Minimalist SPF 50 PA++++ Sunscreen Versus Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 100+
Updated on June 03, 2024
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
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for sensitive skin and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Minimalist SPF 50 PA++++ Sunscreen 34 ingredients
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 100+ 23 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Minimalist SPF 50 PA++++ Sunscreen 34 ingredients
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 100+ 23 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Diisopropyl Adipate
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Isododecane
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Arachidyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
PEG-100 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Acacia Seyal Gum
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water, Octocrylene, Diisopropyl Adipate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Isododecane, Niacinamide, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Titanium Dioxide, Ethylhexyl Triazone, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Silica, Acacia Seyal Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 15%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 10%
UV Absorber
Benzophenone-3 6%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Triethanolamine
BufferingDiethylhexyl 2,6-Naphthalate
EmollientDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 15%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 10%, Benzophenone-3 6%, Water, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Silica, Beeswax, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Triethanolamine, Diethylhexyl 2,6-Naphthalate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Methylisothiazolinone
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterOctocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocryleneAlso known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethanePeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateSilica 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 SilicaEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Minimalist SPF 50 PA++++ Sunscreen 34 ingredients
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 100+ 23 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Minimalist SPF 50 PA++++ Sunscreen 34 ingredients
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 100+ 23 ingredients
Acne, white face, not sweat proof
Gave me acne, left a white sheen on my face, if I sweat it would run down my face, also if it dries and you rub your face it will like roll off onto your hand
Used to like it as a body sunscreen.
Found that it worked quite well at high altitude where UV is even stronger - the high SPF seemed to help a lot in those situations.
Tried using it on my face but I didn't like the feeling, and it seemed to irritate my face skin.
