When I last wrote about sunscreen, it was to extol the virtues of my holy grail sunscreen by the Australia Cancer Council. However, I ran into a spot of trouble before going away on holiday recently because I wanted to travel light without checking in my luggage, and the contents of my usual sunscreen far exceeded the 100ml allowance for carry on luggage! So, in a fit of urgency, I ran off to the nearest pharmacy and hunted down any sunscreen that had contents below 100ml. You’d be surprised to note that there aren’t many at all!
I don’t use Sunplay or any of those watery sorts – I absolutely detest the texture so I was only looking for the creamy sort. The only one I found to suit my needs was the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF50+ which came in a 88ml tube – hurrah!
I’d seen the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer sunblock around for a while but never had reason to get it so what better time to try it.
Neutrogena contains Helioplex – avobenzone + oxybenzone
Neutrogena’s active ingredient for sun blocking is Helioplex. Curious as to what Helioplex is, I looked it up and found that it is a broad spectrum formulation for UVA and UVB protection using Avobenzone and Oxybenzone. You can read more about it here.
What this tells me is that Neutrogena Ultra Sheer sunblock is a chemical based sunscreen. Usually, products with avobenzone and oxybenzone are referred to as sunscreens while those with physical blockers like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are known as sunblocks. I’m not sure therefore how Neutrogena got around it.
Avobenzone according to research can degrade quite quickly when exposed to the sun so it is usually stablized with oxybenzone to reduce this degradation. However, Avobenzone too has a bit of a bad rap in that reports have said that it contributes to a risk of skin cancer – as usual, its all a bit hazy depending on which report you read.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunblock is non greasy
I only used the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer sunblock on my arms and body. For my face I stuck to my Eucerin which works well for me and for which I see no reason to switch.
Whilst the Neutrogena sunblock has a light scent, it does not bother me. The nice thing about it is that its non-greasy once you work it into your skin. The cream is thick but it spreads easily and absorbs quickly. It does not leave your skin feeling dry and papery but neither does it add a layer of oil I sometimes experience with other sunscreens. Even when I was sweating under the hot noonday sun (Don’t try this! Noonday sun is BAD!) I did not experience greasiness of the skin.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunblock is PABA free and non comodegenic
This sunblock can be used for both face and body. I did not try it on my face so I cannot vouch for any facial reactions to it. It is also stated to be waterproof which is useful if you are heading to the beach. In fact this sunblock is on its way to the beach even as you read this – not with me sadly, but with someone else so it gets to see the beach and I don’t! Irony? 😛
SPF50+ PA+++ is sufficient
I applied the sunblock before I left on my daily walkabouts sometimes under the hot sun and I did not experience any burning or reddening of my skin. I was suitably impressed by this considering I did not top up my sunscreen during the day.
On an overall basis, I thought the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer sunblock is a pretty decent sunblock. It kept me from burning under the sun, my skin was soft and non greasy and I did not have any bad experiences with it. Do bear in mind I only used it on my body so I can’t say if it will break you out on your face. For the body however, this is a pretty decent sunscreen and I might repurchase if I finish this up and if I’m going on another holiday simply because of its handy size!
A 88ml tube costs about RM35 at any pharmacy and sometimes goes on sale. It also comes in a spray on mist formula which I did not try but which I do not prefer – I’m old school when it comes to sunscreens. When I slap it on my skin I KNOW that its going on in proper quantities. 🙂
Pros: Travel friendly, Non Greasy, Kept my skin from burning, Affordable
Cons: None unless you are averse to chemical sunscreens
Paris B’s [rating:4/5]
prettybeautiful says
March 19, 2009 at 9:26 amthanks for this review. i have been looking around for a sunblock for body and non-greasy, and easy for travel. guess this is the cool one 😀
ParisB says
March 19, 2009 at 10:07 amHi prettybeautiful
I think this will be right up your alley! Give it a shot.
Faye says
March 19, 2009 at 9:28 amHi PB, It’s voted the Best Sunscreen @consumersearch.com. I too bought one since my Cyberwhite sunblock is almost finishing. So far, no complaints..!!
ParisB says
March 19, 2009 at 10:07 amHi Faye
Thanks for the info. I don’t know about it being best sunscreen but its pretty decent even if I don’t use it on my face.
karen says
March 19, 2009 at 10:14 amthis is my favourite body sunscreen! 😀 all for the reasons u listed, not greasy etc.
ParisB says
March 19, 2009 at 12:19 pmHi Karen
Hurray for non greasy sunscreen! 🙂
muta says
March 19, 2009 at 12:09 pmI bought hits once when I saw lot of great reviews. I first wore it to the beach and it worked great! Then I found out Neutrogena tested on animals… It’s bye bye Neutrogena for me.
Now the sunblock is in the hand of my friend who’s been using it forever.
