Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry Touch Sunscreen Spf50+
71/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF50+ is a pure mineral, zinc oxide based sunscreen aimed at sensitive skin. It has a balanced finish and a non-stinging feel, with a moderate white cast and a somewhat heavier wear that is common for zinc formulas; it sits poorly under makeup. Pore-clogging risk is low. Protection is moderate and the score is 70.5/100, making it a gentle mineral option best worn on its own.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Moderate
43
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
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White cast
Medium
41
- +100 Starting score
- β55 Zinc Oxide at #2
- β15 Pure mineral formula
- +7 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
- +4.4 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane)
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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 #2, 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 #2, mild sebum absorbent
- β 4 Glycerin at #9, the anchor humectant
β¨
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 #2 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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1 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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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 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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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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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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9 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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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
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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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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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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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 Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry Touch leave a white cast?
It can leave a moderate white cast, which is common for zinc-based mineral sunscreens, especially on deeper skin tones.
Does the Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry Touch Sunscreen Spf50+ work under makeup?
It generally sits poorly under makeup and wears a little heavier than some formulas, so it is usually best worn on its own.
Is it good for sensitive skin?
It is aimed at sensitive skin. As a pure zinc oxide sunscreen it is non-stinging with low pore-clogging risk and moderate protection.