Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Neutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 versus Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer With Spf 30 Broad Spectrum .
Published on June 03, 2021
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants and SPF
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
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.
General Moisturizer
All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.
Price
Ingredient Info
Neutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 35 ingredients
Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer With Spf 30 Broad Spectrum 29 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are EU allergens:
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Neutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 35 ingredients
Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer With Spf 30 Broad Spectrum 29 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Neutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 35 ingredients
Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer With Spf 30 Broad Spectrum 29 ingredients
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.5% • Homosalate 8% • Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5% • Octocrylene 8% • 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
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3% • Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5% • Octocrylene 7% • Water • Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate • Glycerin • Dimethicone • Diisopropyl Sebacate • Silica • Polymethyl Methacrylate • Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate • Sucrose Tristearate • Dimethiconol • Pentylene Glycol • Polysorbate 61 • Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate • Phenoxyethanol • Caprylyl Glycol • Tocopheryl Acetate • Glycyrrhetinic Acid • Panthenol • Triethanolamine • Allantoin • Carbomer • Potassium Sorbate • Zinc Gluconate • Xanthan Gum • Disodium EDTA • Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneNeutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 1.
Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer With Spf 30 Broad Spectrum contains this as ingredient number 1.
Ethylhexyl 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 SalicylateNeutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 3.
Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer With Spf 30 Broad Spectrum contains this as ingredient number 2.
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 OctocryleneNeutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 4.
Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer With Spf 30 Broad Spectrum contains this as ingredient number 3.
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 WaterNeutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 5.
Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer With Spf 30 Broad Spectrum contains this as ingredient number 4.
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 SilicaNeutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 6.
Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer With Spf 30 Broad Spectrum contains this as ingredient number 9.
We don't have a description for Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate.
Neutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 12.
Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer With Spf 30 Broad Spectrum contains this as ingredient number 11.
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 Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 13.
Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer With Spf 30 Broad Spectrum contains this as ingredient number 17.
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 GlycolNeutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 14.
Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer With Spf 30 Broad Spectrum contains this as ingredient number 18.
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 Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 16.
Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer With Spf 30 Broad Spectrum contains this as ingredient number 7.
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 EDTANeutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 21.
Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer With Spf 30 Broad Spectrum contains this as ingredient number 28.
Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumNeutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 29.
Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer With Spf 30 Broad Spectrum contains this as ingredient number 27.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Neutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 35 ingredients
Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer With Spf 30 Broad Spectrum 29 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Neutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 35 ingredients
Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer With Spf 30 Broad Spectrum 29 ingredients
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