Vacation Super Stick SPF 45 Versus Neutrogena Oil Free Moisture SPF 15
Updated on August 06, 2024
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
Vacation Super Stick SPF 45 36 ingredients
Neutrogena Oil Free Moisture SPF 15 21 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Vacation Super Stick SPF 45 36 ingredients
Neutrogena Oil Free Moisture SPF 15 21 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.9%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 6.9%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.9%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 8.6%
UV Absorber
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Sodium Phosphosilicate
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Esters
Emollient
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Nelumbo Nucifera Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningMethylheptylglycerin
HumectantMusa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Polyglyceryl-10 Caprylate/Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyurethane-35
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Saccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Stearate
CleansingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Tapioca Starch
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tridecane
Perfuming
Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningUndecane
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.9%, Homosalate 6.9%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.9%, Octocrylene 8.6%, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Sodium Phosphosilicate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide NP, Cetyl Esters, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Lauroyl Lysine, Methylheptylglycerin, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Caprylate/Caprate, Polyurethane-35, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Saccharomyces Ferment, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Stearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Tapioca Starch, Tocopherol, Tridecane, Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Undecane, Water
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 1.5%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 3%
UV Absorber
Benzophenone-3 4%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Emulsifying Wax Nf
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingMethylparaben
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Ethylene Brassylate
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
MaskingDimethylheptenal
Perfuming
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 1.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 3%, Benzophenone-3 4%, Water, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Glycerin, Emulsifying Wax Nf, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Methylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Ethylene Brassylate, Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethylheptenal
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinOctocrylene 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 OctocryleneWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Vacation Super Stick SPF 45 36 ingredients
Neutrogena Oil Free Moisture SPF 15 21 ingredients
