Neutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 Versus Dr. Loretta Urban Antioxidant Sunscreen SPF 40
Updated on June 03, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 11 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, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain common allergens, fragrances and 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 Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 35 ingredients
Dr. Loretta Urban Antioxidant Sunscreen SPF 40 35 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Neutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 35 ingredients
Dr. Loretta Urban Antioxidant Sunscreen SPF 40 35 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.5%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 8%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 8%
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 ConditioningButyl 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
Homosalate 8%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 5%
UV Absorber
Zinc Oxide 8%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
Humectant
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Steareth-21
CleansingStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingFructose
HumectantCocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Kaempferia Galanga Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Withania Somnifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol
Antioxidant
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Homosalate 8%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 5%, Zinc Oxide 8%, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Mica, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Steareth-21, Stearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Steareth-2, Fructose, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Chlorphenesin, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Tocopheryl Acetate, Kaempferia Galanga Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Phytate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Withania Somnifera Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Silica, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Homosalate 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 HomosalateEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateOctocrylene 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 SilicaC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateEthylhexylglycerin (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.
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 ChlorphenesinSteareth-2 is a waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients. It is created from polyethylene glycol and stearyl alcohol.
The 2 stands for the number of ethylene oxide units used to create this ingredient.
Ingredient Ratings
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When to use
Neutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 35 ingredients
Dr. Loretta Urban Antioxidant Sunscreen SPF 40 35 ingredients
