Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 Versus Starface Clear As Day SPF 46

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 versus Starface Clear As Day SPF 46 .

Published on April 20, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe sunscreens. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants and SPF

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.

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Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15

Starface Clear As Day SPF 46

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.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 29 ingredients

Starface Clear As Day SPF 46 12 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

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

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 29 ingredients

Starface Clear As Day SPF 46 12 ingredients

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 (4)

Exfoliators

Concerns

Irritating

Rosacea (3)

Eczema (2)

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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 29 ingredients

Starface Clear As Day SPF 46 12 ingredients

Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3% • Homosalate 10% • Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5% • Octocrylene 10% • Isododecane • Dimethicone Crosspolymer • Dimethicone • Butyloctyl Salicylate • Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer • Silica • Vp/Eicosene Copolymer • Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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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.

Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane

What it does: UV Absorber, UV Filter

Community Rating: Very Disliked

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 Methoxydibenzoylmethane

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 1.

Starface Clear As Day SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 1.

Homosalate

What it does: Skin Conditioning, UV Absorber, UV Filter

Community Rating: Very Disliked

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 Homosalate

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

Starface Clear As Day SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 2.

Dimethicone

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.

Starface Clear As Day SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 7.

Isododecane

What it does: Emollient, Solvent

Community Rating: Disliked

Isododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.

As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.

Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.

Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.

Learn more about Isododecane

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 6.

Starface Clear As Day SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 5.

Silica

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.

Starface Clear As Day SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 10.

Dimethicone Crosspolymer

What it does: Emulsion Stabilising

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone created by modifying dimethicone with hydrocarbon side chains. Due to its large size, it does not penetrate skin. It is considered non-occlusive.

Dimethicone Crosspolymer is used to stabilize and thicken products. It also helps give products a silky feel.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 18.

Starface Clear As Day SPF 46 contains this as ingredient number 6.

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

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 29 ingredients

Starface Clear As Day SPF 46 12 ingredients

7% are loved or liked

17% have mixed ratings

66% are disliked or very disliked

10% have no rating yet

8% are loved or liked

0% have mixed ratings

75% are disliked or very disliked

17% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 29 ingredients

Starface Clear As Day SPF 46 12 ingredients

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 29 ingredients

Healthy Skin Primer SPF15 hasn't been rated yet.

Rate it now

Starface Clear As Day SPF 46 12 ingredients

5.0 /5

from 2 ratings

Light (1) Works Well (1)

jojoswrld_

4 months ago · Dry Skin

Review

Lightweight, does well with sun protection! Initially I was skeptical of if the silicones would clog my acne-prone skin’s pores, but it hasn’t...

Lightweight, does well with sun protection! Initially I was skeptical of if the silicones would clog my acne-prone skin’s pores, but it hasn’t broken me out at all. In fact, sometimes when I rub it in, I get sebaceous filaments on my hands as residue! So in my case it’s provided some kind of exfoliation. I’ve only used this product in the winter but I’m certain it’s just as effective in warmer months.