Neostrata Daytime Protection Cream Spf 23
49/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Neostrata Daytime Protection Cream SPF 23 is a chemical-led formula pairing Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate with some Titanium Dioxide. It has a dewy, lightweight finish with low white cast and generally does not sting, and its low pore-clogging rating suits most skin. It works okay under makeup. With a score of 49.0/100 and weak protection at SPF 23, it is better viewed as a light daytime moisturizer with sun support than a primary high-SPF sunscreen.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Weak
29
- +17.1 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #4, UV filter
- +31.4 Titanium Dioxide at #6, UV filter (UVA1 +4.8)
- β0.3 UVB coverage saturated
- Γ0.6 Almost no UVA1, poor aging protection
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
64
- +100 Starting score
- β36 Octinoxate at #4 (regulatory/evidence concern)
π»
White cast
Low
87
- +100 Starting score
- β17.5 Titanium Dioxide at #6 (nano)
- +1.7 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
- +2.4 Coated minerals (Alumina, Methicone)
π₯
Eye sting
Low
89
- +100 Starting score
- β11 Octinoxate at #4, migrates into eyes with sweat
π΄
Comedogenic
Low
93
- +100 Starting score
- β7 Isopropyl Palmitate at #12, heavy comedogenic ester
π
Fungal acne
Medium
41
- +100 Starting score
- β18 1 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Sorbitan Stearate)
- β41 4 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Isopropyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate)
π
Fabric stains
Low
90
- +100 Starting score
- β10 Titanium Dioxide at #6, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
π§
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 1 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 1 Glycerin at #16, the anchor humectant
- β 1 Humectant polyols
- β 2 Light emollient/solvent (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride)
- β 0.5 1 fatty-alcohol emollients (Cetearyl Alcohol)
β¨
Finish
Dewy
MatteDewy
- β 1 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 1 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate)
- β 9 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
- β 2 1 slippy emollient esters (Isopropyl Palmitate)
π
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 3 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 0.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Polyacrylamide)
- β 3 High mineral load at #6 greys under foundation (nano)
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance βSkincare extras
Beneficial actives this formula contains. Informational only, not part of the rating: their effect depends on a concentration the label does not disclose.
- β¨ Vitamin E
Full ingredient list (35)
What each ingredient does and how it moves each rating: green helps, red hurts, β / β give the direction, and β / β shift a slider toward its ends (finish, moisture, makeup base). Auto-derived from our scoring rules and the ingredient's position.
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1 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 9 β dewy emollient lipid
-
Legacy UV filter (Octinoxate)
- β 17.1 UV protection
- β 11 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant polyol
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Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide)
- β 31.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 10 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- pills β 3 High mineral load greys under foundation (nano)
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 2 β nourishing light emollient
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Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
- 0.5 β nourishing fatty-alcohol emollient
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 18 feeds malassezia
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 7 heavy comedogenic ester
- 2 β dewy slippy emollient ester
- β 14 feeds malassezia
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Botanical extract
-
15 Methicone
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
16 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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17 Dimethicone
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
19 Arginine
pH adjuster
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
23 Alumina
Supporting ingredient
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Supporting ingredient
-
27 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
29 Laureth-7
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- light β 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
Is Neostrata Daytime Protection Cream mineral or chemical?
It is mainly a chemical formula using Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, with some Titanium Dioxide added. It is not a pure mineral product.
Does the Neostrata Daytime Protection Cream Spf 23 leave a white cast?
White cast is rated low, so it should wear clear on most skin tones. The dewy, lightweight finish helps it blend in without visible residue.
What SPF is it and is it good?
It is SPF 23 with weak protection and a score of 49.0/100. It works best as a light daytime moisturizer with some sun support rather than a primary high-SPF sunscreen.