Review of Neutrogena Ultrasheer Dry-Touch SPF55 and Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF45

 

Neutrogena Ultrasheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF55

I don't own the full size bottle - I received a freebie sample size.

This is a light lotion, but definitely not as "fluid" as La Roche Posay Fluide Extreme. However, a few minutes after application, it completely absorbs into my skin, leaving it soft and smooth without any greasy residue - definitely "dry-touch."  It has a faint chemical-floral scent, which I am not fond of.

Swatch of Neutrogena UltraSheer Dry Touch SPF55

Active Ingredients:

•  Homosalate 10.0% - absorbs UVB
• Oxybenzone 6.0% - absorbs UVB and UVA2, but possibly photo-carcinogenic
• Octisalate 5.0% - absorbs UVB
• Avobenzone 3.0% - absorbs UVA1; very photo-unstable, but can be stabilized by octocrylene
• Octocrylene 2.8% - absorbs UVB

After punching in the numbers in BASF sunscreen simulator, the estimate was a PPD of 9, PA+++. 

 

Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF45

This is another freebie sample I got from Neutrogena

This one is also a light lotion, but it doesn't leave the "dry-touch" feeling, although it is not greasy either. Makes sense since it is supposed to be a moisturizer. It has the same chemical-floral scent as the one above.

Swatch of Neutrogena Daily Defense Moisturizer SPF45 - as you can see, it has a slightly thicker consistency than then UltraSheer above

The active ingredients are identical to the Neutrogena UltraSheer SPF55, just slightly different percentages.

Active Ingredients:

• Homosalate 12%
• Oxybenzone 6%
• Octisalate 5%
• Avobenzone 3%
• Octocrylene 2.35%

BASF sunscreen simulator estimates that this has a PPD of 8.7, PA+++.

As you can see from the ingredient lists above, the star ingredients for UVA protection in the two Neutrogena sunscreens are Oxybenzone and Avobenzone. This combination, known as Helioplex, is held by Neutrogena. 

If I were to pick one of the Neutrogena sunscreens, I would opt for the UltraSheer Dry-Touch since you can re-apply this throughout the day without making your face greasy. 

I still prefer La Roche Posay, since the use of Mexoryl offers a higher PPD and more photostability.