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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Cetaphil Sun SPF 50 Light Gel versus Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen Lotion - SPF 55 .

Last updated on January 01, 2024. Published on April 20, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants and SPF

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 Sun SPF 50 Light Gel

Shop

Buy Clear Face Sunscreen Lotion - SPF 55

Starts at $41.69

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

Chemical UV Filter (5)
Mineral UV Filter (2)
Vitamin E
Exfoliators

Benefits

Hydrating
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (3)

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (5)
Exfoliators

Benefits

Reduces Irritation

Concerns

Acne Trigger
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (3)
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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: 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 Sun SPF 50 Light Gel contains this as ingredient number 1.

Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen Lotion - SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 6.

2
What it does: Antimicrobial, Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.

As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.

This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.

Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

Cetaphil Sun SPF 50 Light Gel contains this as ingredient number 4.

Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen Lotion - SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 10.

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 Sun SPF 50 Light Gel contains this as ingredient number 9.

Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen Lotion - SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 16.

4
What it does: Abrasive, Absorbent
Community Rating: Disliked

Silica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.

Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.

Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.

Learn more about Silica

Cetaphil Sun SPF 50 Light Gel contains this as ingredient number 15.

Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen Lotion - SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 7.

5
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

Cetaphil Sun SPF 50 Light Gel contains this as ingredient number 18.

Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen Lotion - SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 29.

6
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

BHT is a synthetic antioxidant. As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.

BHT also helps stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Many products are sensitive to air and light. BHT prevents them from breaking down when exposed.

Cetaphil Sun SPF 50 Light Gel contains this as ingredient number 22.

Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen Lotion - SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 30.

7
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.

Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.

This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.

Those with sensitive skin or conditions may deliver a rash when using this ingredient.

Learn more about Propylene Glycol

Cetaphil Sun SPF 50 Light Gel contains this as ingredient number 23.

Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen Lotion - SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 20.

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

30% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
52% are disliked or very disliked
4% have no rating yet
14% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
39% are disliked or very disliked
36% 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 Sun SPF 50 Light Gel 23 ingredients

1.0 /5
from 1 review

Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen Lotion - SPF 55 36 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 1 review
bagheera's Avatar'
Jan 6, 2024

I personally don't support Neutrogena after everything they've done... But if nothing else is available, this works well and is sold nearly everywhere.

I personally don't support Neutrogena after everything they've done... But if nothing else is available, this works well and is sold nearly everywhere.

Heavy

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Cetaphil Sun SPF 50 Light Gel.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen Lotion - SPF 55.

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