Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Review

Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 50
1.2
/ 10
Moisturizing
0.3 Humectancy icon Humectancy
2.2 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
50
SPF icon
SPF
Review

Does Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 50 has to offer:
 
✅ A bit of moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 1.2 out of 10.
✅ Very high sun protection for prolonged sun exposure, such as spending the day at the beach, hiking, or outdoor sports.

  

Key Benefits of Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 50

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 50:
 

🔵 Slight Moisturizing When Used Alone

According to CreamScan analysis, Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 50 is slightly moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 1.2 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? This product has relatively comparable levels of Humectancy and Occlusivity: a low Humectancy of 0.3 out of 10 and a low Occlusivity of 2.2 out of 10.

This type of product provides relatively light moisturizing on its own but can contribute to overall moisturizing efficacy when used as part of a skincare routine, alongside another moisturizer.

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 Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Stick Broad Spectrum 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.

📌 Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our AI model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Things to Be Aware Of: Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 50

 
CreamScan AI identified a few things to consider before adding Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 50 to your skincare routine:
 

⚠️ As a Standalone Moisturizer, It Has Relatively Low Moisturizing Potential

If you use Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 50 for moisturizing purposes, please keep in mind that it provides relatively light moisturizing on its own, and, more importantly, it’s not optimal for any skin type.

On one hand, it has low occlusivity, which suits oily and combination skin. On the other hand, it has a low estimated concentration of humectants, which are essential for effective moisturizing of all skin types, including oily skin.

Therefore, if used as a standalone moisturizer, this product should be paired with a humectant-rich moisturizer for optimal skin hydration.

Pros & Cons of Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 50

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 50 to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

🟩 Pros:

Provides relatively light moisturizing on its own but can contribute to the moisturizing efficacy of any skincare routine
✅ Provides very high sun protection, ideal for intense sun exposure in tropical climates, high-altitude environments, and beach vacations, suitable for all skin types
 

⭕ Cons: 

⚠️ Minimal moisturizing efficacy, even for oily skin - something to keep in mind if this is the only moisturizer in your routine
   

Summary: Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 50

 
Based on the ingredient list analysis, CreamScan AI suggests that Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 50
, as a moisturizer, provides relatively light hydration on its own but can enhance the moisturizing efficacy of any skincare routine.
 
With an SPF of 50, Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 50 delivers very high sun protection, perfect for intense sun exposure in tropical climates, high-altitude settings, and beach vacations, and suitable for all skin types.
 
That said, there are some things about Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 50 worth noting.
 
If you use Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 50 as your primary moisturizer, please keep in mind that it provides only light hydration, which isn’t actually ideal for any skin type. While its low occlusivity may work for oily and combination skin, it lacks sufficient humectants, which are vital for effective hydration of any skin type. Therefore, for optimal moisturizing results, it should be paired with a humectant-rich moisturizer.
 
❗️ Fact check. At CreamScan, we are committed to accuracy and fairness. If you spot any errors or something that doesn’t seem right, please click here to let us know. We regularly update the ingredient lists and monitor the latest research on ingredient efficacy to ensure that our information remains as complete and precise as possible.

 

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:
Polyethylene
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:
Tocopheryl Acetate
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
4.3
4.0
0.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
1.2
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 0.3 10
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 4.3 20
2.2
4.0
0.3
Moisturizing rating
1.2
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
4
0.3
All occlusives 4.3 20
2.2
All occlusives
4.3
4.0
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
Tocopheryl Acetate
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.
Polyethylene
Est. %6
Function
Origin
PolyethyleneCommonly used in dense plastic packaging, its primary function in skincare is as a film-forming agent, which protects the product from being easily rinsed away by water or sweat. It also controls viscosity by increasing the thickness of oily products.
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.
Tocopheryl Acetate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Tocopheryl Acetate

An antioxidant derivative of tocopherol (vitamin E). It helps to protect cells from free radicals and UV damage through the conversion to active vitamin E in the skin. It is more stable than tocopherol.