Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Face Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Spf 50
71/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Face Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 50 is a pure mineral sunscreen using zinc oxide as its sole filter. Despite the dry-touch name it carries a dewy finish, a somewhat heavier feel, and a moderate white cast that is typical of zinc-only formulas, and it does not commonly sting. The low breakout-trigger profile suits sensitive skin. With moderate protection and a score of 71.2/100, it is a gentle mineral face option for those avoiding chemical filters.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Moderate
43
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
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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
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Heavy feel
Medium
60
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Zinc Oxide, 21.6% 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 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)
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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
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Water resistance
Resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +16 2 film-forming polymers that lock the formula on for water resistance
Skincare 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¨ Vitamin E
Full ingredient list (24)
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 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
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2 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 9 β dewy emollient lipid
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Supporting ingredient
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 13 film former
-
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
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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
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Botanical extract
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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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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 3 film former
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
Does this Neutrogena Sheer Zinc leave a white cast?
It has a moderate white cast, which is typical for zinc-only formulas. Careful blending helps it settle on most skin tones.
Is the Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Face Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Spf 50 good for sensitive or acne-prone skin?
Yes, it is gentle. It does not commonly sting and the breakout-trigger risk is low, so sensitive and acne-prone skin tend to tolerate it.
Is it mineral or chemical?
It is pure mineral, using zinc oxide as its sole filter.
What SPF is it, and is it good?
It is SPF 50. It scores 71.2/100 with moderate protection, a gentle mineral face option for those avoiding chemical filters.