Neutrogena Protector Solar Sun Fresh Hydro Boost FPS 50
92/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Neutrogena Protector Solar Sun Fresh Hydro Boost is a hybrid SPF 50 that combines several modern chemical filters, including Uvinul A Plus, Uvinul T 150, Tinosorb M, and Tinosorb S, with titanium dioxide. It has a low white cast, a balanced lightweight finish, and is unlikely to sting, while rating excellent as a makeup base. Pore-clogging risk is low. With excellent protection and a strong score of 92.3/100, it is an excellent all-round daily pick.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Excellent
100
- +36 Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +22)
- +22 Ethylhexyl Triazone at #3, UV filter
- +38.4 Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol at #8, UV filter (UVA1 +14.4)
- +28.8 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine at #16, UV filter (UVA1 +9.6)
- +9.9 Titanium Dioxide at #22, UV filter (UVA1 +1.5)
- β18.4 UVB coverage saturated
- β14.2 UVA2 coverage saturated
- β2.5 UVA1 coverage saturated
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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
88
- +100 Starting score
- β6 Titanium Dioxide at #22
- β6 Tinosorb M at #8
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Fungal acne
Low
82
- +100 Starting score
- β18 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate)
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Fabric stains
Low
83
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Uvinul A Plus (DHHB) at #2, oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
- β2 Titanium Dioxide at #22, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
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Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 6.5 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Aluminium Starch Octenylsuccinate)
- β 4 Glycerin at #12, the anchor humectant
- β 2 Sodium Hyaluronate at #31, hyaluronic family
- β 1 1 strong humectants (Panthenol)
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 7 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Aluminium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Silica)
- β 5 3 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Diisopropyl Adipate, Caprylyl Methicone, Diisopropyl Sebacate)
- β 6 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
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Makeup base
Excellent
PillsPrimer
- β 1 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 8 1 velvet elastomer fillers, blur and grip
- β 3 1 soft-focus powders in moderation
- β 6 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 1 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer)
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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¨ Niacinamide
Full ingredient list (33)
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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1 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul A Plus), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 36 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 15 oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul T 150), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 22 UV protection
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 6 β dewy emollient lipid
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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
- matte β 2 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 6 sebum-absorbing powder
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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)
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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10 Dimethicone
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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12 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 4 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Tinosorb S), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 28.8 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Film former, locks the formula onto skin for water resistance
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 9.9 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 2 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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28 Panthenol
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
- 1 β nourishing humectant
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29 Fragrance
Fragrance
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30 Silica
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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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 β nourishing hyaluronic family
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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pH adjuster
Is Neutrogena Sun Fresh Hydro Boost good?
It scores 92.3/100 with protection rated excellent, so it is a strong daily sunscreen. It also rates excellent as a makeup base.
Does the Neutrogena Protector Solar Sun Fresh Hydro Boost FPS 50 leave a white cast?
White cast is rated low, so it generally wears clear. The finish is balanced and lightweight.
Is it mineral or chemical?
It is a hybrid that combines modern chemical filters, including Uvinul A Plus, Uvinul T 150, and Tinosorb S, with titanium dioxide.