Neostrata Sheer Hydration Spf 35
67/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Neostrata Sheer Hydration is an SPF 35 chemical fluid using avobenzone, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and ethylhexyl salicylate. It feels lightweight with a balanced finish, low white cast and a low pore-clogging rating, though it may have a medium chance of mild stinging near the eyes. It rates as a good makeup base. Protection is moderate and the score is 66.8/100, so it is a comfortable, sheer daily option for lighter exposure.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Moderate
39
- +30 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +16)
- +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #2, UV filter
- +8 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #3, UV filter
- Γ0.9 Limited long-UVA1 coverage
- Γ0.75 Avobenzone + octinoxate degrade each other in sunlight
- +1 Label claims (SPF 35)
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
61
- +100 Starting score
- β36 Octinoxate at #2 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β3.5 Avobenzone at #1, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
π₯
Eye sting
Medium
51
- +100 Starting score
- β24 Avobenzone at #1, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β16 Octinoxate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Octisalate at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
π
Fungal acne
Medium
41
- +100 Starting score
- β9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Lecithin)
- β50 5 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-75 Stearate)
π
Fabric stains
Medium
50
- +100 Starting score
- β50 Avobenzone at #1, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
π§
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 5 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 4 Glycerin at #10, the anchor humectant
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 4 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 3 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
π
Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 6 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 1 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 0.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Carbomer)
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance βFull ingredient list (34)
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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Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 30 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 3.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 24 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 50 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
-
Legacy UV filter (Octinoxate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 18 UV protection
- β 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
Legacy UV filter (Octisalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 8 UV protection
- β 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
4 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 5 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 4 volatile carrier, flashes off
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 3 β dewy emollient lipid
-
10 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 4 β nourishing the anchor humectant
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 14 feeds malassezia
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
19 Lecithin
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Botanical extract
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
25 Steareth-20
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
26 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
27 Ceteth-20
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Supporting ingredient
-
29 Carbomer
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Supporting ingredient
Is this mineral or chemical?
It is a chemical sunscreen, using avobenzone, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and ethylhexyl salicylate, with no mineral filters.
Does the Neostrata Sheer Hydration Spf 35 work under makeup?
Yes. It rates as a good makeup base with a lightweight, sheer balanced finish, so it generally layers well under other products.
Is the Neostrata Sheer Hydration Spf 35 a good sunscreen?
It scores 66.8/100 with moderate protection. It is a comfortable daily option best suited to lighter sun exposure.