Neutrogena Clear Face Break-Out Free Liquid Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Versus Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50
Updated on June 01, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants and SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin and 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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Neutrogena Clear Face Break-Out Free Liquid Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 32 ingredients
Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 28 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Neutrogena Clear Face Break-Out Free Liquid Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 32 ingredients
Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 28 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Octocrylene 2.5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Cetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSteareth-100
Gel FormingAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentDimethicone
Emollient
Polyester-7
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientBisabolol
Masking
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
BHT
Antioxidant
Mannan
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingSarcosine
Skin ConditioningCedrus Atlantica Bark Extract
Perfuming
Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene 2.5%, Water, Silica, Cetyl Dimethicone, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Steareth-100, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Dimethicone, Polyester-7, Chlorphenesin, Steareth-2, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Bisabolol, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, BHT, Mannan, Xanthan Gum, Capryloyl Glycine, Trideceth-6, Sarcosine, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Extract, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Homosalate 10%
Skin Conditioning
Benzophenone-3 6%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 2%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-8
HumectantPolyethylene
Abrasive
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Picrasma Excelsa Wood Extract
AstringentSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Bentonite
AbsorbentMethyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentKaolin
Abrasive
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Homosalate 10%, Benzophenone-3 6%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Octocrylene 2%, Water, Butylene Glycol, PEG-8, Polyethylene, Silica, Dimethicone, Picrasma Excelsa Wood Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Titanium Dioxide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Bentonite, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Kaolin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Octocrylene 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 OctocryleneWater. 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 WaterSilica 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.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
Sodium Polyacrylate is the sodium salt of polyacrylic acid. It is used as an absorber, emollient, and stabilizer.
This ingredient is a super-absorbent polymer - meaning 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.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeChlorphenesin 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 ChlorphenesinDisodium 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 EDTAButylene 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.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Neutrogena Clear Face Break-Out Free Liquid Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 32 ingredients
Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 28 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Neutrogena Clear Face Break-Out Free Liquid Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 32 ingredients
Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50 28 ingredients
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.
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.
