Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 Versus Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Updated on July 25, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin and brightening skin
Free From
They both do not contain any 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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 23 ingredients
Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 50 39 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 23 ingredients
Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 50 39 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide 21.6%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Octyldodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer
HumectantPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Ethyl Methicone
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Cetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCetyl Dimethicone/Bis-Vinyldimethicone Crosspolymer
EmollientChrysanthemum Parthenium Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice
Antioxidant
Zinc Oxide 21.6%, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Octyldodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Ethyl Methicone, Silica, Cetyl Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Behenate, Sodium Chloride, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Chlorphenesin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Dimethicone/Bis-Vinyldimethicone Crosspolymer, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice
Titanium Dioxide 9%
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide 7%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Olive Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sorbitan Palmitate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone PEG-8 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Bisabolol
Masking
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Citric Acid
Buffering
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingUndecylenoyl Glycine
CleansingTitanium Dioxide 9%, Zinc Oxide 7%, Water, Isohexadecane, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Cetyl Dimethicone, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Olive Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Dimethicone PEG-8 Laurate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Bisabolol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Stearic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Capryloyl Glycine, Undecylenoyl Glycine
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Zinc Oxide is a mineral broad-spectrum UV filter; it is the broadest UVA and UVB reflector approved by the FDA. While it is most commonly man-made for cosmetics, it can naturally occur in zincite, a rare mineral.
Today, traditional and nano-sized zinc oxide can be found in beauty products. Nano-sized zinc oxide can enhance a product's UV protection. While it is not believed to have a negative effect on skin, nano-zinc oxide may be harmful to coral reefs - though the verdict is not entirely out on this one.
Zinc Oxide also has antibacterial and calming properties. It is not water soluble.
Zinc has been used throughout history as an ingredient in paint and medicine. An Indian text from 500BC is believed to list zinc oxide as a salve for open wound. The Ancient Greek physician Dioscorides has also mentioned the use of zinc as an ointment in 1AD.
Learn more about Zinc OxideWater. 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 WaterWe don't have a description for Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer yet.
Cetyl Dimethicone is a type of silicone.
Triethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicone used to bind and stabilize ingredients.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. This can help elongate the shelf life of products.
Triethoxycaprylylsilane is often used to coat mineral sunscreens ingredients to help give a better feel. It also helps reduce oxidative stress in sunscreens.
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilanePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 23 ingredients
Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 50 39 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 23 ingredients
Terrible
Makes my skin feel dry, stinks my eyes and have a really bad white cast
Hace que mi piel se sienta seca, me irrita los ojos y te deja la piel blancuzca
Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 50 39 ingredients
I usually use Korean sunscreen for daily wear, but wanted something with a stated water resistance for wearing to the pool, that I could grab at a local store. I settled on this one because it has ceramides. If you apply the recommended amount, it's going to leave a white cast, which I'm fine with. I want high protection, I don't really care how it looks. I do not love how it feels (not elegant) Show more
The most god awful sunscreen ever. Try it if you can't find white face paint for halloween - its even got the same greasy texture. Somehow oily and drying at the same time? Nothing "sheer" about this.
