Neutrogena Beach Defense® Water + Sun Protection Sunscreen Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 70
57/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Neutrogena Beach Defense Water + Sun Protection Spray SPF 70 is a high-SPF chemical sunscreen using avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, and oxybenzone for water-resistant beach cover. It is lightweight with a balanced finish and low white cast and works well as a makeup base, but it can sting noticeably near the eyes. The older filter set holds the rating to 57.4/100 despite good protection. A practical sport and beach spray, best kept away from the eye area.
Ingredient & SPF scores
☀️
UV protection
Good
66
- +30 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +16)
- +12 Homosalate at #2, UV filter
- +8 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #3, UV filter
- +15.2 Octocrylene at #4, UV filter
- +20.9 Benzophenone-3 at #5, UV filter
- −8.9 UVB coverage saturated
- −6.2 UVA2 coverage saturated
- ×0.9 Limited long-UVA1 coverage
- +2 Label claims (SPF 70)
☢️
Health safety
Low
2
- +100 Starting score
- −70 Oxybenzone at #5 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- −14 Homosalate at #2, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- −10.5 Octocrylene at #4, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- −3.5 Avobenzone at #1, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- +0 2 endocrine-scrutinized filters together
🤧
Allergens
Low
61
- +100 Starting score
- −18 Fragrance
- −12 Opaque "Fragrance", hidden allergens that can't be checked from the label
- −9 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Benzophenone-3, Octocrylene)
🔥
Eye sting
High
14
- +100 Starting score
- −24 Avobenzone at #1, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −15 Octocrylene at #4, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −11 Oxybenzone at #5, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −9 Homosalate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −9 Octisalate at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −10 Volatile alcohol at #6
- −8 Fragrance
👕
Fabric stains
High
5
- +100 Starting score
- −50 Avobenzone at #1, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- −20 Oxybenzone at #5, yellow stains on white cotton
- −15 Octocrylene at #4, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- −10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
✨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- ← 3 Volatile alcohol at #6
- ← 1 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate)
💄
Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- → 6 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #6), fast, even canvas
🌊
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +7 1 film-forming polymers that lock the formula on for water resistance
Skincare extras
Beneficial actives this formula contains. Informational only, not part of the rating: their effect depends on a concentration the label does not disclose.
- ✨ Vitamin E
Full ingredient list (12)
What each ingredient does and how it moves each rating: green helps, red hurts, ↑ / ↓ give the direction, and ← / → 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
- ↑ 30 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- ↓ 3.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- ↑ 24 migrates into eyes with sweat
- ↑ 50 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
-
Legacy UV filter (Homosalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- ↑ 12 UV protection
- ↓ 14 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- ↑ 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Legacy UV filter (Octisalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- ↑ 8 UV protection
- ↑ 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
Legacy UV filter (Octocrylene)
- ↑ 15.2 UV protection
- ↓ 10.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- ↑ 15 migrates into eyes with sweat
- ↑ 15 co-stains alongside avobenzone
-
Legacy UV filter (Oxybenzone)
- ↑ 20.9 UV protection
- ↑ 11 migrates into eyes with sweat
- ↑ 20 yellow stains on white cotton
-
Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
-
Volatile hydrocarbon, flashes off for a light finish
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte ← 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- ↑ 7 film former
-
Filter booster, photostabilizes the UV filters or lifts their SPF
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
12 Fragrance
Fragrance
What SPF is Neutrogena Beach Defense spray?
It is SPF 70, a high level aimed at beach and sport use. It is a chemical spray using avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, and oxybenzone for water-resistant cover.
Does the Neutrogena Beach Defense® Water + Sun Protection Sunscreen Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 70 sting the eyes?
Yes, the sting rating is high, so it can sting noticeably if it reaches the eyes. Keep the spray away from the eye area and apply carefully.
Is it good under makeup?
Its base under makeup is rated good, with a balanced finish and low white cast. That said, it is primarily a body and face beach spray rather than a daily makeup-friendly formula.