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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 versus La Roche-Posay Anthelios Eco Tube SPF 50 .

Published on September 18, 2022

Overview

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 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 American Brand United States
Day Moisturizer French Brand France

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.

Day Moisturizer

Day Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin during the daytime.

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
55
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 (4)
Vitamin E
Exfoliators

Benefits

Brightening

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (5)
Eczema (4)

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (6)
Mineral UV Filter
Vitamin E
Exfoliators (2)

Benefits

Hydrating
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (4)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (3)
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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

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 Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 1.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Eco Tube SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 5.

2
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 Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 2.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Eco Tube SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Disliked

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 Salicylate

Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 3.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Eco Tube SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 4.

4
What it does: UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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 Octocrylene

Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 4.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Eco Tube SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 3.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Water

Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 5.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Eco Tube SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 1.

6
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Liked

Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is the potassium salt of a mixture. This mixture consists of the esters from phosphoricacid and cetyl alcohol.

Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.

As a cleansing agent, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate helps gather oils, dirts, and pollutants from your skin. This makes it easier to rinse them away with water.

Learn more about Potassium Cetyl Phosphate

Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 9.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Eco Tube SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 10.

7
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying
Community Rating: Disliked

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 Stearate

Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 13.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Eco Tube SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 20.

8
What it does:
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Peg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.

Peg-100 Stearate helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. It helps prevent oil and water from separating in a product. By binding oil and water, it helps remove dirt and oil to be rinsed away.

Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 14.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Eco Tube SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 23.

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 Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 16.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Eco Tube SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 18.

10
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 Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 contains this as ingredient number 27.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Eco Tube SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 19.

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

13% are loved or liked
6% have mixed ratings
69% are disliked or very disliked
13% have no rating yet
24% are loved or liked
3% have mixed ratings
69% are disliked or very disliked
3% have no rating yet

Usage

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

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 32 ingredients

2.5 /5
from 2 ratings
Drying (2) Great Value (1) Absorbs Well (1) Irritating (1) Light Scent (1) Pilling (1)
KadriReede_527's avatar

KadriReede_527

2 months ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

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.

LunaBurk_406's avatar

LunaBurk_406

1 month ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

stings eyes so bad, leaves white cast, irritates skin it’s very bad

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Eco Tube SPF 50 29 ingredients

Anthelios Eco Tube SPF 50 hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to La Roche-Posay Anthelios Eco Tube SPF 50.

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