ParisB says
March 19, 2009 at 12:19 pmHi Muta
Sigh… animal testing is certainly a fly in the ointment of a great product. Glad your friend is liking it too.
aiyu says
March 19, 2009 at 12:45 pmI’ve used this before, overall it’s OK. But it did leave powdery white residue on the nooks of my hands, like between the fingers and elbows, which I didn’t like
ParisB says
March 19, 2009 at 12:47 pmHi Aiyu
Strangely I did not notice this. Thanks for sharing your experience anyway 🙂
Nikki says
March 19, 2009 at 1:15 pmI am using this! this is the only sunblock (to date) that works for me, the scent is great, the texture is great and it’s non greasy! YAY for great minds!!! 😛
ParisB says
March 20, 2009 at 1:39 pmHey Nikki
Yay! I have reports that it doesn’t work so well under very hot sun or in water though. I didn’t test it under those conditions.
Ms. Blacklace says
March 19, 2009 at 3:34 pmI got rashes while using this one!!!! Too drying!
ParisB says
March 20, 2009 at 1:41 pmHi Ms. Blacklace
That is awful! Thank goodness I did not get anything after using it.
Reeka says
March 19, 2009 at 9:23 pmHi..too bad this product didnt work on me.
I’m so excited when first time saw it on oct-nov 08. then i bought it. i use it for my body, esp my hand.
1st day is okay…but 2nd day, there were some white head on my hand, and very itchy….then i stopped. i dont want use it anymore.
but currently i am eyeing the spray one 🙂 dont know if it works or not.
ParisB says
March 20, 2009 at 1:43 pmHi Reeka
Ooh that sounds terrible! I reckon if you are allergic to the ingredients then the spray on one won’t work either.
synical says
March 19, 2009 at 10:38 pmI’m using this one too… and I’ve got a second one on standby when I finish my current one. I like this one for the smell (I don’t mind) and it’s not greasy, as opposed to the rest… *coughBananaBoatcough*
I’ve tried this on my face and it doesn’t add any more grease to my face (which tends to get oily through the day lah).
ParisB says
March 20, 2009 at 1:46 pmHi synical
From the raves and the rants I’m thinking this sunscreen is love it or hate it LOL… glad you fall into the former category! I actually don’t have an issue with Banana Boat – its Coppertone that gets to me 😛
Aretha says
March 20, 2009 at 3:02 amhi paris
dont ever try this on the face. i tried it and it stings. never again! 🙁
ParisB says
March 20, 2009 at 1:48 pmHi Aretha
Ouch! Thanks for the warning! I wouldn’t use it on my face because I’m afraid of clogged pores.
geekchic says
March 20, 2009 at 11:53 amHmm… great review! I’m going to beg someone to send this to me for the next summer 🙂
ParisB says
March 20, 2009 at 1:49 pmHey geekchic
You dont’ have it in Oz? I’d rather stick to the Cancer Council one that you can easily pick up though 😛
plue says
March 20, 2009 at 12:34 pmle sigh, can’t like this at all. my face feels stuffy if i use this and my body feels weird. gave this to my sis. 🙁
i think i shall only use biore! 😛
ParisB says
March 20, 2009 at 1:50 pmHi Plue
The watery sunblocks make my skin feel weird too. At least yours found a good home 🙂
Penelope says
March 20, 2009 at 3:40 pmNeutrogena came out with a new Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunblock with SPF 30. Anyone had give it a try? =)
YZ says
March 22, 2009 at 2:07 amParis, it would be great if you could do a post on airline requirements & restrictions for carry on cosmetic products 🙂
Thanks in advance!
ParisB says
March 22, 2009 at 10:31 amHi YZ
Thanks for the tip! Strangely I never covered this in previous posts 🙂 I’ll work on one soon.
Tine says
March 30, 2009 at 11:02 amY’know what, the next time I’m back (goodness knows when, but I’ll come back sometime :P), I’ll get you a couple of those travel-sized CCA sunscreens. I carry one in my purse, and it’s great for the times which I’ve forgotten to apply on my arms and legs.
Summer says
October 29, 2009 at 8:52 pmi want to know about this sunblock….if we only use for body do we need to buy for oily or normal/dry skin…i have oily skin on the face but normal skin on the body…so which type do i buy??
ParisB says
October 30, 2009 at 9:44 amHi Summer
If you want to use it just for your body then get a formula that suits your body skin type so if your body has a normal skintype then get the one for normal skins. I don’t think this particular product comes in different formula for different skin types though I could be mistaken.
Summer says
October 30, 2009 at 9:47 pmThanks for the info…u such a great helper..
Eisse J says
August 28, 2010 at 1:08 amHi Paris B, I love your reviews. I have dry and sensitive skin & this sunscreen is working for me (face as well as arms). Nevertheless, I am now using it on top of my moisturizer coz my skin is dry-ish. Should I be wearing sunscreen on a clean face instead? Thanks =)
ParisB says
August 30, 2010 at 11:55 amHi Eisse. Glad to know this one works for you. if its moisturizing enough you can use it on bare skin. I prefer using regular skincare and then sunscreen right on top as the last step of skincare.
Eisse J says
August 31, 2010 at 8:30 pmThanks Paris B (^^)
Chin says
June 12, 2012 at 3:01 amIs this available in Malaysia? I need it cause im going to Pangkor soon tho 🙁 does Malaysia’s Sasa have them it drugstores doesnt have them?
Paris B says
June 12, 2012 at 11:09 pmI’m not sure if this is still available. Best to just check the pharmacies and see.