Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 versus Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 .
Published on May 17, 2021
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 16 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for brightening skin
Free From
They both do not contain any oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols, fragrances and 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.
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
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 32 ingredients
Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 32 ingredients
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
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:
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 😥
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
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 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 32 ingredients
Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 32 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 5 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:
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Benefits
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 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Notable Ingredients
This product contains 4 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:
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 2 ingredients 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:
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 4 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 Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 32 ingredients
Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 32 ingredients
Octocrylene 9% • Homosalate 5% • Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5% • Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 1.5% • Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer • Alcohol Denat. • Blue 1 Lake • Caprylyl Methicone • Chlorphenesin • Dicaprylyl Carbonate • Diisopropyl Adipate • Dimethicone • Dimethicone Crosspolymer • Disodium EDTA • Glycerin • Glyceryl Stearate • Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid • Hydroxyacetophenone • Parfum • Pentylene Glycol • Phenoxyethanol • Polyurethane-62 • Silica • Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer • Sodium Hydroxide • Tocopheryl Acetate • Trideceth-6 • Benzophenone-3 4.5% • Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate • Menthyl Lactate • Hc Violet No. 2 • Water
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3% • Homosalate 10% • Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5% • Octocrylene 10% • Water • Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer • Silica • Dimethicone • Potassium Cetyl Phosphate • Benzyl Alcohol • Beeswax • Caprylyl Methicone • Glyceryl Stearate • Peg-100 Stearate • Cetyl Dimethicone • Caprylyl Glycol • Ethylhexylglycerin • Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate • Behenyl Alcohol • Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer • Xanthan Gum • Sodium Polyacrylate • Chlorphenesin • Dimethicone/Peg-10/15 Crosspolymer • Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters • Parfum • Disodium EDTA • Ethylhexyl Stearate • Tocopheryl Acetate • BHT • Trideceth-6 • Jojoba Esters
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.
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 Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 1.
Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 4.
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 HomosalateNeutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 2.
Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 2.
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 Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 3.
Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 3.
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 Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 4.
Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 1.
We don't have a description for Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 5.
Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 20.
Caprylyl Methicone is a type of silicone.
It helps soften and soothe the skin by creating a thin film on top. This film helps trap moisture, keeping your skin hydrated.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 8.
Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 12.
Chlorphenesin 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 ChlorphenesinNeutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 9.
Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 23.
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 Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 12.
Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 8.
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 Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 14.
Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 27.
Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
Glyceryl Stearate is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced. The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateNeutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 16.
Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 13.
Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give aroma to products. Parfum, or fragrance, can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "Parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'. The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance. One example is Calendula flower extract. Essential oil ingredients still impart a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, it can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Products use parfum often to give products a scent or cover up smells of different ingredients.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumNeutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 19.
Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 26.
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 Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 23.
Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 7.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateNeutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 26.
Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 29.
We don't have a description for Trideceth-6.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 27.
Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 31.
We don't have a description for Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 32.
Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 18.
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 Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 55.
Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 5.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 32 ingredients
Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 32 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 32 ingredients
Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 32 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 32 ingredients
Brittskye157
Does it’s job
I think this is nothing complicated, does it’s job it’s lightweight, slippery, a little bit of a shine once dries down a little, it...
Does it’s job
I think this is nothing complicated, does it’s job it’s lightweight, slippery, a little bit of a shine once dries down a little, it doesn’t pill and my make up goes on top easily. Great product
Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 32 ingredients
KadriReede_527
I really like it in springtime and summertime. It is so moisturizing and sinks in fast. And tube is big. Last a long time.
Sometimes irritates...
I really like it in springtime and summertime. It is so moisturizing and sinks in fast. And tube is big. Last a long time.
Sometimes irritates eyes a bit. Not everytime.
But i really don't like it at all in wintertime. It feels so drying on my sentsitive skin then.
Overall I think I would even consider buying this again.
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