Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Lotion Sunscreen SPF 50 Versus La Roche-Posay Anthelios Wet Skin Gel SPF 50+
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBisabolol
Antioxidant
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cedrus Atlantica Wood Oil
Perfuming
Cetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Oil
Masking
Cocoglycerides
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingMethylparaben
Preservative
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
PEG-15 Cocamine
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Propylparaben
Preservative
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningSarcosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTapioca Starch
Cera Alba
Emollient
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Bisabolol, Capryloyl Glycine, Caprylyl Glycol, Cedrus Atlantica Wood Oil, Cetyl Dimethicone, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Oil, Cocoglycerides, Silica, Dibutyl Adipate, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Methylparaben, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, PEG-15 Cocamine, PEG-40 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Propylparaben, Propylene Glycol, Water, Sarcosine, Sodium Hydroxide, Tapioca Starch, Cera Alba
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Diisopropyl Adipate
EmollientDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Triethanolamine
BufferingPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Dimethicone
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Oxidized Starch Acetate
Skin ConditioningCopernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Cera
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin Conditioning
C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer
StabilisingAcrylates Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carrageenan
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingDrometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Phosphate
BufferingTerephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Water, Isopropyl Palmitate, Alcohol Denat., Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dicaprylyl Ether, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Diisopropyl Adipate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Triethanolamine, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Dimethicone, Tocopherol, Oxidized Starch Acetate, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Oryza Sativa Cera, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer, Acrylates Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Carrageenan, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Disodium Phosphate, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Phosphate, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerThis ingredient is better known as bemotrizinol or Tinosorb S and is one of the best broad-spectrum UV filters in modern sunscreen.
It works by absorbing UV light across a whole range (280-400 nm) with peaks around 310 nm (UVB) and 340-345 nm (UVA). This means it covers UVB plus the deeper UVA wavelengths that drive photoaging and pigmentation.
Another pro?
It's exceptionally photostable, barely degrades in sunlight, and acts as a "bodyguard" for less stable filters.
That's why you'll see it paired with avobenzone or octinoxate; this team up ensures they keep working through sun exposure.
Safety reviews have been reassuring across the board. This ingredient shows low absorption through the skin, rarely irritates, and lab studies found it doesn't act like a hormone in the body (a concern that's been raised about some older sunscreen filters).
On maximum concentrations:
In 2026, the US F.D.A finally added it as an OTC sunscreen ingredient at concentrations up to 6% for adults / children 6 months and older
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineAlso known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is an oil-soluble used to absorb the full spectrum of UVA rays (peak 357 nm).
It's one of the most effective UVA filters available but has a major caveat of photostability: avobenzone is susceptible to photodegradation.
This means it can lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight without the help of a stabilizing agent.
Studies show antioxidants (like vitamin E or vitamin C) and some UV filters (like octocrylene and Tinosorb S) can meaningfully improve its stability in a formulation.
The maximum allowable concentration according to regulation is 3% in the US + Canada, and 5% in the EU, Australia, China, Korea, and ASEAN countries.
It has a well-support safety profile: a comprehensive 2025 review found minimal toxicity with no evidence of carcinogenicity.
Overall, avobenzone is a safe and regulated ingredient used in sunscreen for over 40 years.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexyl Triazone (aka Octyl Triazone) is an oil-soluble organic UVB filter. It has peak absorption around 314 nm, right in the middle of the UVB range.
This ingredient is described as one of the most effective UVB filters available and small concentrations are enough to deliver a high SPF thanks to its strong UV absorbing power.
Formulators love it for its stability; its ability to filter UV stays practically unchanged even under intense radiation and it can also help boost the photostability of less stable filters like avobenzone.
It's also a great pick for water resistant products because it's insoluble in water and has a good affinity for keratin.
Because it's a big, heavy molecule, the European Scientific Committee has found to to have very low dermal penetration and negative results for allergenicity.
In vitro testing also showed a low absorption rate and clean results on irritation.
Typical use levels are 1-5% with 5% being the maximum in the EU, Japan, and other markets that allow it. However, this ingredient is not approved yet in the US or Canada.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
