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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Neutrogena Clear Face Break-Out Free Liquid Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 versus Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 .

Published on August 15, 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

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for sensitive skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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 Clear Face Break-Out Free Liquid Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30

Starts at $13.99
Shop

Buy Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50

Starts at $23.00

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
30
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

Exfoliators

Benefits

Reduces Irritation

Concerns

Acne Trigger
Rosacea
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (5)
Mineral UV Filter
Retinoid
Vitamin C
Vitamin E (2)
Exfoliators (3)

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (3)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying
Irritating (4)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (2)
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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

Neutrogena Clear Face Break-Out Free Liquid Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 1.

Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 6.

2
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

Neutrogena Clear Face Break-Out Free Liquid Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 2.

Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 10.

3
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.

Neutrogena Clear Face Break-Out Free Liquid Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 6.

Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 24.

4
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.

Neutrogena Clear Face Break-Out Free Liquid Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 9.

Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 27.

5
What it does: Absorbent, Emollient, Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Polyacrylate is the sodium salt of polyacrylic acid.

Sodium Polyacrylate is a super-absorbent polymer. It can absorb 100 to 1000 times its mass in water. As an emollient, Sodium Polyacrylate helps soften and soothe skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated.

Sodium Polyacrylate is also used to stabilize products.

Learn more about Sodium Polyacrylate

Neutrogena Clear Face Break-Out Free Liquid Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 11.

Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 22.

6
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.

Neutrogena Clear Face Break-Out Free Liquid Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 12.

Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 11.

7
What it does: Antimicrobial, Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.

Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.

Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.

Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.

Learn more about Chlorphenesin

Neutrogena Clear Face Break-Out Free Liquid Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 14.

Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 28.

8
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA

Neutrogena Clear Face Break-Out Free Liquid Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 17.

Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 25.

9
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Neutrogena Clear Face Break-Out Free Liquid Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 22.

Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 7.

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

23% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
32% are disliked or very disliked
32% have no rating yet
25% are loved or liked
21% have mixed ratings
46% are disliked or very disliked
7% 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

Neutrogena Clear Face Break-Out Free Liquid Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 31 ingredients

Clear Face Break-Out Free Liquid Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 28 ingredients

2.5 /5
from 2 ratings
PallasCat_310's avatar

PallasCat_310

9 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

Good for the body, bad for the face
Like the other review mentioned, still greasy on the face despite the name. I do have oily skin so many...

Good for the body, bad for the face
Like the other review mentioned, still greasy on the face despite the name. I do have oily skin so many sunscreens have this problem. However, I found this to be a good body sunscreen, it blends out very easily and smoothly.

screamadelica's avatar

screamadelica

1 year ago · Normal Skin
Review

very greasy despite the name
this is just a typical greasy american sunscreen. not paula’s choice’s fault that the laws here are so awful, but it’s...

very greasy despite the name
this is just a typical greasy american sunscreen. not paula’s choice’s fault that the laws here are so awful, but it’s not a very good product. only OK for the body imo.

Alternatives

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50.

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