Neutrogena

Sheer Zinc.

About this product

Neutrogena Sheer Zinc is a zinc oxide-based mineral sunscreen intended to provide daily sun protection.

Full ingredients

Zinc Oxide (21.6%), Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Octyldodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Ethyl Methicone, Silica, Cetyl Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Behenate, Sodium Chloride, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Chlorphenesin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Dimethicone/Bis-Vinyldimethicone Crosspolymer, Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice

Guru Score

80%

Approved

Early verdict · Few reviews so far

2Gurus

2Approved

0Mixed

0Skip

What they liked

Gentle around the eyes when sweating or in water

What they flagged

Very noticeable white cast on skin

What the gurus are saying

The very white cast defines this sunscreen, a trade-off that gurus view differently based on what matters most to them. It's notably gentler on the eyes during sweating and water exposure compared to other active sunscreens, a meaningful advantage if eye sensitivity is your main concern. However, better mineral options now exist, so it's primarily for those who specifically need eye-friendly protection and don't mind the white finish.

Synthesized from 2 expert reviews · most recent take August 2025

Key actives

SPF

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

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What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Approved takes Critical takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

Dr. Vanita Rattan

1.23M subs

✓Approved

"The second one is Neutrogena Sheer Zinc. It's the OG of mineral sunscreens. It's the one that I wore before I even made our own."

All 2 takes from Dr. Vanita Rattan

BEST & WORST MINERAL SPF50 2024

"The problem is it's very, very white. So you're thinking, Dr Me, why did you then promote this product on your channel? And the reason is because two to three years ago there weren't any other options, and really it was this or chemical sunscreens at the time. So you would see me running on the road with a white face wearing this Sheer Zinc. So even though now there are better offerings, and I would give this a pretty low rating out of ten, we're looking at about two or three, just for the nostalgia alone I'm going to give it a five."

WATCH if your HYPERPIGMENTATION is getting worse- Dr Vanita Rattan

"The second one is Neutrogena Sheer Zinc. It's the OG of mineral sunscreens. It's the one that I wore before I even made our own."

Doctorly

3.58M subs

✓Approved

"This is just if you don't care if you have a white cast, this one's for you. Super thick, ultra effective. The reason I love it, I find it to be a lot less irritating on my eyes than a lot of other active sunscreens. Like when you're outside and you're doing active things, you're going to sweat and it's going to run. If you're in the water, it's going to run. Doesn't irritate my eyes like a lot of other active sunscreens."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Sunscreen filters

Sun protection is the best evidenced way to slow visible ageing, and the filters are what does the work. Mineral and chemical filters both protect when a product is applied thickly enough and often enough, which is where most people fall short rather than on the choice of filter.

Source: DermNet

Frequently asked.

What is Neutrogena Sheer Zinc?

Neutrogena Sheer Zinc is a zinc oxide-based mineral sunscreen intended to provide daily sun protection.

Is Neutrogena Sheer Zinc worth it?

Yes. All 2 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 80%.

What is Neutrogena Sheer Zinc's Guru Score?

Neutrogena Sheer Zinc holds a Guru Score of 80%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 2 expert reviewers we have collected.