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Sun Protection Measures. Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. To decrease I noticed that it took less time to rub in than Aveeno’s version, and it was less gloopy. Just overall a more pleasant experience. I would like to try the regular non-face version of Neutrogena’s Sheer Zinc sunscreen so I can see how it compares to Aveeno’s. Not as oily as some other sunscreens New York City board-certified dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman also counts this as one of her favorites, noting that the niacinamide can help combat dark spots and any redness, as well. What’s more, she says the formula’s ceramides restore and repair the skin’s natural barrier, and hyaluronic acid helps skin retain moisture—all without the lotion feeling too heavy. It’s no wonder the Skin Cancer Foundation awarded this affordable drugstore gem its Daily Use Seal of Approval, and the National Eczema Foundation endorsed it. I asked my dad which formula he preferred, and if he could tell if one of these products was likely to be easier to apply, since I know that people are constantly complaining that zinc oxide-based sunscreens are hard to rub in. Here’s what he said:
To ensure you are protected from harmful sunbeams at all times, choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and then keep these things in mind when you’re specifically looking for a mineral-based formula in the sunscreen aisle. Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Face Sunscreen SPF 50 is slightly more expensive than its regular counterpart, though the regular version states that it is suitable for “face and body.” These products are very, very similar when you look at their ingredient lists. And both products are very similar to Aveeno Positively Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50, which also contains the exact same concentration of zinc oxide (21.6%). Consider them all part of the 21.6 club, I guess. It’s not as surprising when you consider that Aveeno and Neutrogena are owned by the same company: Johnson & Johnson. The interesting takeaway here is that within the world of non-nano zinc oxide, particle sizes can differ, which may affect the cost of the material itself as well as the cosmetic elegance of a formula and how much of a white cast you end up with. So if you notice that the face version leaves less of a white cast than a similar product with the same percentage of zinc oxide and similar inactive ingredients (which is the case when it comes to the regular, non-face version), it could be due to the particle size of the zinc oxide included in the formula.
Neutrogena ® T/Gel ® everyday range of shampoos are specially designed to help clear your dandruff from first use, and with daily use go on working to keep your scalp flake-free. Consider technology-based or micro-sized formulas. Many people, especially those with darker skin tones, are turned off by the white cast that some mineral sunscreens leave behind. However, there’s a method you can use to gauge a sunscreen’s blending ability. Under a sunscreen’s formula, look for words like “technology” or “micro-sized,” Dr. David says. They mean the ingredients have been turned into “ultra-fine nanoparticles that make the sunscreen less opaque but are just as effective,” she explains. “These formulas blend into the skin much better and don’t leave behind a chalky look.” 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
While the above is, of course, very crucial for a sunscreen to be fully effective, Dr. Akhavan says that the most important thing he looks for in a zinc oxide sunscreen is that it has a comfortable, elegant feel to it. “Mineral sunscreens need to feel silky and luxurious and go on sheer. Otherwise, I find that my patients won’t use them regularly.” Despite these shortcomings, I think I’ll continue using this product enthusiastically and will definitely be trying out the non-face version to see if I notice any difference in terms of white cast and ease of application. I’m hoping that the non-face version will perform just as well, so I can save a little money and just spring for that product instead, since it’s not quite as pricey. Related reading If you have dry skin, here’s a word of warning: Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Face Sunscreen SPF 50 will exacerbate the flakiness of your skin. Make sure you’ve properly moisturized your skin before applying this sunscreen if you don’t want it to accentuate your face dandruff (if you have the dubious honor of being a member of this exclusive club). Miscellaneous notes The face version says that it “won’t sting eyes.” The face version also claims that it is designed to layer under makeup. Ingredients-wise, the face version lists colloidal oatmeal and tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E) slightly earlier in the ingredients list, but I’m not sure if that means anything. My dad’s review of Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Sunscreen SPF 50: Face vs. body versionAlthough this product is fragrance-free, its natural odor is virtually identical to the one I remember from Aveeno Positively Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50. I think it’s probably the chrysanthemum parthenium (feverfew) flower/leaf/stem juice. To me, it smells slightly like baby powder. Not my favorite smell in the world, but not terrible, either. Final thoughts on Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Face Sunscreen SPF 50 I’ve noticed certain brands like Thinksport label their zinc oxide as “non-nano” so I wondered if there were only two types of zinc oxide: nano-sized and non-nano. According to my dad, most products are probably using non-nano zinc oxide, even if they don’t state this explicitly on the label. For reference, let’s take a look at how similar this list is to the Aveeno Positively Mineral Sunscreen (also SPF 50). The only difference I noticed was that polyhydroxystearic acid and glycerin swapped places in these lists. Aveeno Positively Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 ingredients During our own Lab testing, we discovered (and loved) that the creamy consistency covers your entire face easily with a teaspoon-sized amount. As it is a mineral sunscreen, however, it does need quite a lot of rubbing in but once absorbed it leaves a non-greasy matte finish that works well beneath makeup.
So it sounds like my dad thinks that nanoparticles generally aren’t recommended for use in leave-in skin care products for safety reasons. Nanotechnology is probably also more expensive so it seems unlikely that most zine oxide-based sunscreens actually contain nano-sized zinc oxide even if they don’t explicitly state that they use “non-nano zinc oxide.” This is just a guess, of course. The FDA hasn’t taken an official stance on the safety of nanoparticles in cosmetics. If used as directed with other sun protection measures (see Directions), decreases the risk of skin cancer and early It’s much less oily than Coppertone Pure & Simple Sunscreen SPF 50 (reviewed here), but that also makes it a bit more time-consuming to rub in.
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It’s definitely still not perfect, though. I do look slightly Caspery after applying this sunscreen, but I think it’s worth it because of the other benefits it provides. It also does
Dear Emily, nano size is a small particle that ranges between 1 to 100 nanometers in size, it is not to be used for skin care products (especially leave-in products) due to the safety, but non-nano size particles can have different size ranges (for example, 150-300 nanometers or 350-700 nanometers.....) depending on the sources of materials.
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I haven’t tried the regular non-face version, so I don’t have a way to determine if the face version could be worth the price premium because it’s using a more expensive form of zinc oxide that makes it easier to rub in. If you’ve tried both versions and like the face version more, let me know! Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Face Sunscreen SPF 50 review We updated this article in July 2023 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive research done by our team. Take a look at the following series of pictures to see how it looks when I initially apply Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Sunscreen SPF 50 to my hand:
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