Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Face Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 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.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · No ingredient credited for this claimWorks 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).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Phenyl trimethicone + 6 moreWorks
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?
Irritancy7 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
2 of 2 community members would buy it again.
i've heard a lot of bad reviews regarding this sunscreen in terms of the texture and white cast, and honestly yes it is very thick and it does leave maybe a 2/5 cast on my skin (light with warm undertones), but it does fade after 30 minutes and does not feel heavy on the skin despite how thick it is upon application. i've been on a sunscreen testing journey and was lucky to find this one at ulta on clearance for $3. this sunscreen works amazingly on my sensitive skin. it has colloidal oatmeal which my skin really enjoys, and the slight cast helps even out the redness in my face. for an spf50 the cast isn't as bad as it could be upon initial application, and it does fade to almost nothing on my skin. the finish is more on the dewy side, but it does not make me feel oily throughout the day. i also like that the formulation is so plain, nothing fancy or complicated. if you're on the fence about this one and have a similar skin tone to me, i would try it! it's not as bad as many reviews make it out to be, but i 100% would not recommend this to those with darker than medium skin, because although the cast fades to almost nothing on my skin, i don't think it would be so invisible on darker skin tones.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Zinc 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%
C12-15 alkyl benzoate~7.4–9%
- 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 benzoateOctyldodecyl citrate crosspolymer~4.7–5.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Styrene/acrylates copolymer~2.8–3.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create an even product consistency. Can help boost efficiency of sunscreen filters
More about Styrene/acrylates copolymerPhenyl trimethicone~2.3–2.8%
- 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~1.8–2.2%
- 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 dimethiconeDimethicone~1.7–2.1%
- 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 DimethiconePolyhydroxystearic acid~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidGlycerin~1.3–1.6%
- 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 GlycerinEthyl methicone~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cetyl dimethicone~0.8–1.2%
- 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 dimethiconeSilica~1–1.2%
Colloidal oatmeal~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to restore skin barrier function, soften the upper layer of the skin and calm down inflammation
More about Colloidal oatmealTocopheryl acetate~0.5–0.75%
- 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~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glyceryl behenate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and help soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl behenatePhenethyl alcohol~0.3–0.55%
Caprylyl glycol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCetyl dimethicone/bis-vinyldimethicone crosspolymer~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acrylates/dimethicone copolymer~0.15–0.3%
- 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 copolymerSodium chloride~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chloridePhenoxyethanol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolChlorphenesin~0.1–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Zinc oxide, Water, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Octyldodecyl citrate crosspolymer, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Phenyl trimethicone, Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone, Dimethicone, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Glycerin, Ethyl methicone, Cetyl dimethicone, Silica, Colloidal oatmeal, Tocopheryl acetate, Chrysanthemum parthenium flower/leaf/stem juice, Glyceryl behenate, Phenethyl alcohol, Caprylyl glycol, Cetyl dimethicone/bis-vinyldimethicone crosspolymer, Acrylates/dimethicone copolymer, Sodium chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
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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 Face Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50YOUR PRODUCT | AveenoBaby Continuous Protection Zinc Oxide Mineral Sunscreen Lotion for Sensitive Skin SPF 50,Water-Resistant | Dr SebaghSun and City Protection SPF 50+ | Bondi SandsSPF50+ Mineral Face Lotion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 47% | 36% | 35% |
| Price | — | $21.53 | — | $10.32 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 4 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Avena Sativa Kernel Flour | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Equate Baby Zinc Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Mineral Lotion, SPF 50SVR Sun Secure Écran Minéral Teinté SPF50+ Dry to Very Dry Skins
Product summary
We believe that "Neutrogena - Sheer Zinc Face Mineral Sunscreen 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).
This product should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day.
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 formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide 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.
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.
- As for using this sunscreen in the eye area, two out of two reviewers say that it doesn't sting eyes.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
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