Neutrogena Hydro Boost SPF 50 Fluid
94/100 overall score
Sign in to see this product's score for your skin.
About this sunscreen
Neutrogena Hydro Boost SPF 50 Fluid is a chemical sunscreen using a concise modern filter trio of Uvinul T 150, Uvinul A Plus and Tinosorb M. It has no white cast, a balanced finish and a lightweight, fluid feel, does not sting, and it is generally rated as a good makeup base. Protection is excellent and the formula is acne-friendly with low pore-clogging potential. The top score of 93.8/100 makes it the standout daily sunscreen in this group.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Excellent
92
- +22 Ethylhexyl Triazone at #3, UV filter
- +34.2 Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate at #4, UV filter (UVA1 +20.9)
- +38.4 Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol at #8, UV filter (UVA1 +14.4)
- β2.8 UVB coverage saturated
- β1.5 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
π
Fungal acne
Low
91
- +100 Starting score
- β9 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Glyceryl Stearate)
π
Fabric stains
Low
85
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Uvinul A Plus (DHHB) at #4, oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
π§
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 5 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Aluminium Starch Octenylsuccinate)
- β 4 Glycerin at #12, the anchor humectant
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 6 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Aluminium Starch Octenylsuccinate)
- β 5 3 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Caprylyl Methicone, Diisopropyl Adipate, Diisopropyl Sebacate)
- β 9 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
π
Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 1 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 3 1 soft-focus powders in moderation
- β 6 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
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¨ Niacinamide
Full ingredient list (13)
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.
-
1 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 9 β dewy emollient lipid
-
Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul T 150), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 22 UV protection
-
Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul A Plus)
- β 34.2 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 15 oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 2 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 2 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
-
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 6 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Tinosorb M), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 38.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
-
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
10 Dimethicone
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
-
12 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 4 β nourishing the anchor humectant
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
Does Neutrogena Hydro Boost SPF 50 Fluid leave a white cast?
No, it does not leave a white cast. It is a chemical fluid with modern filters that dries to a balanced, lightweight finish and is generally rated as a good base under makeup.
Is the Neutrogena Hydro Boost SPF 50 Fluid good for oily or acne-prone skin?
Yes, it suits oily and acne-prone skin well. The lightweight fluid texture is acne-friendly with low pore-clogging potential, and it does not sting.
Is this sunscreen any good?
Yes, it is the standout in this group at 93.8/100, offering excellent protection from a concise modern filter trio of Uvinul T 150, Uvinul A Plus and Tinosorb M.