Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Face Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50, 2 Fl. Oz.

Product Information

Note: We experimented with this product both in our lab and at home, and in both scenarios, we noticed that the serum is on the runnier side. To avoid making a mess and wasting precious product, we recommend taking your time and being intentional about how much product you dispense with the dropper. Interestingly, both of these sunscreens contain some sort of oat-based product, perhaps because they’re both marketed for sensitive skin. Colloidal oatmeal is commonly used in eczema products because it is known to soothe itchy, inflamed skin. With this advice in mind, we tried it ourselves and can honestly say that the clear zinc oxide protects skin even through the most grueling workouts or hikes, so you can be sure it will do the job even if you’re just out for a walk. Plus, it’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and provides broad-spectrum coverage against UVA and UVB rays. Dear Emily, they’re the same formula except Aveeno brand always add oat flour into the formula, I would just choose the one with lower price, usually the Neutrogena is slightly lower.

If you’re looking for a formula that contains both mineral and chemical SPF, consider this option. It’s a hybrid that blends zinc oxide and octinoxate, a chemical sunscreen ingredient, both of which are chemically proven to prevent UV damage. We love how the formula goes on totally clear—so there’s no white cast—and it dries almost immediately. We also like it as an option for acne-prone skin since it’s oil-free and contains anti-inflammatory niacinamide and gently exfoliating lactic acid. Oftentimes, glowy products can be greasy on the skin, but this one isn't. In fact, when testing this product on dry skin, we found the formula slightly drying after using it for several days in a row, so we recommend applying it on top of moisturizer unless you have super oily skin. As far as the texture goes, this is marketed as being very lightweight and I’d completely agree with that. My skin veers toward dry most of the time, and, if anything, I wanted this to be slightly richer and more moisturizing. The formulas I gravitate towards are usually a bit creamier and allow me to get away without moisturizer. When I applied this on completely bare skin, I found I definitely needed a layer of moisturizer underneath. The sunscreen went on a bit smoother and blended in more easily when my skin was more hydrated. But, if your skin is oily or combination, you may very well feel differently. Mineral and chemical sunscreens each have pros and cons, depending on your skin type and tone, but remember the general rule of thumb: Applying any sunscreen to protect your skin is better than using no sunscreen at all. What should you look for when shopping for mineral sunscreen?Turn to this multi-use formula if you’re looking for a product that can prime and protect your skin all in one shot. You’ll also really like this one if you want something to add a subtle glow to your skin. It’s nice to see that Aveeno has shared data about this product’s UVA protection factor, since it can’t actually list a UVAPF number on the label. You can see that Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Face Dry Touch Sunscreen was not listed in this pamphlet, perhaps because it offers similar protection to Aveeno’s Positively Mineral Sunscreen, and Aveeno only wanted to feature sunscreens that didn’t perform as well as this particular product. Just a guess. This is a good option for you if you’re not totally sure about whether you want a mineral or chemical formula—it’s a nice blend of the two. Furthermore, it goes on clear, so it’s worth trying if you don’t want to deal with a white cast.

A welcome addition to any beach bag or on-the-go makeup kit, this brush-on SPF is great for sunscreen touch-ups on both bare skin and on top of a full face of makeup. As my dad noted, Aveeno has doubled down on oat flour as a main ingredient in many of its products, including the Aveeno Moisturizing Bar for Dry Skin I reviewed a few months ago. Aveeno Positively Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 review Caitlyn Martyn is a commerce writer on staff at Byrdie, where she covers all things beauty and style. She is obsessed with sunscreen and hasn’t gone a day without her Supergoop! Mattescreen in over two years. She’s an acne-prone, sensitive skin girlie herself, so she knows a thing or two about finding the right mineral sunscreen that’ll suit your skin. In the past, many mineral sunscreens were dry, spread like paste, and might’ve left you looking like Casper on your beach day. These days, they have more blendable formulas—many of which claim to leave minimal or no white cast at all. Before we get into our favorites, we tapped a handful of dermatologists to give you the low-down on mineral SPF. What’s the difference between mineral and chemical sunscreen? It comes in four different shades that blend into a wide range of skin tones, so it’s likely you’ll find a decent match. Just keep in mind that it’s a powder, so it can cling to dry patches. Be sure to layer on a good moisturizer before application if you have especially dry skin.Our testing found that it blends beautifully into the skin and doesn't pill when makeup is layered on top of it. We also love that the applicator makes it easy to dole out the ideal amount of product for all-day coverage. Again, the best mineral sunscreen is the one that you’re actually going to use (and reapply, ideally every two hours!). “There’s nothing that damages the skin as much as the sun,” Dr. Kim says. Sure, your SPF can stave off premature aging and dark spots, but let’s not forget the main reason why we need and love it: It is one of the best tools we have to prevent skin cancer. The best mineral sunscreens One last downside of this sunscreen: It’s a bit challenging to remove. However, this is typically the case with every zinc oxide sunscreen I’ve tried in the past, so Aveeno is not the only one guilty of this crime. This sunscreen leaves behind a waxy residue that’s hard to dissolve. You need to use some sort of oil cleanser or makeup remover to get it all off. I’m curious to see if Neutrogena’s formula has the same downsides as this product, including the weird smell. I’ll let you know what happens when I finally try that one out. Related reading

Araviiskaia E, Berardesca E, Bieber T, Gontijo G, Sanchez Viera M, Marrot L, Chuberre B, Dreno B. The impact of airborne pollution on skin. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019 Aug;33(8):1496-1505. doi: 10.1111/jdv.15583. Epub 2019 Apr 26. PMID: 30897234; PMCID: PMC6766865.

If you’d like to cut down on products used each morning, this might be the product for you. It combines three steps—a serum, an SPF, and a foundation–at once. As you might surmise, this is a fantastic option for those with acne-prone skin. It boasts a slight green tint that helps offset the look of redness from breakouts and scars. I solemnly swear to research skin care and beauty products, ask my dad (the chemist) for advice, and share those findings with you! Learn More During testing, we appreciated the healthy glow it gave us (which, might we add, lasted all day long) and the fact that it didn’t cause any irritation, which can happen with some chemical sunscreens. It’s not the most hydrating, so we suggest layering on some moisturizer before application to ensure skin stays hydrated throughout the day.

I wore it during a fairly intense workout and it never dripped or ran into my eyes, even when I got sweaty. How the Neutrogena Purescreen+ Mineral UV Tint Face Liquid Sunscreen Works on Different Skin Types—Even Highly Sensitive Skin Byrdie / Melanie Rud How the Neutrogena Purescreen+ Mineral UV Tint Face Liquid Sunscreen Works on Different Skin Tones I love trying zinc oxide sunscreens. Over the course of 2019, I’ve tried quite a few, including: Bare Republic Face Sunscreen SPF 30, All Good Sunscreen Butter SPF 50+, Coppertone Pure & Simple Sunscreen SPF 50, Badger Clear Zinc Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30, Hawaiian Sol SPF 50 Reef Safe Sunscreen. And that’s just listing the solely zinc oxide-based ones. I’ve also tried other physical sunscreens that contain a mixture of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. If you’re looking for something that holds up against sweating and splashing, this is a solid option to consider. The only thing we didn’t love about it during testing was that the bottle got greasy and, therefore, became hard to use.Gehring W. Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2004;3(2):88-93. doi: 10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00115.x