Versus

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 70 Versus Nivea Super Water Gel SPF 50 PA+++

Sunscreen
Sunscreen
American Brand United States
German Brand Germany

Updated on January 21, 2025

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

Free From

They both do not contain any oils 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 needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 70

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Dimethicone 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 Dimethicone
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning

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 Acetate
BHT
Antioxidant, Masking

BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.

As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.

As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.

The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.

However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.

Learn more about BHT

When to use

16 Routines
100% use in am
0% use in pm
94% use every day
275 Routines
99% use in am
1% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 70 33 ingredients

Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 70 hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Nivea Super Water Gel SPF 50 PA+++ 19 ingredients

3.8 /5
from 9 ratings
Works Well (2) Great Value (2) Irritating (2)
SupTi_59's avatar

SupTi_59

1 year ago
Review

Nivea uv super watery gel spf 50
Good for oily skin! Watery base... absorbs quickly ..... ingredients are on point! But not waterproof!

P_55's avatar

P_55

2 years ago
Review

Too much alcohol. Very drying.
Applies really nicely but at the end of the day I find my skin really dry and irritated.