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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 versus Sun Bum Mineral - SPF 50 .

Published on August 19, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain SPF and Vitamin E

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 harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or sulfates

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
Sunscreen American Brand United States

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

Shop

Buy Sheer Zinc Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50

Starts at $8.49
Shop

Buy Mineral - SPF 50

Starts at $17.49

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
50
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

Mineral UV Filter
Vitamin E
Exfoliators (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Rosacea (2)
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Mineral UV Filter
Vitamin E
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Reduces Irritation
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger (3)
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema
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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: Cosmetic Colorant, Skin Protecting, UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Liked

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 can be harmful to coral reefs.

More about harmful reef ingredients here.

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 Oxide

Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 1.

Sun Bum Mineral - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
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 Sheer Zinc Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 2.

Sun Bum Mineral - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Disliked

Polyhydroxystearic Acid is a soft wax made from castor oil.

It is is a texture thickener, emulsifier, and film-former. Emulsifiers prevent ingredients from separating, such as oils and waters.

Polyhydroxystearic Acid may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polyhydroxystearic Acid

Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 9.

Sun Bum Mineral - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 22.

4
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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 Sheer Zinc Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 23.

Sun Bum Mineral - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 25.

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

25% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
50% are disliked or very disliked
25% have no rating yet
19% are loved or liked
7% have mixed ratings
52% are disliked or very disliked
22% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 24 ingredients

1.0 /5
from 1 review

Sun Bum Mineral - SPF 50 27 ingredients

Mineral - SPF 50 hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 37 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 33 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Sun Bum Mineral - SPF 50.

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