Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF 50 Versus Bioderma Photoderm Max SPF 50+ Spray, Fragrance-free
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
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBisabolol
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Silica
Abrasive
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientEthylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyester-7
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Steareth-100
Gel FormingSteareth-2
EmulsifyingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Bisabolol, BHT, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Dimethicone, Chlorphenesin, Silica, Dibutyl Adipate, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Glucomannan, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Polyester-7, Polysorbate 20, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Polyacrylate, Steareth-100, Steareth-2, Trideceth-6, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Methylpropanediol
SolventMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentC20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingSodium Citrate
BufferingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingEctoin
Skin Conditioning
Mannitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingRhamnose
HumectantFructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Water, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Homosalate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Methylpropanediol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, C20-22 Alcohols, C14-22 Alcohols, Capryloyl Glycine, Sodium Citrate, Cellulose Gum, Citric Acid, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Ectoin, Mannitol, Xylitol, Sodium Hydroxide, Rhamnose, Fructooligosaccharides, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This 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 TriazineDibutyl Adipate is a lightweight, oil-soluble ester that acts as an emollient and solvent. It helps products spread more easily and leaves a soft, silky, dry-touch finish without being greasy.
You'll likely see this ingredient in sunscreens because it does a nice job dissolving UV filters and keeping them evenly distributed.
This ingredient has been found to be safe as used in cosmetics, wasn't a skin or eye irritant in clinical patch testing, and wasn't phototoxic.
In a clinical comedogenicity test, this ingredient tested negative so it isn't likely to clog pores.
Typical use levels are about 5-8% for sunscreens + nail products, but can range from 0.005%-8% depending on the product.
Learn more about Dibutyl AdipateEthylhexyl 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 TriazoneHomosalate is an oil-soluble organic UVB filter that has been a sunscreen staple for decades. Its job is to absorb UVB rays (~295-315 nm) and protect your skin against sunburn,
This is one of the more photostable organic UV filters; it holds up pretty well under UV and a 2022 quantum-chemistry study found it stays stable in sunlight.
It's actually so reliable that formulators often pair it with shakier ingredients like oxybenzone and avobenzone. Formulators also use it to help dissolve the other UV filters into the oil phase.
One thing to keep in mind: "stable" isn't the same as "strong". On its own, homosalate is actually a pretty weak UV filter so it's better off as a helpful team player that helps boost overall SPF protection.
The safety picture is a bit nuanced but not scary.
This ingredient has a long track record of being gentle and regulators agree it isn't an irritant; EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety found that homosalate is not considered a skin irritant and doesn't raise eye-irritation flags either.
There's talk about homosalate because your skin absorbs a little bit of it into your bloodstream. A 2020 FDA-backed study found homosalate showed up in people's blood levels at the level where the FDA decides to double check.
The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) also found small amounts in blood and breast milk. They estimated that about 5% of what you apply gets absorbed through the skin.
Due to the debate about whether it might mess with hormones, the SCCS recommended a maximum limit of 0.5% in most products of 7.3% in face creams/pump sprays.
One important thing to keep in mind: in the US, Homosalate is currently labeled "non-GRASE" by the FDA. This sounds alarming but really just means the FDA wants more data to confirm it's safe. It's not confidently saying this ingredient is harmful.
As of now, homosalate is still completely legal and widely used while that research gets done.
The current maximum limits are:
Learn more about HomosalateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
