Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer Broad Spectrum SPF 20
49/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 is a chemical-leaning formula with older-generation filters, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and ethylhexyl salicylate, plus some titanium dioxide. It has a balanced finish, low white cast and a lightweight feel, and its low breakout-trigger profile is generally comfortable for daily wear. However the protection is rated weak, which is reflected in its low score of 49.0. It is best thought of as a light cosmetic enhancer rather than dependable standalone sun protection.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Weak
29
- +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #1, UV filter
- +8 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #2, UV filter
- +33 Titanium Dioxide at #3, UV filter (UVA1 +5)
- β10 UVB coverage saturated
- Γ0.6 Almost no UVA1, poor aging protection
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Health safety
Medium
42
- +100 Starting score
- β36 Octinoxate at #1 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β10 Propylparaben at #35, endocrine-scrutinized preservative
- β7 Retinyl Palmitate at #13, disputed vitamin-A sunlight signal, under review
- β5 Retinol at #14, disputed vitamin-A sunlight signal, under review
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Allergens
Low
70
- +100 Starting score
- β18 Fragrance
- β12 Opaque "Fragrance", hidden allergens that can't be checked from the label
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White cast
Low
91
- +100 Starting score
- β18 Titanium Dioxide, 5.1% declared
- +9 Iron-oxide undertone, partial masking
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Eye sting
Low
67
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Octinoxate at #1, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Octisalate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β8 Fragrance
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Heavy feel
Low
93
- +100 Starting score
- β10 Titanium Dioxide, 5.1% declared
- +2.5 Volatile silicone at #6, flashes off
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Comedogenic
Low
83
- +100 Starting score
- β17 Isopropyl Isostearate at #5, heavy comedogenic ester
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Fungal acne
High
38
- +100 Starting score
- β12 1 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Polysorbate 20)
- β50 5 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-75 Stearate)
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Fabric stains
Medium
45
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Iron-oxide pigments at #31, makeup-like collar marks (washable)
- β15 Titanium Dioxide at #3, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
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Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 3 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Lauroyl Lysine)
- β 5 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 2 Titanium Dioxide at #3, mild sebum absorbent
- β 1 2 fatty-alcohol emollients (Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol)
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 2 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Lauroyl Lysine)
- β 4 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 4 1 slippy emollient esters (Isopropyl Isostearate)
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Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 8 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 0.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate)
- β 7.5 High mineral load at #3 greys under foundation (tinted)
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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 (37)
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 (Octinoxate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 18 UV protection
- β 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Legacy UV filter (Octisalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 8 UV protection
- β 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 33 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 18 5.1% declared
- β 10 5.1% declared
- β 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light β 2 mild sebum absorbent
- pills β 7.5 High mineral load greys under foundation (tinted)
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4 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 17 heavy comedogenic ester
- 4 β dewy slippy emollient ester
-
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
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 14 feeds malassezia
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Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
- 0.5 β nourishing fatty-alcohol emollient
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Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
- 0.5 β nourishing fatty-alcohol emollient
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 7 disputed vitamin-A sunlight signal, under review
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14 Retinol
Supporting ingredient
- β 5 disputed vitamin-A sunlight signal, under review
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15 Arginine
pH adjuster
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
18 BHT
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
19 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 12 feeds malassezia
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
29 Ceteth-20
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
30 Steareth-20
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
31 Iron Oxides
Colorant or pigment
- β 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
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Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
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33 Ethylparaben
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
- β 10 endocrine-scrutinized preservative
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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37 Fragrance
Fragrance
Is this a mineral or chemical sunscreen?
It is mainly chemical. It uses older filters, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and ethylhexyl salicylate, with some titanium dioxide.
Is the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 good?
It scores 49.0 out of 100, a low result, with protection rated weak. It is better seen as a light cosmetic enhancer than as dependable standalone sun protection.
Is the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 good for oily or acne-prone skin?
It is generally agreeable for breakout-prone skin. The breakout-trigger risk is low and the finish is balanced and lightweight, so it commonly sits comfortably.