Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunscreen Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 5 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.
Anti-aging2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“This sunscreen is formulated with Helioplex Technology, which offers superior broad spectrum protection from aging UVA rays and burning UVB rays.”
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 · 1 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 · 1 ingredient credited for this claimGood support
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: 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?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Benzophenone-3, Parfum + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh 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 OctocryleneBenzophenone-35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Same as oxybenzone. Protects in the UVB and short UVA range. In small concentrations, used to stabilize product formulation. Can be irritating. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can penetrate the skin and get absorbed into bloodstream faster than other popular filters available in the US. The study that produced this finding did not address any potential health effects of the absorption
More about Benzophenone-3Acrylates/dimethicone copolymer~23–34%
- 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 copolymerAcrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer~6.4–9.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Alcohol denat.~4.6–6.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Ascorbyl palmitate~3.7–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable and can penetrate the skin better than L-Ascorbic acid. It is effective in protecting the skin from free radicals, as well as evening the skin tone, but is less effective in stimulating collagen production compared to L-Ascorbic acid.
More about Ascorbyl palmitateCetyl dimethicone/bis-vinyldimethicone crosspolymer~2.9–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Diethylhexyl 2,6-naphthalate~2.2–3.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dimethicone~1.9–2.8%
- 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 DimethiconeDimethyl ether~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ethyl methicone~0.95–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Parfum~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumNelumbo nucifera flower wax~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octyldodecyl citrate crosspolymer~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Retinyl palmitate~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateTocopheryl acetate~0.05–0.25%
- 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 acetateIngredient list view
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Benzophenone-3, Acrylates/dimethicone copolymer, Acrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer, Alcohol denat., Ascorbyl palmitate, Cetyl dimethicone/bis-vinyldimethicone crosspolymer, Diethylhexyl 2,6-naphthalate, Dimethicone, Dimethyl ether, Ethyl methicone, Parfum, Nelumbo nucifera flower wax, Octyldodecyl citrate crosspolymer, Retinyl palmitate, Tocopheryl acetate
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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.
| NeutrogenaWet Skin Sunscreen Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 50YOUR PRODUCT | La Roche-PosayUltra Light Sunscreen Lotion Spray Face and Body SPF 60 | Banana BoatDry Balance Clear UltraMist Sunscreen, SPF 30 | DaylogicUltra Sheer Spray, SPF 85 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 51% | 50% | 50% |
| Price | $11.99 | $26.99+$15.00 | $2.04−$9.95 | $5.99−$6.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Peg-10 Dimethicone | Mineral Oil | Cocos Nucifera Oil |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 60 | SPF 30 | SPF 85 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, we believe that "Neutrogena - Wet Skin Sunscreen Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 50" can offer reliable sun protection. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: oxybenzone 5.00% (declared), avobenzone 3.00% (declared), octisalate 5.00% (declared), homosalate 10.00% (declared) and octocrylene 10.00% (declared).
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails from 11.99$ up to 24.99$ 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 6 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4On Photostability of Oxybenzonecore.ac.uk
- 5
- 6Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
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