Revlon Illuminance Protect + Moisturize Primer SPF 30 Versus Neutrogena Mineral Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Lotion SPF 30
This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~97% of UVB at SPF 30.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Homosalate 5%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 5%
UV Absorber
Zinc Oxide 10.8%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Isododecane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
PPG-24-Glycereth-24
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Magnesium Sulfate
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMica
Cosmetic ColorantPolyester-28
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Propylene Carbonate
SolventSilica
Abrasive
Simethicone
Emollient
Tetrasodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantHomosalate 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 5%, Zinc Oxide 10.8%, Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Squalane, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Isododecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, PPG-24-Glycereth-24, Glycerin, Magnesium Sulfate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Mica, Polyester-28, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Propylene Carbonate, Silica, Simethicone, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77491, CI 77891
Zinc 18.7%
Antioxidant
Titanium Dioxide 6.5%
Cosmetic Colorant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Trisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Polyester-7
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Silica
Abrasive
Zinc 18.7%, Titanium Dioxide 6.5%, Tocopherol, Water, Isohexadecane, Butyloctyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Caprylyl Methicone, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Stearic Acid, Trisiloxane, Polyester-7, Phenoxyethanol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Behenyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Silica
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butyloctyl Salicylate is a chemical UV filter structurally similar to octisalate. It is a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. This ingredient helps evenly spread out ingredients.
According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for pairing with micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
Learn more about Butyloctyl SalicylateCaprylyl 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 GlycolPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicon-based surface modifier that makes sunscreens feel silky and makeup stay put.
Its main job is to coat mineral particles like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and color pigments in a thin, oily layer so they spread smoothly, don't clump, and stick to skin better.
This ingredient is typically used at low levels (up to 2.5% in eyeshadow and 1% in lipstick).
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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
