Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion - SPF 30
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 1 UV filterBroad 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
“Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Oxide Dry-Touch Mineral Sunscreen Lotion with Broad Spectrum SPF 30Provides superior SPF 30 protection against aging UVA and burning UVB rays to help prevent sunburnSpecially formulated water-resistant sunscreen lotion made with naturally-sourced 100% zinc oxideOil-free sunscreen contains Purescreen Technology to absorb, reflect & scatter dangerous sunraysFeatures Dry-Touch technology to help ensure this mineral sunscreen dries with a non-greasy finish”
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 · 7 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
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, caprylyl 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, phenyl trimethicone.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Zinc oxide18.2%
- 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~40–60%
C12-15 alkyl benzoate~6.9–10.4%
- 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 benzoateStyrene/acrylates copolymer~4.1–6.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create an even product consistency. Can help boost efficiency of sunscreen filters
More about Styrene/acrylates copolymerDimethicone~2.8–4.2%
- 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 DimethiconePhenyl trimethicone~2.1–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that can decrease loss of moisture from the skin surface. It helps create a nice product texture
More about Phenyl trimethiconeCetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone~1.6–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps water and oil mix together. Can help to soften upper layer of the skin
More about Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethiconeGlycerin~1.5–2.2%
- 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 GlycerinPolyhydroxystearic acid~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidDipropylene glycol dibenzoate~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Silica~1.1–1.7%
Cetyl dimethicone~0.6–1.35%
- 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 dimethiconeTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.45–1.05%
- 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilanePhenoxyethanol~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolGlyceryl behenate~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and help soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl behenateSodium chloride~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideAcrylates/dimethicone copolymer~0.15–0.6%
- 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 copolymerPpg-15 stearyl ether benzoate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Chlorphenesin~0.1–0.3%
Phenethyl alcohol~0.05–0.25%
Caprylyl glycol~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolChrysanthemum parthenium flower/leaf/stem juice~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Zinc oxide, Water, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Dimethicone, Phenyl trimethicone, Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone, Glycerin, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Dipropylene glycol dibenzoate, Silica, Cetyl dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl behenate, Sodium chloride, Acrylates/dimethicone copolymer, Ppg-15 stearyl ether benzoate, Chlorphenesin, Phenethyl alcohol, Caprylyl glycol, Chrysanthemum parthenium flower/leaf/stem juice
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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.
| NeutrogenaSheer Zinc Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion - SPF 30YOUR PRODUCT | AveenoPositively Mineral Sensitive Skin Daily Sunscreen Lotion with SPF 50 Sheer Sunscreen for Face & Body | |
|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 50% |
| Price | $12.49 | $9.97−$2.52 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Avena Sativa Kernel Flour |
| Irritancy | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop |
Product summary
We believe that "Neutrogena - Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion - SPF 30" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen is a mineral sunscreen. It uses zinc oxide for sun protection. Zinc oxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
This sunscreen contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of it to be low. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 71.00A$ in Australia and for 12.49$ 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 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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- 6
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