Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion Spf 30
72/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
The Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 is a pure mineral sunscreen using zinc oxide as its sole filter. It has a balanced finish with a medium, moderately noticeable white cast and a lightweight feel, though it is rated poor as a makeup base. It is rated moderate for protection at SPF 30, fitting daily wear. With a score of 71.7/100 it is a dependable single-filter mineral lotion for those who prefer zinc oxide and a dry-touch feel.
Ingredient & SPF scores
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UV protection
Moderate
42
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +1 Label claims (SPF 30)
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White cast
Medium
52
- +100 Starting score
- β42 Zinc Oxide, 18.2% declared
- β15 Pure mineral formula (18.2% total declared)
- +5.7 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
- +3.6 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane)
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Heavy feel
Low
70
- +100 Starting score
- β30 Zinc Oxide, 18.2% declared
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Fungal acne
Low
91
- +100 Starting score
- β9 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Glyceryl Behenate)
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Fabric stains
Low
85
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Zinc Oxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
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Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 3 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
- β 4 Glycerin at #8, the anchor humectant
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Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 3 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 9 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
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Makeup base
Poor
PillsPrimer
- β 3 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 3 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 8 Powder overload over a film former, some pilling risk
- β 15 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation
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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.
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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 42 18.2% declared
- β 30 18.2% 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
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2 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 9 β dewy emollient lipid
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 13 film former
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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8 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 4 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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11 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
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Supporting ingredient
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 3 film former
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Botanical extract
Does the Neutrogena Sheer Zinc lotion leave a white cast?
It can leave a moderate cast, since white cast is rated medium, which is common for pure zinc oxide formulas. The finish is balanced with a dry-touch feel. Lighter application can help.
Is the Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion Spf 30 mineral or chemical?
It is pure mineral, using zinc oxide as its only filter. There are no chemical filters. It suits those who prefer zinc-based sunscreens.
Is it good under makeup?
Not especially. It is rated poor as a makeup base, so it works better worn on its own. It scores 71.7/100 with moderate protection at SPF 30.