Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 Versus IPKN Big Apple Sun Cream SPF 50
Updated on January 26, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants and SPF
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens
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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 32 ingredients
IPKN Big Apple Sun Cream SPF 50 46 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 32 ingredients
IPKN Big Apple Sun Cream SPF 50 46 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 10%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 10%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Cetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingJojoba Esters
Emollient
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
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Cyclomethicone
Emollient
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Talc
Abrasive
Diphenyl Dimethicone/Vinyl Diphenyl Dimethicone/Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientAluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantMethicone
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
Masking
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Foeniculum Vulgare Leaf Extract
HumectantLaurus Nobilis Leaf Extract
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Mentha Piperita Extract
CleansingRosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialChromium Oxide Greens
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Acer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Thymus Vulgaris Oil
Masking
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOriganum Majorana Leaf Extract
AntiseborrhoeicSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Zinc Oxide, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dipropylene Glycol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Talc, Diphenyl Dimethicone/Vinyl Diphenyl Dimethicone/Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Aluminum Stearate, Methicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Dimethicone, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Foeniculum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Laurus Nobilis Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Mentha Piperita Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Chromium Oxide Greens, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Citric Acid, Thymus Vulgaris Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract, Origanum Majorana Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 SalicylateWater. 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 WaterDimethicone 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 DimethiconeCaprylyl 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 GlycolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient 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.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
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 ParfumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 32 ingredients
IPKN Big Apple Sun Cream SPF 50 46 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 32 ingredients
stings eyes so bad, leaves white cast, irritates skin it’s very bad
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.
