Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Liquid SPF 70 Mineral Sunscreen
80/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Liquid SPF 70 is a pure mineral sunscreen using titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. It has a balanced finish and stays lightweight, though it carries a medium, somewhat visible white cast typical of high-SPF mineral formulas. It does not sting and has low pore-clogging potential, so it is generally agreeable for sensitive skin, but it is a poor base for makeup. With good protection and a score of 80/100, it is a reliable mineral option for those who do not mind a slight cast.
Ingredient & SPF scores
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UV protection
Good
75
- +33 Titanium Dioxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +5)
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- β1 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 70)
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White cast
Medium
46
- +100 Starting score
- β28 Zinc Oxide, 14.4% declared
- β18 Titanium Dioxide, 6.6% declared
- β10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- β15 Pure mineral formula (21% total declared)
- +7.1 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
- +9.6 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide)
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Heavy feel
Low
62
- +100 Starting score
- β18 Zinc Oxide, 14.4% declared
- β10 Titanium Dioxide, 6.6% declared
- β10 Both minerals in the top 3, dual mineral paste
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Fungal acne
Medium
63
- +100 Starting score
- β12 1 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Sorbitan Olivate)
- β23 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Cetearyl Olivate, Steareth-21)
- β2 1 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
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Fabric stains
Low
80
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Titanium Dioxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- β5 Both minerals present, heavier deposit
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Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
- β 2 Titanium Dioxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
- β 10 Glycerin at #5, the anchor humectant
- β 2 Light emollient/solvent (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride)
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Makeup base
Poor
PillsPrimer
- β 1 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 3 Humectant syrup tackiness
- β 15 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation
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Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +7 1 film-forming polymers that lock the formula on for water resistance
Full ingredient list (26)
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 (Titanium Dioxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 33 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 18 6.6% declared
- β 10 6.6% declared
- β 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light β 2 mild sebum absorbent
- pills β 15 High mineral load greys under foundation
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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 28 14.4% declared
- β 18 14.4% declared
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
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3 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 2 β nourishing light emollient
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5 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 10 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Filter booster, photostabilizes the UV filters or lifts their SPF
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Film former, locks the formula onto skin for water resistance
- β 7 film former
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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10 Steareth-21
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 14 feeds malassezia
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Colorant or pigment
-
Film former, locks the formula onto skin for water resistance
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Supporting ingredient
-
15 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
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Supporting ingredient
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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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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20 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 12 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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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
Does the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Liquid SPF 70 Mineral Sunscreen leave a white cast?
It can. White cast is rated medium, which is common for high-SPF pure mineral formulas built on titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
Is the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Liquid SPF 70 Mineral Sunscreen good for sensitive or acne-prone skin?
It is generally agreeable. The formula does not sting and has low pore-clogging potential, which commonly suits sensitive skin, though it is a poor base for makeup.
Is it mineral or chemical?
It is purely mineral, using titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
Is SPF 70 worth it and is it good?
It scores 80/100 with good protection. It is a reliable mineral option for those who do not mind a slight white cast.