Ultra Sheer Face & Body Lotion SPF 100

Name: Neutrogena - Ultra Sheer Face & Body Lotion SPF 100
Brand: Neutrogena

SPF 100Efficacy 100/100·Medium irritancy ·4 UV filters

Efficacy measures how well the formula delivers the claims the brand advertises · 3 of 3 advertised claims delivered

We believe that "Neutrogena - Ultra Sheer Face & Body Lotion SPF 100" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed.

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Product summary

We believe that "Neutrogena - Ultra Sheer Face & Body Lotion SPF 100" 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).

It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.

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. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: avobenzone 0.00% (declared), octisalate 0.00% (declared), homosalate 0.00% (declared) and octocrylene 0.00% (declared).

Irritation risk

This product does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this product 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.

Sun protection

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.

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.

UV spectrum

UVB290 nmUVA II320 nmUVA I340 nmVisible400 nm+

Homosalate

Octocrylene

Octisalate

Avobenzone

FilterCoverageWhat it doesEst. amount

HomosalateUVB Photo-stable 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—

OctocryleneUVB Photo-stable 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—

OctisalateEthylhexyl SalicylateUVBOctisalate. 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—

AvobenzoneButyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneUVA1Avobenzone. 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.—

Reef-safe

No oxybenzone or octinoxate — the two filters banned in Hawaii, Florida Keys and Aruba.

Product claims breakdown

Anti-aging

17 key actives in the formula

Strong evidence

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.

Cetyl dimethiconeRole: Key activeA type of silicone. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice, light product texture~3.4–4.1%

Copernicia cerifera waxRole: Key activeHelps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency~1.7–2.1%

DimethiconeRole: Key activeA 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~1.5–1.9%

Hydrogenated castor oilRole: Key activeA plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency~0.7–1.05%

Hydrolyzed jojoba estersRole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.65–1%

Jojoba estersRole: Key activeAn emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function~0.65–1%

Sodium polyacrylateRole: Key activeUsed to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions~0.6–0.9%

HomosalateRole: Key activeA 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 formulation15%

OctocryleneRole: Key activeA 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" sunscreen10%

Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneRole: Key activeAvobenzone. 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.3%

Moisturizing

5 ingredients contribute at the levels below

Good evidence

This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: copernicia cerifera wax, 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).

CETYL DIMETHICONERole: Key activeA type of silicone. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice, light product texture~0.55–0.8%

COPERNICIA CERIFERA WAXRole: Key activeHelps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency~0.6–0.85%

DIMETHICONERole: Key activeA 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~0.55–0.85%

HYDROLYZED JOJOBA ESTERSRole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.55–0.8%

JOJOBA ESTERSRole: Key activeAn emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function~0.55–0.8%

Evens skin tone

Brand does not advertise this — the formula does

Quiet bonus

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).

Cetyl dimethiconeRole: Key activeA type of silicone. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice, light product texture~3.4–4.1%

Copernicia cerifera waxRole: Key activeHelps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency~1.7–2.1%

Hydrolyzed jojoba estersRole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.65–1%

Jojoba estersRole: Key activeAn emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function~0.65–1%

Sodium polyacrylateRole: Key activeUsed to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions~0.6–0.9%

Irritancy

25 low-risk flags; mostly mild

Some risk

We flagged 25 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Acrylates/dimethicone copolymerUsed to stabilize product formulation, help create an even product layer over skin (for example, in sunscreen), evenly disperse pigements and create a nice product consistencyLow~26–31%est.

Aluminum starch octenylsuccinateUsed to thicken the product's consistencyLow~5.1–6.3%est.

Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureLow~4.8–5.9%est.

ChlorphenesinA preservativeLow~0.16–0.32%est.

Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationLow~0.5–1%est.

Ethylhexyl methoxycryleneHelps improve stability of sunscreen filters and boost their effectivenessLow~0.95–1.15%est.

EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeLow~0.7–1.05%est.

Hydrogenated castor oilA plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistencyLow~0.7–1.05%est.

Jojoba estersAn emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier functionLow~0.65–1%est.

Potassium cetyl phosphateHelps oil and water mix togetherLow~0.55–0.85%est.

Tocopheryl acetateA 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.Low~0.5–0.75%est.

HomosalateA 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 formulationLow15%

OctocryleneA 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" sunscreenLow10%

Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneAvobenzone. 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.Low3%

Aluminum starch octenylsuccinateUsed to thicken the product's consistencyLow~0.45–0.7%est.

Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureLow~0.5–0.8%est.

ChlorphenesinA preservativeLow~0.16–0.32%est.

Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationLow~0.45–0.7%est.

Ethylhexyl methoxycryleneHelps improve stability of sunscreen filters and boost their effectivenessLow~0.45–0.7%est.

EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeLow~0.45–0.7%est.

Jojoba estersAn emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier functionLow~0.55–0.8%est.

Potassium cetyl phosphateHelps oil and water mix togetherLow~0.5–0.75%est.

Comedogenic

Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients

Low risk

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Acrylates/dimethicone copolymer~26–31%

Low-irritation

Aluminum starch octenylsuccinate~5.1–6.3%