Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen Stick SPF 50

Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen Stick SPF 50
2.8
/ 10
Moisturizing
0.3 Humectancy icon Humectancy
5.3 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
50
SPF icon
SPF

Review

Does Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 work?

Based on the ingredient list analysis by CreamScan AI, these are the key benefits you can expect from using Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen Stick SPF 50:

  • Light moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 2.8 out of 10.
  • Very high sun protection for prolonged sun exposure, such as spending the day at the beach, hiking, or outdoor sports.

Moisturizer with the right occlusivity for normal skin, ideally to be used with extra humectants

According to CreamScan analysis, Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 is lightly moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 2.8 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Rather occlusive. It has a low humectancy of 0.3 out of 10 and a moderate occlusivity of 5.3 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Synthetic Wax (est. ≈6.0%) and Paraffin (est. ≈4.0%).

This type of product, when used as a standalone moisturizer, may provide some occlusive moisturizing that is adequate for normal skin.

However, it contains a low level of humectants, and people with normal skin would definitely benefit from adding more humectants to their moisturizing routine beyond what this product offers. If this is your only moisturizer, it may be worth including a humectant-rich product, such as a serum, in your skincare routine.

 

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Very high sun protection for prolonged sun exposure, all skin types, and high-risk conditions

With an SPF of 50, Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 provides very high sun protection, suitable for intense sun exposure in tropical climates, beach vacations, or high-altitude environments.

This level of SPF blocks 98% or more of UVB rays, offering the highest level of defense against sunburn. Broad-spectrum formulations also provide strong protection against UVA rays, which are responsible for skin aging, pigmentation, and DNA damage.

For optimal protection, choose products labeled broad-spectrum to ensure defense against both UVA rays, which contribute to skin aging and pigmentation, and UVB rays that cause sunburn.

This level of SPF is ideal for all skin types, particularly fair, sensitive, or post-treatment skin (e.g., after laser or chemical procedures). It is also highly recommended for individuals at greater risk of skin cancer.

For extended outdoor activities or water exposure, choose a water-resistant formula and reapply every two hours for maximum effectiveness.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
50
21.6
11
6
4
3
2
1.5
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate
Function:
Origin:
Zinc Oxide
Function:
Origin:
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Function:
Origin:
Synthetic Wax
Function:
Origin:
Paraffin
Function:
Origin:
Silica
Function:
Origin:
Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
Function:
Origin:
Ozokerite
Function:
Origin:
Isopropyl Myristate
Function:
Origin:
Adipic Acid/Diglycol Crosspolymer
Function:
Origin:
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Function:
Origin:
Neopentyl Glycol Diisostearate
Function:
Origin:
Caprylyl Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Oil
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
10.6
6.0
4.0
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
2.8
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 0.3 10
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 10.6 20
5.3
6.0
4.0
0.3
0.3
Moisturizing rating
2.8
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
0.3
All humectants 0.3 10
0.3
All humectants
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
6
4
0.3
0.3
All occlusives 10.6 20
5.3
All occlusives
10.6
6.0
4.0
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
None
Total
0
None
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
0.3
All antioxidants 0.3 3 No
All antioxidants
0.3
Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Oil
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
None
All soothing 0 5 No
All soothing
0
None
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate
Est. %50
Function
Origin
Octyldodecyl NeopentanoateA synthetic emollient ester. This clear, colorless liquid has a unique sensorial profile that is light and silky, with good lubricity.
Zinc Oxide
Est. %21.6
Function
Origin
Zinc OxideA white mineral powder mainly used in skincare as a physical sunscreen. It protects against UVA light that leads to visible signs of aging, including wrinkles and fine lines. Zinc oxide can also be used as a colorant to enhance the whiteness of a product.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Est. %11
Function
Origin
C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateA synthetic emollient ester. It works to improve the appearance of the skin by filling in the microcracks on the surface, thereby making the skin appear softer and smoother. It imparts a lightweight, velvety feel.
Synthetic Wax
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Synthetic Wax
Paraffin
Est. %4
Function
Origin
ParaffinParaffin is a petroleum-based, very oily, emollient and extremely occlusive mixture of purified hydrocarbons, also known as mineral oil. Depending on the molecule's size, it can either be a liquid, a solid, or anything in between. To learn more about liquid paraffin and its effects on our skin, read here.
Silica
Est. %3
Function
Origin
SilicaA widely used cosmetic ingredient with the same chemical composition as the sand found on beaches. A common function of silica is its ability to control viscosity. In certain chemical forms, it can effectively thicken cream-style products.
Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Neopentyl Glycol DiethylhexanoateNeopentyl glycol diethylhexanoate is a blend of neopentyl glycol, an organic chemical compound used in production of lubricants, and hexanoic fatty acid. The ingredient has similar properties to its brother - Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate. It also serves as an emollient or a formula thickness adjuster.
Ozokerite
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
OzokeriteA petroleum based wax that comes in a variety of forms, all with different melting points and therefore different performance and feel. Overall ozokerite is often used for solid products like lipsticks.
Isopropyl Myristate
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Isopropyl MyristateA fast-spreading, cost-effective, non-greasy emollient that is typically used for lubrication, spreadability, or to remove “tackiness” from a product. Isopropyl Myristate is listed as a common comedogenic ingredient by acne.org.
Adipic Acid/Diglycol Crosspolymer
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Adipic Acid/Diglycol Crosspolymer
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
TriethoxycaprylylsilaneA binding and coating ingredient that allows pigments like iron oxides and mica to disperse better in oily environments. This leads to more vibrant colors.
Neopentyl Glycol Diisostearate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Neopentyl Glycol Diisostearate
Caprylyl Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Caprylyl GlycolAn emollient that improves product spreadability and offers a silky feel on the skin. It also acts as a preservative booster that improves the efficacy of other preservatives. According to the manufacturer, it is also a humectant moisturizer.
Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Oil