Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30 versus Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50 .
Published on March 09, 2022
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid, SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain 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 Sunscreen SPF 30 27 ingredients
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50 31 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 😥
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:
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30 27 ingredients
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50 31 ingredients
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:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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 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:
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:
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 2 ingredients 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:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30 27 ingredients
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50 31 ingredients
Homosalate 15% • Octocrylene 10% • Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5% • Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3% • Alcohol Denat. • Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate • Blue 1 Lake • Butyloctyl Salicylate • Caprylyl Methicone • Chlorphenesin • Dimethicone • Disodium EDTA • Glycerin • Glyceryl Stearate • Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid • Menthyl Lactate • Parfum • Pentylene Glycol • Phenoxyethanol • Polyurethane-62 • Silica • Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer • Sodium Hydroxide • Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer • Tocopheryl Acetate • Trideceth-6 • Water
Homosalate 10% • Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3% • Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5% • Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5% • Water • Butyloctyl Salicylate • Glycerin • Styrene • Potassium Cetyl Phosphate • Cyclopentasiloxane • Glyceryl Stearate • Peg-100 Stearate • Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate • Portulaca Oleracea Extract • Phenoxyethanol • Tocopheryl Acetate • Polyacrylate-13 • Pentylene Glycol • Xanthan Gum • Benzoic Acid • Ethylhexylglycerin • Glycereth-2 Cocoate • Sodium Hyaluronate • Polyisobutene • Polysorbate 20 • Panthenol • Arginine • Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan • Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Cassia Alata Leaf Extract
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.
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 Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 1.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50 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 Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 3.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 4.
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 Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 4.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 2.
We don't have a description for Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 6.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 13.
Butyloctyl Salicylate is a photostabilizer, emollient and solvent. Its main purpose is to evenly spread out ingredients.
This ingredient is a common sunscreen ingredient carrier and photostabilizer. According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for carrying micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
According to EU regulation, this ingredient can cause harmful effects to aquatic life.
Learn more about Butyloctyl SalicylateNeutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 8.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 6.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinNeutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 13.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 7.
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 Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 14.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 11.
Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can help thicken or emulsify a product. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolNeutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 18.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 18.
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 Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 19.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 15.
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 Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 25.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 16.
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 Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 27.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50 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 Sunscreen SPF 30 27 ingredients
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50 31 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 Sunscreen SPF 30 27 ingredients
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50 31 ingredients
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