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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Clinique Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Fluid for Face versus Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 .

Published on September 03, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants and SPF

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, 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 Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Fluid for Face

Starts at $34.00
Shop

Buy Sheer Zinc Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50

Starts at $8.49

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
50

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Mineral UV Filter (2)
Exfoliators

Benefits

Acne Fighting

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Mineral UV Filter
Vitamin E
Exfoliators (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Rosacea (2)
Eczema
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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: Cosmetic Colorant, Skin Protecting, UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Liked

Zinc Oxide is a mineral broad-spectrum UV filter; it is the broadest UVA and UVB reflector approved by the FDA. While it is most commonly man-made for cosmetics, it can naturally occur in zincite, a rare mineral.

Today, traditional and nano-sized zinc oxide can be found in beauty products. Nano-sized zinc oxide can enhance a product's UV protection. While it is not believed to have a negative effect on skin, nano-zinc oxide can be harmful to coral reefs.

More about harmful reef ingredients here.

Zinc Oxide also has antibacterial and calming properties. It is not water soluble.

Zinc has been used throughout history as an ingredient in paint and medicine. An Indian text from 500BC is believed to list zinc oxide as a salve for open wound. The Ancient Greek physician Dioscorides has also mentioned the use of zinc as an ointment in 1AD.

Learn more about Zinc Oxide

Clinique Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Fluid for Face contains this as ingredient number 2.

Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
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

Clinique Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Fluid for Face contains this as ingredient number 3.

Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 2.

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.

Clinique Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Fluid for Face contains this as ingredient number 4.

Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 8.

4
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

Clinique Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Fluid for Face contains this as ingredient number 7.

Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 3.

5
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

Clinique Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Fluid for Face contains this as ingredient number 15.

Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 13.

6
What it does: Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

This ingredient is a high molecular weight silicone. It has emulsifying and skin conditioning properties.

Clinique Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Fluid for Face contains this as ingredient number 18.

Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 7.

7
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

Clinique Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Fluid for Face contains this as ingredient number 25.

Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 19.

8
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Disliked

Polyhydroxystearic Acid is a soft wax made from castor oil.

It is is a texture thickener, emulsifier, and film-former. Emulsifiers prevent ingredients from separating, such as oils and waters.

Polyhydroxystearic Acid may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polyhydroxystearic Acid

Clinique Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Fluid for Face contains this as ingredient number 26.

Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 9.

9
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Clinique Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Fluid for Face contains this as ingredient number 28.

Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 23.

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

13% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
40% are disliked or very disliked
33% have no rating yet
25% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
50% are disliked or very disliked
25% 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

Clinique Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Fluid for Face 30 ingredients

1.0 /5
from 1 rating
Broke Me Out (1) Drying (1) Irritating (1)

Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 24 ingredients

1.0 /5
from 1 rating

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Clinique Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Fluid for Face.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 37 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50.

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