isononyl isononanoate, Dicaprylyl ether, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Polyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearate, Propylene glycol, Dimethicone, Zingiber officinale root extract, Tocopheryl acetate, Chrysanthemum parthenium flower/leaf/stem juice, Calcium sodium borosilicate, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Sorbitan sesquioleate, Sodium chloride, Aluminum hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Triacontanyl pvp, Ethylhexylglycerin, Stearic acid, Iron oxides
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Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, we believe that "Neutrogena - Purescreen+ Invisible Daily Defense Mineral Face Liquid with SPF 30" 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 also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen is a mineral sunscreen. It uses titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for sun protection. Both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide almost never irritate even the most sensitive skin and eyes, but can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
It contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of it 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 for 32.44CA$ in Canada and for 11.79$ 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.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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