Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 50 Review – Beautiful With Brains

Final Up to date on January 6, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

Actual speak: sunscreen is a kind of merchandise that ought to simply work, however for acne-prone pores and skin it typically appears like of venture – solar safety, sure, however at what value to your pores? That’s the place this Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 50 assessment is available in. This one guarantees one thing most SPF merchandise don’t even speak about – no oil, no shine, and no breakouts. On this assessment we’re going to chop by the hype and speak about the way it really performs, why the elements matter, and whether or not it’s really value your face house.

Key Substances In Neutrogena^® Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50: What Makes It Work?

UV FILTERS

It is a absolutely chemical sunscreen, which is why it may keep this gentle on the pores and skin with out leaving a white forged or that heavy, suffocating feeling mineral SPFs typically give acne-prone faces. The safety comes from a mix of filters that every do one thing barely totally different, however solely actually make sense whenever you take a look at them collectively.

• Avobenzone (3%): Right here for UVA safety, which is the half lots of people underestimate since you don’t really feel it working. UVA rays are those that quietly age the pores and skin, deepen pigmentation, and make previous breakouts go away longer-lasting marks. Avobenzone is among the few filters that really covers the total UVA vary, but it surely’s fragile by itself, which is why it wants backup in a system like this.
• Homosalate (10%): Handles UVB, the burning type of solar publicity, but it surely additionally helps preserve the entire system easy and evenly unfold. With out elements like this, sunscreen safety will be uneven throughout the pores and skin, which issues greater than individuals realise whenever you’re making use of one thing skinny and oil-free.
• Octisalate (5%): Helps UVB safety and helps the sunscreen sit correctly on the pores and skin as an alternative of sliding round as oil manufacturing kicks in throughout the day. This is among the causes this sunscreen feels extra wearable on breakout-prone pores and skin, particularly should you’re used to SPF breaking up by noon.
• Octocrylene (10%): Is doing quiet however important work. It boosts UVB safety, however extra importantly, it retains avobenzone steady as soon as daylight hits the pores and skin. With out octocrylene, avobenzone degrades rapidly, which suggests your UVA safety drops even when the SPF quantity appears spectacular on paper. It additionally contributes to the marginally versatile, water resistant end of the system.

Taken collectively, this filter system provides broad-spectrum safety with out forcing the system into one thing heavy, greasy, or pore-clogging – which is the entire purpose this sunscreen exists within the first place.

Associated: Mineral Sunscreen VS Chemical Sunscreen: Which One Is Better For Skin?

The Relaxation Of The Formulation & Substances

• Water: Clearly the bottom, but it surely’s greater than that. It’s what makes this sunscreen unfold with out feeling such as you’re smothering your face in glue, it’s what lets all the pieces else even exist in your pores and skin with out collapsing underneath its personal weight, and actually it’s the rationale your face doesn’t freak out the second you contact it.
• Silica: This little powdery factor is magic for shiny pores and skin. It soaks up shine, blurs pores, makes your pores and skin look smoother, and doesn’t go away that bizarre dry powdery really feel that a whole lot of “mattifying” elements do; principally your face feels prefer it’s there however not attempting to suffocate your pores and skin.
• Cetyl Dimethicone: One of many silicons that makes this glide prefer it’s alive; it smooths bumps, softens the pores and skin, and someway tips your mind into forgetting you’re sporting sunscreen in any respect whereas nonetheless really doing its job.
• Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer: That is the stuff that retains all the pieces the place you place it as an alternative of sliding round with the primary trace of warmth or oil; with out it your SPF could possibly be patchy and inconsistent after which what’s the purpose of even making use of it?
• C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate: Feels mushy but in addition type of slippery in a weirdly great way and it spreads throughout your face with out sticking or clinging in bizarre patches and someway it balances all of the oil-absorbing stuff .
• Steareth-100: Works invisibly within the background retaining water and oils from separating and also you actually don’t discover it in any respect till it’s not there and immediately your sunscreen is lumpy or bizarre.
• Ethylhexylglycerin: Tiny little multitasker that’s largely invisible but in addition retains your pores and skin chill whereas serving to preservatives do their factor so nothing goes gross or will get micro organism or no matter and your face doesn’t freak out.
• Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate: These things is principally an oil-eating sponge that simply hangs out in your pores and skin quietly grabbing all of the shine and retaining your face matte however not dry and it blurs your pores just a little.
• Phenoxyethanol: Preservative, boring, sure, but in addition vital as a result of in any other case micro organism would have a celebration and immediately your SPF can be ineffective.
• Caprylyl Glycol: Works with the preservative but in addition sneaks in a tiny little bit of moisture so your pores and skin doesn’t really feel like sandpaper underneath all of the chemical filters.
• Sodium Polyacrylate: Thickener, stabilizer, no matter you wish to name it, it stops the sunscreen from being watery or bizarre or separating when you attempt to smear it throughout your face.
• Dimethicone: Silicone magic that smooths bumps and makes the sunscreen really feel like your pores and skin and never like a plastic masks and someway it tips your mind into forgetting you’re sporting sunscreen whereas nonetheless defending you.
• Steareth-2: Works with Steareth-100 to maintain the system from freaking out mid-application and separating or turning patchy .
• Polyester-7: Movie-forming stuff that retains the sunscreen caught regardless of should you contact your face or sweat or transfer round.
• Chlorphenesin: Tiny preservative that retains micro organism away quietly.
• Ethylhexyl Stearate: Softens pores and skin and balances out the matte elements so your face doesn’t really feel tight or greasy or weirdly matte.
• Disodium EDTA: Nerdy ingredient that grabs metals that would destabilize your sunscreen so it stays constant and doesn’t go bizarre in your pores and skin.
• Propylene Glycol: Pulls in water and retains pores and skin hydrated underneath all of the chemical filters and makes the lotion glide as an alternative of drag.
• Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate: Velvety texture that spreads effortlessly, doesn’t cling or really feel heavy and someway makes sunscreen utility nearly… pleasing?
• Bisabolol: Chamomile-derived, soothing, calming, principally makes your pores and skin chill whereas all of the chemical filters do their factor so your face doesn’t flare up or freak out.
• Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer: Retains the sunscreen versatile as an alternative of stiff so it strikes along with your face and doesn’t crack.
• Butylene Glycol: Hydrates, retains all the pieces glidey, feels gentle even underneath make-up or in warmth and is principally the unsung hero of retaining sunscreen snug.
• Mannan: Sugar-derived conditioner that smooths hydration, retains pores and skin mushy, snug, not slippery, not bizarre, simply balanced underneath SPF.
• Xanthan Gum: Thickener that stabilizes the lotion so it doesn’t get watery or patchy and spreads evenly.
• BHT: Antioxidant that stops oils from going off so sunscreen really works and doesn’t flip bizarre over time.
• Capryloyl Glycine: Helps regulate oil manufacturing, retains pores and skin balanced, prevents breakouts or grease from making SPF annoying.
• Trideceth-6: Surfactant that makes all the pieces unfold evenly and retains the sunscreen from separating or feeling patchy midway by.
• Sarcosine: Works with oil-control stuff to maintain pores and skin matte and balanced so your face doesn’t flip right into a grease catastrophe a number of hours after making use of.
• Cedrus Atlantica Bark Extract: Antimicrobial stuff that quietly helps your pores and skin keep calm and clear and doesn’t freak out underneath SPF.
• Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract: Antioxidant and antimicrobial, tiny however protecting, helps pores and skin deal with stress, UV, the entire mess.
• Portulaca Oleracea Extract: Plant extract that soothes irritation, provides antioxidants, retains delicate pores and skin chill whereas SPF does its factor.

