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Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Invisible Gel Face Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40 ingredients: is it worth it?
Competent everyday sunscreen, not an exceptional facial formula.
Competent everyday sunscreen, not an exceptional facial formula.
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The efficacy score is 3.8/5 because the four chemical filters provide labeled broad-spectrum SPF 40 protection, and the photostabilizing system supports avobenzone stability; however, the formula offers no meaningful treatment actives, no disclosed UVA-PF value, and its very short anhydrous gel base prioritizes finish over barrier support. The safety score is 4.4/5 because it is fragrance-free and avoids oxybenzone, but the high homosalate and octocrylene load may be less suitable for highly reactive skin, while the alcohol-free silicone/emollient base limits unnecessary irritation.
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DemythSkin rates Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Invisible Gel Face Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40 3.8/5 for efficacy and 4.4/5 for safety.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS BY TIER
Gold Standards
High clinical proof | Skin-transformativeReliable
Proven resultsPotent
Developing evidenceOverhyped | Marketing
Hype | Limited dataDocumented Irritants
Evidence-backed flagFORMULATION BASE (5)⌄
FULL INGREDIENT LIST⌄
Active ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 15%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 10%. Inactive ingredients: Isododecane, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Silica, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyester-7, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Tocopheryl Acetate.
WHAT EACH INGREDIENT DOES (14)⌄
- Avobenzone 3%
- UVA sunscreen filter
- Homosalate 15%
- UVB sunscreen filter
- Octisalate 5%
- UVB sunscreen filter
- Octocrylene 10%
- UVB photostabilizing filter
- Isododecane
- Volatile lightweight solvent
- Dimethicone
- Skin-conditioning silicone
- Hydrogenated Castor Oil
- Texture and viscosity agent
- Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
- Light emollient solvent
- Silica
- Oil-absorbing texture modifier
- Dimethicone Crosspolymer
- Silicone gel thickener
- Polyester-7
- Film-forming texture agent
- Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
- Light emollient ester
- Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
- UV-filter photostabilizer
- Tocopheryl Acetate
- Vitamin E antioxidant
EXTERNAL CITATIONS
Avobenzone: FDA Drug Facts label for broad-spectrum sunscreen use.
Octocrylene: FDA Drug Facts label and formulation role as a UV filter.
Tocopheryl Acetate: Listed antioxidant ingredient; secondary to the sunscreen filter system.
DISCLAIMER: THIS ANALYSIS IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY. NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. AI-GENERATED DATA BASED ON PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INGREDIENT LISTS. VERIFY WITH A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Invisible Gel Face Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40: common questions
Is Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Invisible Gel Face Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40 worth it?
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Invisible Gel Face Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40 scores 3.8 out of 5.0 for efficacy (Modest) and 4.4 out of 5.0 for safety (Gentle) on DemythSkin's independent ingredient analysis. Competent everyday sunscreen, not an exceptional facial formula.
What are the key active ingredients in Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Invisible Gel Face Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40?
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Invisible Gel Face Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40 contains no gold-standard actives. Its formula is built on supporting and base ingredients rather than clinically transformative actives.
Does Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Invisible Gel Face Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40 contain fragrance or known irritants?
DemythSkin's analysis found no flagged irritants in Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Invisible Gel Face Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40. It scores 4.4 out of 5.0 for safety.
How is Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Invisible Gel Face Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40 scored?
DemythSkin grades every product on two independent scores: efficacy (whether the ingredients have clinical evidence of working) and safety (irritation and sensitisation risk). Ingredients are graded S through D against a database of over 3,000 compounds. Brand and price are not part of the score, and no brand pays for one.
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