Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Spf 50
71/100 overall score
Sign in to see this product's score for your skin.
About this sunscreen
Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch SPF 50 is a pure mineral sunscreen using zinc oxide as its sole UV filter. It has a dewy finish and does not sting, with a low pore-clogging profile, but it sits a touch heavier on the skin and can leave some visible cast, which is common for zinc formulas. It works acceptably under makeup. With a 71.2/100 score and moderate protection, it is a dependable mineral choice for those who prefer chemical-free filters.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Moderate
43
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
π»
White cast
Medium
37
- +100 Starting score
- β55 Zinc Oxide, 21.6% declared
- β15 Pure mineral formula (21.6% total declared)
- +7 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
πͺ¨
Heavy feel
Medium
60
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Zinc Oxide, 21.6% declared
π
Fungal acne
Low
91
- +100 Starting score
- β9 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Glyceryl Behenate)
π
Fabric stains
Low
85
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Zinc Oxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
π§
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 1.5 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
- β 4 Glycerin at #10, the anchor humectant
β¨
Finish
Dewy
MatteDewy
- β 1 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 9 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
π
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 1 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 8 1 velvet elastomer fillers, blur and grip
- β 3 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 15 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation
π
Water resistance
Resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +16 2 film-forming polymers that lock the formula on for water resistance
Full ingredient list (22)
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.
-
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
- β 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
- pills β 15 High mineral load greys under foundation
-
2 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 9 β dewy emollient lipid
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 13 film former
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
10 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 4 β nourishing the anchor humectant
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
13 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Botanical extract
-
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
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 3 film former
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
Is the Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Spf 50 mineral or chemical?
It is a pure mineral sunscreen. Zinc oxide is the sole UV filter, with no chemical filters.
Does the Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Spf 50 leave a white cast?
It can leave some visible cast. Zinc formulas commonly show a light cast, and this one has a dewy finish, so blend it in thoroughly.
Is it any good?
It scores 71.2/100 with moderate protection. It does not sting and is low on pore-clogging, making it a dependable mineral pick, though it sits slightly heavier than chemical formulas.