Texture

Neutrogena’s Clear Face Sunscreen SPF is wild; you pump it out, smear it on, and it spreads prefer it’s alive, like your face is simply absorbing it fairly than sporting it. It’s mushy however not slippery-greasy. You barely really feel it however your pores and skin is roofed, and I saved checking like “wait is there sunscreen on me?” However sure there may be, it simply doesn’t combat you.

Perfume

Actually, nearly nothing, possibly a faint chemical whiff at first, disappears in seconds; it’s the type of factor you neglect is there, doesn’t make your pores and skin really feel perfumed or bizarre, which is a miracle as a result of I hate scented facial sunscreen on my face.

How To Use It

Dot it in all places, rub in small circles, it spreads ridiculously effectively, you barely must suppose; wait a minute earlier than make-up if you would like, works underneath basis, doesn’t ball up should you’re light; reapplying noon is just a little difficult however manageable should you dab, not rub. It’s just for exterior use, clearly. 

Product Packaging

Easy tube, squeezable, sturdy sufficient for a bag, no leaks, no large pointless pump, appears like somebody really considered it being helpful, not fancy, simply useful and also you don’t must combat it to get sunscreen out.

Efficiency & Private Opinion

This sunscreen really works. It goes on mushy, disappears into the pores and skin, and someway retains my T-zone underneath management with out feeling tight or dry, which is stunning for a chemical SPF. It layers underneath make-up surprisingly effectively; I’ve pressed basis over it and it didn’t tablet or separate. Reapplying noon is just a little difficult should you’re impatient, however largely it really works effective. I’ve worn it outdoors, underneath warmth and slight sweat, and it nonetheless held up, retaining shine down and my pores and skin calm. My cheeks didn’t flare up, my brow stayed manageable, and even with a lurking breakout, it didn’t make something worse. The is a matte sunscreen however the end is pure, not chalky or sticky. The one draw back is should you overdo it, it may really feel just a little heavy on oily pores and skin, and reapplication over make-up takes endurance. However total, it’s an efficient sunscreen that does precisely what it guarantees: protects, stays invisible, and retains pores and skin snug whereas sporting all of it day.

What I Like About Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 50

• Water-light texture, disappears into pores and skin, doesn’t really feel like a masks
• Matte/semi-matte end retains shine down with out drying bizarre
• Layers underneath make-up with out pilling or clumping
• Nearly no perfume, barely discover it’s there
• Doesn’t irritate or make pores and skin freak out even when delicate
• Oil-free broad spectrum SPF that protects you from dangerous rays 
• Good for outside actions 

What I DON’T Like About Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 50

• Can really feel barely greasy should you over-apply on tremendous oily pores and skin
• Reapplying over make-up is hard; it’s a must to watch out
• Not good for everybody; some individuals’s pores and skin could react

Who Ought to Use This?

• Oily, mixture, or acne-prone individuals
• Anybody who hates sticky heavy sunscreens
• Anybody layering underneath make-up and desires it invisible
• Dry pores and skin of us may want a light-weight moisturizer underneath it

Does Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 50 Stay Up To Its Claims?

Value & Availability

$19.49 at Target, Ulta and Walmart

The Verdict: Ought to You Purchase It?

For those who hate thick, sticky sunscreens and need one which disappears, controls shine, layers underneath make-up, protects your pores and skin with out freaking it out, sure. It’s not good for everybody however for acne-prone or oily pores and skin, this Neutrogena sunscreen is among the best, most forgiving SPFs I’ve tried.