Neutrogena Ultrasheer Dry-Touch Sunblock, Spf 45
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 45 · 4 UV filtersBroad spectrum
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.
Anti-agingSide benefit the brand mentions · No ingredient credited for this claimWorks well
“Fast-absorbing and waterproof, this non-oily formula is enriched with anti-oxidants to help skin fight the harm caused by environmental damage.”
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 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).
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Dimethicone, Cera alba + 8 moreWorks
“Ultrasheer Dry-Touch Sunblock, Spf 45”
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: cera alba, 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
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Avobenzone. 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.
More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneHomosalate10%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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
More about HomosalateEthylhexyl salicylate5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. 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
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateOctocrylene10%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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
More about OctocryleneWater~45–55%
Styrene/acrylates copolymer~7.4–9.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create an even product consistency. Can help boost efficiency of sunscreen filters
More about Styrene/acrylates copolymerSilica~5.7–7%
Dimethicone~4.7–5.7%
- 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~3.2–3.9%
- 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 alcoholCera alba~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 Cera albaCaprylyl methicone~1.5–1.8%
- 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 methiconeGlyceryl stearate~1.3–1.6%
- 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~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateCetyl dimethicone~0.95–1.15%
- 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~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolEthylhexylglycerin~0.55–0.85%
Aluminum starch octenylsuccinate~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to thicken the product's consistency
More about Aluminum starch octenylsuccinateBehenyl alcohol~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholAcrylates/dimethicone copolymer~0.55–0.85%
- 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~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium polyacrylate~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylateChlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Dimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer~0.5–0.75%
Hydrolyzed jojoba esters~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrolyzed jojoba estersParfum~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumDisodium edta~0.25–0.5%
Ethylhexyl stearate~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Ethylhexyl stearateTocopheryl acetate~0.25–0.45%
- 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~0.2–0.35%
Trideceth-6~0.2–0.4%
Jojoba esters~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function
More about Jojoba estersIngredient list view
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Water, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Silica, Dimethicone, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Benzyl alcohol, Cera alba, Caprylyl methicone, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Cetyl dimethicone, Caprylyl glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, Behenyl alcohol, Acrylates/dimethicone copolymer, Xanthan gum, Sodium polyacrylate, Chlorphenesin, Dimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed jojoba esters, Parfum, Disodium edta, Ethylhexyl stearate, Tocopheryl acetate, Bht, Trideceth-6, Jojoba esters
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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.
| NeutrogenaUltrasheer Dry-Touch Sunblock, Spf 45YOUR PRODUCT | La Roche-PosayAnthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen for Face & Body SPF 100 | SkinCeuticalsSport UV Defense SPF 50 | DaylogicKids Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 47% | 46% | 46% |
| Price | — | $20.99 | $42.00 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 9 | 4 of 9 | 4 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Panthenol | Artemia Extract | Glycerin |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 45 | SPF 100 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Eucerin Age Defense, Lightweight Sunscreen Lotion For Face, SPF 50Face Reality Skincare Brilliant Defense SPF 50
Product summary
We believe that "Neutrogena - Ultrasheer Dry-Touch Sunblock, Spf 45" 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).
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: oxybenzone 3.00% (declared), avobenzone 22.00% - 34.00%, octinoxate 0.00% - 0.00%, octisalate 5.00% (declared) and homosalate 0.00% - 0.00%.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this product to be high. 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 5 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 5
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