Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 Invisible Daily Defense Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
65/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 is a chemical sunscreen using an older-generation filter blend (avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate and octocrylene). It wears lightweight with a matte finish and low white cast, and works well under makeup, though it may sting slightly for sensitive users. SPF 30 delivers good daily protection and the formula is low in pore-clogging risk. Its score of 65/100 reflects solid everyday performance from a dated but reliable filter set.
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)
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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
Medium
31
- +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
- β4 Volatile alcohol at #9
- β8 Fragrance
π
Fungal acne
Low
82
- +100 Starting score
- β18 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Glyceryl Stearate, Trideceth-6)
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
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Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 5 Volatile alcohol at #9
- β 3 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 10 Glycerin at #6, the anchor humectant
β¨
Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- β 3 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 1 Volatile alcohol at #9
- β 4 3 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Diisopropyl Adipate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Caprylyl Methicone)
π
Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 1 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 2 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #9), fast, even canvas
- β 3 1 soft-focus powders in moderation
- β 4 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 0.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer)
- β 1.5 Humectant syrup tackiness (partly offset by the base)
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +3 1 film-forming polymers that lock the formula on for water resistance
Full ingredient list (29)
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
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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
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5 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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6 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 10 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 2 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
-
10 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Film former, locks the formula onto skin for water resistance
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 3 film former
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
22 Fragrance
Fragrance
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
pH adjuster
-
26 Trideceth-6
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Botanical extract
-
28 Ci 19140
Colorant or pigment
-
29 FD&C Red 40
Colorant or pigment
Does the Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 Invisible Daily Defense Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 work under makeup?
Yes, it works well as a makeup base. It dries to a matte finish with low white cast, though it may sting slightly for sensitive users.
Is this a mineral or chemical sunscreen?
It is a chemical sunscreen using an older-generation blend of avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate and octocrylene.
What SPF is the Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 Invisible Daily Defense Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 and is it good?
It is SPF 30, giving good daily protection. With a score of 65/100, it is a reliable lightweight everyday lotion from a dated but proven filter set.