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Product Comparison

Published on April 04, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain SPF and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for brightening skin

Free From

They both do not contain any oils, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Sunscreen American Brand United States
Sunscreen American Brand United States

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Price

Shop

Buy Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50

Starts at $14.49
Shop

Buy Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55

Starts at $10.15

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
50
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
55

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Mineral UV Filter
Vitamin E
Niacinamide

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
Acne Trigger
Rosacea

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (4)
Vitamin E
Exfoliators

Benefits

Brightening

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (5)
Eczema (4)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol

Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 6.

Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 16.

2
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Caprylyl Methicone is a type of silicone.

It helps soften and soothe the skin by creating a thin film on top. This film helps trap moisture, keeping your skin hydrated.

Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 7.

Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 12.

3
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 8.

Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 8.

4
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 10.

Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 17.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 26.

Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 5.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

31% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
38% are disliked or very disliked
23% have no rating yet
9% are loved or liked
6% have mixed ratings
69% are disliked or very disliked
16% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 26 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 5 ratings
Pilling (1)
UnidentifiedFlyingOkra's avatar

UnidentifiedFlyingOkra

9 months ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

just ok
Slightly more drying, irritating, clogging, and expensive(lol) than my current US drugstore mineral favorite - Banana Boat Baby/Sensitive....

just ok
Slightly more drying, irritating, clogging, and expensive(lol) than my current US drugstore mineral favorite - Banana Boat Baby/Sensitive. Despite a lovely, runny texture still leaves almost as much of a white cast on my white/fair-toned skin than BBB which is classically thick & goopy stuff - both are likely incompatible with darker skin tones unfortunately. FA safe and overall probably better option for fungal acne sufferers than most other US drugstore sunscreens, but at less than half the price, a bigger tube, and a formula that works slightly better for my skin, I'll stick with BBB going forward 'til I have more time to research chemical filters. Good luck in your search!

sophii444's avatar

sophii444

4 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

It doesn't feel very hydrating and leaves a white cast on my face.

Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 32 ingredients

2.5 /5
from 2 ratings
Drying (2) Great Value (1) Absorbs Well (1) Irritating (1) Light Scent (1) Pilling (1)
KadriReede_527's avatar

KadriReede_527

1 month ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

I really like it in springtime and summertime. It is so moisturizing and sinks in fast. And tube is big. Last a long time.
Sometimes irritates...

I really like it in springtime and summertime. It is so moisturizing and sinks in fast. And tube is big. Last a long time.
Sometimes irritates eyes a bit. Not everytime.
But i really don't like it at all in wintertime. It feels so drying on my sentsitive skin then.
Overall I think I would even consider buying this again.

LunaBurk_406's avatar

LunaBurk_406

28 days ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

stings eyes so bad, leaves white cast, irritates skin it’s very bad

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55.

See 50 alternatives
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