Neutrogena Healthy Defense SPF50

Ingredients overview

Label order. Colour is our internal rating: green routine, yellow restricted or worth a look, red prohibited or high-risk, grey not yet decoded.

Ingredients are listed in label order; the order reflects the label only, not exact concentrations.

1. Titanium Dioxide 5%
2. Zinc Oxide 3%
3. Water
4. C12-15 alkyl benzoate
5. Ethylhexyl Isononanoate
6. Styrene/acrylates copolymer
7. Dimethicone
8. Silica
9. Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate
10. Glycerin
11. Glyceryl Stearate
12. Cetyl Alcohol
13. PEG-100 Stearate
14. Ethylhexylglycerin
15. Polyhydroxystearic acid
16. Phenoxyethanol
17. Alumina
18. Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
19. PEG-75 STEARATE
20. Pentylene Glycol
21. Bisabolol
22. Caprylyl Glycol
23. Isohexadecane
24. Chlorphenesin
25. Aluminum stearate
26. Disodium EDTA
27. PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer
28. Ceteth-20
29. Steareth-20
30. Dipropylene glycol dibenzoate
31. Triethoxycaprylylsilane
32. Polysorbate 60
33. PPG-15 STEARYL ETHER BENZOATE
34. BHT

Highlights

Free of alcoholFree of fragranceFree of parabensFree of sulfatesFree of essential oilsFree of formaldehyde releasersContains siliconesContains PEGContains mineral oil

Key ingredients

ANTIPLAQUE

Water

ANTIMICROBIAL

C12-15 alkyl benzoate

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Ethylhexyl IsononanoateEthylhexyl Hydroxystearate

FILM FORMING

Styrene/acrylates copolymer

ANTIFOAMING

Dimethicone

ABRASIVE

Silica

DENATURANT

Glycerin

Other ingredients

Titanium Dioxide 5%Zinc Oxide 3%Glyceryl StearateCetyl AlcoholPEG-100 StearateEthylhexylglycerinPolyhydroxystearic acidPhenoxyethanolAluminaHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate CopolymerPEG-75 STEARATEPentylene GlycolBisabololCaprylyl GlycolIsohexadecaneChlorphenesinAluminum stearateDisodium EDTAPPG-12/SMDI CopolymerCeteth-20Steareth-20Dipropylene glycol dibenzoateTriethoxycaprylylsilanePolysorbate 60PPG-15 STEARYL ETHER BENZOATEBHT

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Titanium Dioxide 5%

Not decoded yet

Zinc Oxide 3%

Not decoded yet

Water

Primary solvent and base; requires preservative system to prevent microbial growth

C12-15 alkyl benzoate

C12-15 alkyl benzoate; emollient, emulsifier, and antistatic; aids stability and smoothness, moderate low comedogenicity.

Ethylhexyl Isononanoate

Light synthetic ester for smooth, non-greasy feel; low irritation, non-comedogenic

Styrene/acrylates copolymer

Film former and opacifier for powder makeup; some batches contain sensitizing monomers.

Dimethicone

Silicone occlusive at 1–5%; provides smooth feel, non-penetrating, suitable for sensitive skin

Silica

Silica powder at 1–10%; absorbs oil, thickens, provides matte finish, for oil-control products

Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate

Ester emollient 1-5%; non-comedogenic, silky, compatible with sunscreens

Glycerin

Workhorse humectant at 3–10%; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives

Glyceryl Stearate

Emulsifier at 1-3%; may require acid to prevent saponification

Cetyl Alcohol

Cetyl alcohol for emulsification/thickening; high concentration >10% may irritate.

PEG-100 Stearate

Non-ionic emulsifier, requires ionics for stability; check PEG for formaldehyde.

Ethylhexylglycerin

Mild conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–1%; reduces preservative load, smooth feel

Polyhydroxystearic acid

Emulsifier and stabilizer at 1–3%; non-ionic, prone to hydrolysis.

Phenoxyethanol

Broad-spectrum preservative at ≤1%; may irritate sensitive eye areas, often paired with ethylhexylglycerin

Alumina

Alumina, inorganic abrasive/thickener; nano-grade requires inhalation risk assessment.

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

High-molecular-weight thickener and emulsion stabilizer; requires electrolytes or acid adjustment near isoelectric point for optimal performance.

PEG-75 STEARATE

PEG-75 stearate, non-ionic emulsifier/thickener; PEG-based, check for 1,4-dioxane limits, not used in some markets.

Pentylene Glycol

Polyol humectant at 1-3%; low irritancy, suitable for sensitive skin

Bisabolol

Soothing and anti-inflammatory agent, 0.01–0.1%; low irritation, good for sensitive skin.

Caprylyl Glycol

Polyol conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–3%; emollient feel, often paired with 1,2-hexanediol

Isohexadecane

Lightweight mineral-oil-derived emollient and solvent; low viscosity, non-comedogenic, improves texture

Chlorphenesin

Phenolic antimicrobial; strict EU limits apply, potential allergen, careful dosing required for leave-on products.

Aluminum stearate

Aluminum stearate used as anticaking, emulsion stabilizer, and viscosity controller; restricted to IV/150 uses, avoid direct contact with acids.

Disodium EDTA

Chelating agent at 0.05–0.5%; sequesters metal ions for stability, boosts preservative efficacy

PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer

Film former, hair styling, volatile, dry touch, non-comedogenic.

Ceteth-20

Not decoded yet

Steareth-20

Not decoded yet

Dipropylene glycol dibenzoate

Non-ionic emulsifier/emollient with humectant properties; viscous liquid.

Triethoxycaprylylsilane

Silane coupling agent at 0.1-0.5%; enhances inorganic filler adhesion, trace use, low toxicity, avoid direct contact with aqueous systems.

Polysorbate 60

Non-ionic emulsifier and solubilizer for O/W or W/O stability; may cause mild stinging on sensitive skin, typically 1-5%.

PPG-15 STEARYL ETHER BENZOATE

Oil-soluble solubilizer and emollient; bridges essential oils into aqueous systems, 1–5%.

BHT

Lipophilic antioxidant at 0.01-0.05%; ineffective with acidic systems, label-sensitive, check regulatory limits as preservative alternative.