Neutrogena Beach Defense Water + Sun Protection Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 Versus Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15
Updated on February 12, 2025
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain SPF
Free From
They both do not contain any oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols and 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
Neutrogena Beach Defense Water + Sun Protection Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 12 ingredients
Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 35 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Neutrogena Beach Defense Water + Sun Protection Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 12 ingredients
Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 35 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 11.5%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 3%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Arachidyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Steareth-21
CleansingPolymethyl Methacrylate
Polyacrylamide
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingSilica
Abrasive
Benzalkonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
BHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 11.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 3%, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Phenyl Trimethicone, Glycerin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Steareth-2, Parfum, Steareth-21, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Polyacrylamide, Arachidyl Glucoside, Disodium EDTA, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Silica, Benzalkonium Chloride, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, BHT, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Titanium Dioxide, Mica
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Also 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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateHomosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.
Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.
(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)
Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.
Learn more about HomosalateOctocrylene 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 OctocryleneParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Neutrogena Beach Defense Water + Sun Protection Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 12 ingredients
Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 35 ingredients
Reviews
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