Blue Lizard Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion for Face SPF 50 Versus Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Invisible Gel Face Sunscreen SPF 40
This mineral sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
This chemical sunscreen covers most of the UV range, lighter on the deep UVA that drives aging.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Titanium Dioxide 8%
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide 10%
Cosmetic Colorant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Alanine
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Alumina
Abrasive
Aluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantAnetholea Anisata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Glycine
Buffering
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningIsostearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Isostearyl Isostearate
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Oryza Sativa Germ Extract
EmollientPCA
Humectant
Phenylalanine
Masking
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Pongamia Pinnata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Serine
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Tasmannia Lanceolata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Valine
MaskingVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Water
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTitanium Dioxide 8%, Zinc Oxide 10%, 1,2-Hexanediol, Alanine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Alumina, Aluminum Stearate, Anetholea Anisata Leaf Extract, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Glycerin, Glycine, Glycine Soja Oil, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Histidine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Isoleucine, Isostearyl Alcohol, Isostearyl Isostearate, Oryza Sativa Extract, Oryza Sativa Germ Extract, PCA, Phenylalanine, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Pongamia Pinnata Seed Extract, Proline, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Serine, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Sorbitan Isostearate, Squalane, Tasmannia Lanceolata Leaf Extract, Threonine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Valine, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Water, Xanthan Gum
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 15%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 10%
UV Absorber
Isododecane
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Polyester-7
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Tocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
