Neutrogena Mineral Invisible Daily Defense Face Liquid SPF 30
80/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Neutrogena Mineral Invisible Daily Defense Face Liquid SPF 30 is a pure mineral sunscreen using Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. It is formulated to keep white cast low with a balanced finish and is generally low on pore-clogging, though mineral liquids can feel slightly heavier on skin. With a good protection rating and a 79.8/100 score, it is a clean-leaning daily face option for sensitive and mineral-preferring skin.
Ingredient & SPF scores
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UV protection
Good
74
- +33 Titanium Dioxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +5)
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- β1 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +1 Label claims (SPF 30)
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White cast
Low
67
- +100 Starting score
- β55 Zinc Oxide, 21.6% declared
- β7 Titanium Dioxide, 4.9% declared
- β10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- β15 Pure mineral formula (26.5% total declared)
- +43.5 Iron-oxide undertone, partial masking
- +4.3 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
- +5.9 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide)
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Heavy feel
Medium
40
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Zinc Oxide, 21.6% declared
- β10 Titanium Dioxide, 4.9% declared
- β10 Both minerals in the top 3, dual mineral paste
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Fungal acne
Low
77
- +100 Starting score
- β12 1 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Sorbitan Sesquioleate)
- β9 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate)
- β2 1 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
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Fabric stains
Medium
40
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Iron-oxide pigments at #10, makeup-like collar marks (washable)
- β15 Titanium Dioxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- β5 Both minerals present, heavier deposit
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Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
- β 2 Titanium Dioxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
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Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 3 2 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Dicaprylyl Ether, Isononyl Isononanoate)
- β 6 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
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Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 1 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 3 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 7.5 High mineral load at #1 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 βFull ingredient list (23)
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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Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 33 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 7 4.9% declared
- β 10 4.9% 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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Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 55 21.6% declared
- β 40 21.6% declared
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
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Supporting ingredient
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 6 β dewy emollient lipid
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Colorant or pigment
-
Botanical extract
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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
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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10 Iron Oxides
Colorant or pigment
- β 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 12 feeds malassezia
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18 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Film former, locks the formula onto skin for water resistance
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Supporting ingredient
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22 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Botanical extract
Does Neutrogena Mineral Invisible SPF 30 leave a white cast?
White cast is rated low and the formula is designed to wear invisibly, so it should be more wearable than many mineral options. Mineral liquids can feel slightly heavier on skin.
Is the Neutrogena Mineral Invisible Daily Defense Face Liquid SPF 30 mineral or chemical?
It is a pure mineral sunscreen, using only Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. That suits those who prefer mineral filters.
Is it good for sensitive or acne-prone skin?
It may suit both. It is rated low for pore-clogging, and mineral filters are commonly chosen by people with sensitive skin.