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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Sun Bum Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 versus Neutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 .

Published on May 19, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 14 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants and SPF

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, oils, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain silicones

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 Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50

Starts at $15.49
Shop

Buy Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30

Starts at $8.56

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
30

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (4)
Vitamin E
Exfoliators

Benefits

Brightening

Concerns

Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (4)
Exfoliators

Benefits

Reduces Irritation

Concerns

Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (3)
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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: UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.

Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.

Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.

However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.

Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!

The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.

Learn more about Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane

Sun Bum Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 1.

Neutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Skin Conditioning, UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Homosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.

Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.

(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)

Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.

Learn more about Homosalate

Sun Bum Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 2.

Neutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Disliked

Ethylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.

Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.

The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.

According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.

Learn more about Ethylhexyl Salicylate

Sun Bum Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 3.

Neutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 3.

4
What it does: UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Octocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.

Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.

Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.

The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:

Learn more about Octocrylene

Sun Bum Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 4.

Neutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 4.

5
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

Sun Bum Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 5.

Neutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 5.

We don't have a description for Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer.

Sun Bum Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 9.

Neutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 8.

7
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

Sun Bum Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 10.

Neutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 16.

8
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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

BHT also helps stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Many products are sensitive to air and light. BHT prevents them from breaking down when exposed.

Sun Bum Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 13.

Neutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 27.

9
What it does: Emollient
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Ethylhexyl Stearate is an ester of 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and stearic acid. It is an emulsifier, emollient, and texture enhancer.

As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating.

Its emollient property helps soften and hydrate the skin. Emollients form a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.

Learn more about Ethylhexyl Stearate

Sun Bum Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 16.

Neutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 20.

10
What it does: Absorbent, Emollient, Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Polyacrylate is the sodium salt of polyacrylic acid.

Sodium Polyacrylate is a super-absorbent polymer. It can absorb 100 to 1000 times its mass in water. As an emollient, Sodium Polyacrylate helps soften and soothe skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated.

Sodium Polyacrylate is also used to stabilize products.

Learn more about Sodium Polyacrylate

Sun Bum Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 21.

Neutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 15.

11
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

Sun Bum Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 22.

Neutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 29.

12
What it does: Emulsifying

We don't have a description for Trideceth-6.

Sun Bum Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 23.

Neutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 31.

13
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA

Sun Bum Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 24.

Neutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 21.

14
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Sun Bum Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 25.

Neutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 10.

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

7% are loved or liked
7% have mixed ratings
59% are disliked or very disliked
26% have no rating yet
14% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
43% are disliked or very disliked
31% 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

Sun Bum Sunscreen Face Lotion - SPF 50 27 ingredients

2.6 /5
from 5 ratings
Drying (1) Great Value (1) Heavy (1) Light (1) Light Scent (1) Oily (1)
MadelynRussell's avatar

MadelynRussell

5 months ago · Normal Skin
Review

Honestly, not too bad. Sometimes it did run into my eyes, but I'd say that was around only 5% of the time. It's avalible in my area and it does...

Honestly, not too bad. Sometimes it did run into my eyes, but I'd say that was around only 5% of the time. It's avalible in my area and it does what it says it does.

caabbage's avatar

caabbage

12 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

Stings
Stings eyes SO MUCH even if you don’t apply below eyebrows/apply a different spf around your eyes, this product will eventually reach your...

Stings
Stings eyes SO MUCH even if you don’t apply below eyebrows/apply a different spf around your eyes, this product will eventually reach your eyes during the day and they will be STREAMING. Also slightly stings the rest of your skin too. 2 stars because it didn’t cause acne or redness

Neutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 35 ingredients

Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30 hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

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