Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Face Liquid Sunscreen, SPF 50
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 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 support
“For Sunscreen Use Apply generously 15 minutes before sun exposure Reapply After 80 minutes of swimming or sweating Immediately after towel drying At least every 2 hours Sun Protection Measures Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early 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 support
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 · 11 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: beeswax, dimethicone.
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?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
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Water~45–55%
Silica~6.9–8.5%
Caprylyl methicone~4.3–5.2%
- 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 methiconeDiisopropyl adipate~3.1–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Diisopropyl adipateDimethicone~2.4–2.9%
- 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 DimethiconePotassium cetyl phosphate~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateBenzyl alcohol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholBeeswax~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
More about BeeswaxGlyceryl stearate~1.2–1.5%
- 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~1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateCetyl dimethicone~0.75–1.1%
- 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 dimethiconeCaprylyl glycol~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolEthylhexylglycerin~0.55–0.8%
Behenyl alcohol~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholSodium polyacrylate~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylateAcrylates/dimethicone copolymer~0.5–0.7%
- 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 copolymerXanthan gum~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumChlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Dimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer~0.35–0.65%
Ethylhexyl stearate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Ethylhexyl stearateHydrolyzed jojoba esters~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrolyzed jojoba estersParfum~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumDisodium edta~0.3–0.55%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.3–0.55%
- 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 acetateBht~0.3–0.55%
Trideceth-6~0.3–0.55%
Jojoba esters~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function
More about Jojoba estersTitanium 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 oxide2.9%
- 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~0.3–0.55%
Silica~0.45–0.7%
Caprylyl methicone~0.3–0.5%
- 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 methiconeDiisopropyl adipate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Diisopropyl adipateDimethicone~0.35–0.65%
- 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 DimethiconePotassium cetyl phosphate~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateBenzyl alcohol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholBeeswax~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
More about BeeswaxGlyceryl stearate~0.35–0.6%
- 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~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateCetyl dimethicone~0.3–0.6%
- 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 dimethiconeCaprylyl glycol~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolEthylhexylglycerin~0.3–0.55%
Behenyl alcohol~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholSodium polyacrylate~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylateAcrylates/dimethicone copolymer~0.3–0.55%
- 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 copolymerXanthan gum~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumChlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Dimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer~0.25–0.45%
Ethylhexyl stearate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Ethylhexyl stearateHydrolyzed jojoba esters~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrolyzed jojoba estersParfum~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumDisodium edta~0.15–0.25%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.15–0.3%
- 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 acetateBht~0.1–0.25%
Trideceth-6~0.1–0.2%
Jojoba esters~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function
More about Jojoba estersIngredient list view
Water, Silica, Caprylyl methicone, Diisopropyl adipate, Dimethicone, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Benzyl alcohol, Beeswax, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Cetyl dimethicone, Caprylyl glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Behenyl alcohol, Sodium polyacrylate, Acrylates/dimethicone copolymer, Xanthan gum, Chlorphenesin, Dimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl stearate, Hydrolyzed jojoba esters, Parfum, Disodium edta, Tocopheryl acetate, Bht, Trideceth-6, Jojoba esters, Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, Water, Silica, Caprylyl methicone, Diisopropyl adipate, Dimethicone, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Benzyl alcohol, Beeswax, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Cetyl dimethicone, Caprylyl glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Behenyl alcohol, Sodium polyacrylate, Acrylates/dimethicone copolymer, Xanthan gum, Chlorphenesin, Dimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl stearate, Hydrolyzed jojoba esters, Parfum, Disodium edta, Tocopheryl acetate, Bht, Trideceth-6, Jojoba esters
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Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, we assess that "Neutrogena - Sensitive Skin Face Liquid Sunscreen, SPF 50" can provide 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
It 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
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 from 11.19$ up to 165.00$ 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 7 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 3A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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