Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen Spray SPF 30
65/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Neutrogena Beach Defense is an SPF 30 sunscreen spray built on an older chemical filter set including Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Octocrylene, and Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane. It has a balanced finish, stays lightweight, shows low white cast, and works well under makeup, but it carries a high chance of stinging, so caution near the eyes is sensible. It is low on pore-clogging. With good protection but an older filter profile, it scores 64.6.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
60
- +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
- Γ0.9 Limited long-UVA1 coverage
- +1 Label claims (SPF 30)
β’οΈ
Health safety
Medium
46
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Homosalate at #2 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β10.5 Octocrylene at #4, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β3.5 Avobenzone at #1, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
π€§
Allergens
Low
67
- +100 Starting score
- β18 Fragrance
- β12 Opaque "Fragrance", hidden allergens that can't be checked from the label
- β3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
π₯
Eye sting
High
25
- +100 Starting score
- β24 Avobenzone at #1, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β15 Octocrylene at #4, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Homosalate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Octisalate at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β10 Volatile alcohol at #5
- β8 Fragrance
π
Fabric stains
High
25
- +100 Starting score
- β50 Avobenzone at #1, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- β15 Octocrylene at #4, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- β10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 3 Volatile alcohol at #5
- β 3 2 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate)
π
Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 6 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #5), fast, even canvas
- β 3 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
π
Water resistance
Resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +14 2 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.
- β¨ Vitamin E
Full ingredient list (12)
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 (Homosalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 12 UV protection
- β 9 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
-
Legacy UV filter (Octocrylene)
- β 15.2 UV protection
- β 10.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 15 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 15 co-stains alongside avobenzone
-
Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
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Volatile hydrocarbon, flashes off for a light finish
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 2 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
-
Film former, locks the formula onto skin for water resistance
- β 7 film former
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 7 film former
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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11 Fragrance
Fragrance
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
Does Neutrogena Beach Defense sting?
It carries a high chance of stinging, so it is sensible to avoid the eye area. It does stay lightweight with low white cast.
Does the Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 work under makeup?
Yes, it is rated good as a makeup base and is low on pore-clogging. It has a balanced finish and shows low white cast.
Is Neutrogena Beach Defense any good?
It scores 64.6 out of 100 with good protection. The score is held back by an older chemical filter set and a higher chance of stinging.