Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Oxide Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+ Ingredients Explained

Name: Sheer Zinc Oxide Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+
Brand: Neutrogena

Published on June 13, 2023 Submitted by JasperYan_618

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Starts at $13.99

Overview

What it is

Sunscreen with 15 ingredients that contains exfoliants, SPF and Vitamin E

Suited For

It has ingredients that are good for fighting acne and brightening skin

Free From

It doesn't contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

Fun facts

Neutrogena is from United States. This product is used in 4 routines created by our community.

We independently verify ingredients and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Does this product need an update? Let us know.

Ingredient List (15)

Zinc Oxide 21.6%, Octyldodecyl PCA, Hexyl Neopentanoate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polyethylene, Paraffin, Silica, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Ozokerite, Isopropyl Myristate, Adipic Acid/Diglycol Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Neopentyl Glycol Diisostearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate

You should know

Here's our breakdown of the notable ingredients, benefits, and concerns we determined from the ingredients in this product. Click any item to learn more.

Notable Ingredients

Mineral UV Filter

Vitamin E

Exfoliators (2)

Benefits

Acne Fighting

Brightening

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)

Acne Trigger

Rosacea

Eczema

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

Ingredients Overview

Here's our quick-to-read summary of the ingredients in this product. Keep scrolling if you'd like to learn more about what each ingredient does!

Ingredient

Com. / Irr. Rating

Features

Cosmetic Colorant, Skin Protecting, UV Absorber, UV Filter

1 / 0

Emollient

Perfuming

Antimicrobial, Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Abrasive

Perfuming, Skin Conditioning

Abrasive, Absorbent

Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Emulsion Stabilising

Emollient, Masking

3-5 / 3

Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning

Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning

0 / 0

Ingredients Explained

This product contains 15 ingredients. Click on any ingredient to learn more about it

Zinc Oxide 21.6%

What it does: Cosmetic Colorant, Skin Protecting, UV Absorber, UV Filter

Community Rating: Liked

Zinc Oxide is a mineral broad-spectrum UV filter; it is the broadest UVA and UVB reflector approved by the FDA. While it is most commonly man-made for cosmetics, it can naturally occur in zincite, a rare mineral.

Today, traditional and nano-sized zinc oxide can be found in beauty products. Nano-sized zinc oxide can enhance a product's UV protection. While it is not believed to have a negative effect on skin, nano-zinc oxide can be harmful to coral reefs.

More about harmful reef ingredients here.

Zinc Oxide also has antibacterial and calming properties. It is not water soluble.

Zinc has been used throughout history as an ingredient in paint and medicine. An Indian text from 500BC is believed to list zinc oxide as a salve for open wound. The Ancient Greek physician Dioscorides has also mentioned the use of zinc as an ointment in 1AD.

Learn more about Zinc Oxide

Octyldodecyl PCA

What it does: Emollient

We don't have a description for Octyldodecyl PCA.

Hexyl Neopentanoate

What it does: Perfuming

Hexyl Neopentanoate is a fragrance.

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

What it does: Antimicrobial, Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Disliked

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.

As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.

This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.

Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

Polyethylene

What it does: Abrasive

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer.

Polyethylene is also typically used within product formulations to help bind solid ingredients together and thicken oil-based ingredients. When added to balms and emulsions, it helps increase the melting point temperature.

Paraffin

What it does: Perfuming, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Paraffin is a solid created from petroleum. The term 'paraffin' can also refer to either petroleum Jelly or mineral oil.

It has natural occlusive properties which can worsen oily skin. Due to its petrolatum base, this ingredient is not fungal-acne safe.

Silica

What it does: Abrasive, Absorbent

Community Rating: Disliked

Silica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.

Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.

Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.

Learn more about Silica

Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate

What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Emollients help hydrate the skin by creating a barrier on top. This barrier prevents moisture from escaping, keeping the skin hydrated.

It is the diester of neopentyl glycol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.

Ozokerite

What it does: Emulsion Stabilising

Ozokerite is a naturally occuring mineral wax. In cosmetics, ozokerite is used as a texture enhancer.

Ceresin wax is derived from this ingredient.

The melting point of ozokerite is 58-100 C.

Ozokerite is found all over the world including Scotland, the US, and India.

Learn more about Ozokerite

Isopropyl Myristate

What it does: Emollient, Masking

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Isopropyl Myristate is an emollient, thickening agent, and texture enhancer. It is created from isopropyl alcohol and myristic acid.

It is used to help other ingredients be better absorbed. It is also an emollient and may help soften and hydrate the skin.

The comedogenic rating of this ingredient depends on the concentration. Lower amounts results in a lower rating.

Isopropyl Myristate may not be fungal acne safe. It can potentially worsen acne prone skin.

Learn more about Isopropyl Myristate

Adipic Acid/Diglycol Crosspolymer

What it does:

We don't have a description for Adipic Acid/Diglycol Crosspolymer.

Triethoxycaprylylsilane

What it does:

Community Rating: Disliked

Triethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicone used to bind and stabilize ingredients.

As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. This can help elongate the shelf life of products.

Triethoxycaprylylsilane is often used to coat mineral sunscreens ingredients to help give a better feel. It also helps reduce oxidative stress in sunscreens.

Learn more about Triethoxycaprylylsilane

Neopentyl Glycol Diisostearate

What it does: Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning

Neopentyl Glycol Diisostearate isn't fungal acne safe.

Caprylyl Glycol

What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Liked

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol

Tocopheryl Acetate

What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Liked

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.

Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.

Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate

Embed Ingredients

Here's what our community thinks of the 15 ingredients in this product ✨

20% are loved or liked

0% have mixed ratings

40% are disliked or very disliked

40% have no rating yet

When to use

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

Directions

Apply liberally 15 minutes before sun exposure
reapply:
After 80 minutes of swimming or sweating
Immediately after towel drying
At least every 2 hours
Sun Protection Measures: Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. To decrease this risk, regularly use a sunscreen with a Broad Spectrum SPF value of 15 or higher and other sun protection measures including:
Limit time in the sun, especially from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, hats, and sunglasses
Children under 6 months of age: Ask a doctor