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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 versus Clinique Superdefense™ City Block Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily Energy + Face Protector .

Published on April 08, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 15 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants, SPF and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, 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

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
15
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

Chemical UV Filter (3)
Mineral UV Filter
Vitamin E
Exfoliators (2)

Benefits

Hydrating
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
Acne Trigger
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (3)

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter
Mineral UV Filter (2)
Vitamin E
Exfoliators (3)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
Acne Trigger
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema
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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: UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.

UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.

The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.

Learn more about Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 3.

Clinique Superdefense™ City Block Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily Energy + Face Protector contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
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 Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 4.

Clinique Superdefense™ City Block Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily Energy + Face Protector contains this as ingredient number 5.

3

Lauryl Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone is a type of silicone.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 8.

Clinique Superdefense™ City Block Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily Energy + Face Protector contains this as ingredient number 9.

4
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 Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 9.

Clinique Superdefense™ City Block Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily Energy + Face Protector contains this as ingredient number 30.

5
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 Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 10.

Clinique Superdefense™ City Block Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily Energy + Face Protector contains this as ingredient number 10.

6
What it does: Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.

This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.

You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.

There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.

The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.

Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.

Learn more about Sodium Chloride

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 14.

Clinique Superdefense™ City Block Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily Energy + Face Protector contains this as ingredient number 26.

7
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 Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 16.

Clinique Superdefense™ City Block Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily Energy + Face Protector contains this as ingredient number 35.

We don't have a description for Quaternium-90 Bentonite.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 17.

Clinique Superdefense™ City Block Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily Energy + Face Protector contains this as ingredient number 22.

9
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

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 Glycol

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 19.

Clinique Superdefense™ City Block Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily Energy + Face Protector contains this as ingredient number 27.

10
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 21.

Clinique Superdefense™ City Block Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily Energy + Face Protector contains this as ingredient number 31.

11
What it does: Solvent

This ingredient is a solvent. It helps dissolve active ingredients and alter the texture of products.

Propylene Carbonate is commonly used in makeup and with clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite.

Studies show this ingredient to be safe for cosmetics. When it is undiluted, it can cause skin irritation. (It is always diluted in skincare and makeup). This ingredient is water-soluble.

Propylene Carbonate is created from propylene glycol and carbonic acid.

Learn more about Propylene Carbonate

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 22.

Clinique Superdefense™ City Block Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily Energy + Face Protector contains this as ingredient number 29.

12
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone used to improve the texture of products and absorb oil. It does not get absorbed into the skin.

Like other silicones, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer helps condition the skin by creating a barrier. In this sense, it can act as an emollient and trap moisture in.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 23.

Clinique Superdefense™ City Block Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily Energy + Face Protector contains this as ingredient number 15.

13
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 Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 24.

Clinique Superdefense™ City Block Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily Energy + Face Protector contains this as ingredient number 33.

14
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant, UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Mixed

Titanium dioxide is known for its UVA and UVB protection properties. It is non-comedogenic and non-irritating. Titanium Dioxide is a physical sunscreen. Physical sunscreens reflect light and prevent it from reaching your skin.

Protecting your skin against UV radiation can prevent the signs of aging. Sun damage is associated with fine-lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness, and hyperpigmentation. Titanium dioxide can help prevent premature aging.

With modern production, nano-scale or fine-grade titanium dioxide can be easily produced for cosmetics. In sunscreen, titanium dioxide absorbs UV light. Our skin is not able to absorb Titanium dioxide, even nanoparticles.

Titanium itself is the 9th most common element in the Earth's crust. Titanium dioxide is formed when oxygen is introduced and can be found in ores, dust, sand, and soil.

Pure titanium dioxide is a white powder that is used in many products to add or change color.

Learn more about Titanium Dioxide

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 27.

Clinique Superdefense™ City Block Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily Energy + Face Protector contains this as ingredient number 2.

15
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Mixed

Ci 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.

Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.

Synthetically created Ci 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.

Learn more about CI 77492

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 29.

Clinique Superdefense™ City Block Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily Energy + Face Protector contains this as ingredient number 38.

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

7% are loved or liked
17% have mixed ratings
66% are disliked or very disliked
10% have no rating yet
18% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
39% are disliked or very disliked
29% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Clinique Superdefense™ City Block Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily Energy + Face Protector.

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