Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Spray Sunscreen SPF 100+
57/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Spray Sunscreen SPF 100+ is a chemical spray built on older-generation filters including Homosalate, Octocrylene, and Benzophenone-3. It has a balanced finish, stays lightweight, and rates low for white cast, but it is rated high for stinging, so caution near the eyes is wise. Breakout-trigger is low and it works well under makeup. At 57.3/100 with good protection, it is an okay body and face spray.
Ingredient & SPF scores
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UV protection
Good
66
- +30 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +16)
- +12 Homosalate at #2, UV filter
- +8 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #3, UV filter
- +15.2 Octocrylene at #4, UV filter
- +20.9 Benzophenone-3 at #5, UV filter
- β8.9 UVB coverage saturated
- β6.2 UVA2 coverage saturated
- Γ0.9 Limited long-UVA1 coverage
- +2 Label claims (SPF 100)
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Health safety
Low
0
- +100 Starting score
- β70 Oxybenzone at #5 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β14 Homosalate at #2, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β10.5 Octocrylene at #4, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β3.5 Avobenzone at #1, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- +0 2 endocrine-scrutinized filters together
- β7 Retinyl Palmitate at #16, disputed vitamin-A sunlight signal, under review
- +5 Penalties exceed the scale, floored at 0
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Allergens
Low
61
- +100 Starting score
- β18 Fragrance
- β12 Opaque "Fragrance", hidden allergens that can't be checked from the label
- β9 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Benzophenone-3, Octocrylene)
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Eye sting
High
14
- +100 Starting score
- β24 Avobenzone at #1, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β15 Octocrylene at #4, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β11 Oxybenzone at #5, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Homosalate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Octisalate at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β10 Volatile alcohol at #6
- β8 Fragrance
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Fabric stains
High
5
- +100 Starting score
- β50 Avobenzone at #1, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- β20 Oxybenzone at #5, yellow stains on white cotton
- β15 Octocrylene at #4, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- β10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
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Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 13 Volatile alcohol at #6
- β 2 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
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Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 2 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 3 Volatile alcohol at #6
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Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 2 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 6 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #6), fast, even canvas
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Water resistance
Resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +14 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
- β¨ Vitamin C
Full ingredient list (17)
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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Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 30 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 3.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 24 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 50 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
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Legacy UV filter (Homosalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 12 UV protection
- β 14 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Legacy UV filter (Octisalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 8 UV protection
- β 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
Legacy UV filter (Octocrylene)
- β 15.2 UV protection
- β 10.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 15 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 15 co-stains alongside avobenzone
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Legacy UV filter (Oxybenzone)
- β 20.9 UV protection
- β 11 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 20 yellow stains on white cotton
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Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
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Volatile hydrocarbon, flashes off for a light finish
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 7 film former
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Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 7 film former
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12 Fragrance
Fragrance
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Filter booster, photostabilizes the UV filters or lifts their SPF
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 7 disputed vitamin-A sunlight signal, under review
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17 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
What SPF is Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Spray?
It is SPF 100+, and its measured protection rates good. The convenient spray format suits face and body.
Will the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Spray Sunscreen SPF 100+ sting my eyes?
It is rated high for stinging, so keep it well away from the eyes and avoid spraying directly on the face. The finish is balanced and lightweight.
Is it mineral or chemical?
It is chemical, using older-generation filters including Homosalate, Octocrylene, and Benzophenone-3.