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HAZARD SCORE RANGE
Scoring legend
HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES LEARN MORE ABOUT EWG VERIFIED®

HOME / daily use SPF / moisturizer with SPF


Score

Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer, Sensitive Skin, SPF 50

WHERE TO BUY

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CATEGORY

daily use SPF

BRAND

Neutrogena

DATA LAST UPDATED

July 09, 2024

Health Concerns

  • MODERATE
    Cancer
  • HIGH
    Allergies & Immunotoxicity
  • LOW
    Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity
  • HIGH
    Use Restrictions

Efficacy Concerns

  • Caution We have flagged this product with 2 concerns
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    Find better scoring products

    Based on EWG's modeling, the UV protection is significantly lower than the SPF value would indicate.

    Sunscreens can break down while still in the bottle. To be safe dispose of products when the mixture clumps or separates.
  • high
    UVA/UVB Balance

Ingredient Scores

Ingredients are scored based on their formulation and concentration in this product. Click on an ingredient for more information.

Zinc Oxide(Sunscreen Grade) active ingredient 5%
Data Availability: Good
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CONCERNS Cancer (low), Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low), Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate), Use restrictions (moderate), Persistence and bioaccumulation (low), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low), Ecotoxicology (low), Occupational hazards (moderate), Biochemical or cellular level changes (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
TITANIUM DIOXIDE (sunscreen grade) active ingredient 3%
Data Availability: Good
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CONCERNS Cancer (moderate), Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low), Allergies/immunotoxicity (low), Use restrictions (moderate), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low), Occupational hazards (high), Biochemical or cellular level changes (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
WATER
Data Availability: Robust
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CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
ETHYLHEXYL ISONONANOATE
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Use restrictions (low), Contamination concerns (METHACRYLIC ACID, ACRYLIC ACID, and 2-ETHYLHEXYL ACRYLATE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
DIMETHICONE
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS Use restrictions (moderate), Persistence and bioaccumulation (high), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Ecotoxicology (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low), Contamination concerns (CYCLOPENTASILOXANE and CYCLOTETRASILOXANE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
SILICA, AMORPHOUS
Data Availability: Good
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CONCERNS Cancer (moderate), Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low), Use restrictions (low), Persistence and bioaccumulation (high), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
ETHYLHEXYL HYDROXYSTEARATE
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Use restrictions (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
GLYCERIN
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS Use restrictions (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
CETYL ALCOHOL
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
PEG-100 STEARATE
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE and 1,4-DIOXANE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (low), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Ecotoxicology (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
POLYHYDROXYSTEARIC ACID
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
PHENOXYETHANOL
Data Availability: Good
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CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (low), Use restrictions (moderate), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Ecotoxicology (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high), Occupational hazards (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
ALUMINA
Data Availability: Robust
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CONCERNS Cancer (low), Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low), Allergies/immunotoxicity (high), Enhanced skin absorption, Persistence and bioaccumulation (moderate), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
HYDROXYETHYL ACRYLATE/ SODIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE COPOLYMER
Data Availability: None
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CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
PEG-75 STEARATE
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE and 1,4-DIOXANE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
PENTYLENE GLYCOL
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (low), Enhanced skin absorption, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
BISABOLOL
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate), Enhanced skin absorption
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
CAPRYLYL GLYCOL
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
ISOHEXADECANE
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Use restrictions (low), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Ecotoxicology (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
CHLORPHENESIN
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate), Use restrictions (moderate), Persistence and bioaccumulation (moderate), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
ALUMINUM STEARATE
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (low), Use restrictions (low), Multiple, additive exposure sources (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
DISODIUM EDTA
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Enhanced skin absorption, Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
PPG-12/ SMDI COPOLYMER
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
CETETH-20
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS Use restrictions (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE and 1,4-DIOXANE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
STEARETH-20
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Use restrictions (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE and 1,4-DIOXANE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL DIBENZOATE
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS Endocrine disruption (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
POLYSORBATE-60
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Use restrictions (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE and 1,4-DIOXANE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
PPG-15 STEARYL ETHER BENZOATE
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
BHT
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Cancer (moderate), Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low), Allergies/immunotoxicity (high), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT

Ingredients from label

Active ingredient: Titanium Dioxide 5%, Zinc Oxide 3%, Inactive ingredients: Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Styrene/acrylates Copolymer, Dimethicone, Silica, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Peg-100 Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Alumina, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Peg-75 Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Bisabolol, Caprylyl Glycol, Isohexadecane, Chlorphenesin, Aluminum Stearate, Disodium Edta, PPG-12/smdi Copolymer, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Dipropylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polysorbate 60, Ppg-15 Stearyl Ether Benzoate, BHT.

PETA: Companies That Do Test on Animals

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, a leading international animal rights advocacy organization, has identified companies that "either test on animals or pay a laboratory to conduct tests on animals."

LEARN MORE ON PETA.ORG


Understanding scores

Not all sunscreen products are the same when it comes to sun protection and ingredient health hazards. The scoring system for EWG’s Guide to Sunscreens is designed to help the public find products that are safer, avoid ingredients of concern, and are more effective in reducing potential health harms from ultraviolet A and B exposure.

Every product in the guide gets a hazard and efficacy rating. The top scoring products have both a low hazard rating and an excellent UVA/UVB balance rating.

HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES

Hazard score

The hazard score, from 1 to 10, reflects known and suspected hazards linked to the ingredients. Beyond this 1 to 10 ranking, the EWG VERIFIED® mark on a sunscreen means a product meets EWG’s strictest criteria for transparency and health.

Scoring legend
WEIGHT-OF-EVIDENCE APPROACH

A product’s hazard score is not an average of the ingredients’ hazard scores. It is calculated using a weight-of-evidence approach that factors in all of the hazards or health impacts associated with the ingredients.

EWG Verified Process

EWG Verified logo
EWG VERIFIED

Beyond the hazard score, the EWG VERIFIED® mark on a sunscreen indicates that a sunscreen company’s ingredient disclosures show the product has met our full criteria to ensure it adheres to our strictest standards for efficacy, ingredient safety and transparency.

A SUNSCREEN CAN BECOME EWG VERIFIED IF IT:
  • Meets EWG's criteria for overall product hazard score
  • Is formulated to provide balanced UVA/ UVB protection
  • Does not contain any ingredients on EWG's "Unacceptable" list
  • Discloses all ingredients, including those in fragrance.

You can review EWG’s full criteria for the EWG VERIFIED mark here.


TIPS

Sunscreen alone
is not enough

VIEW THE LIST

Wear clothes

Shirts, hats, shorts and pants shield your skin from the sun’s UV rays, reducing burn risk.

Plan around the sun

Go outdoors in early morning or late afternoon when the sun is lower in the sky.

Find shade - or make it

Picnic under a tree or take a canopy to the beach. Keep infants in the shade, reducing the risk of multiple burns by 30%.


Don’t get burned

Red, sore, blistered skin means you’ve gotten far too much sun.

Sunglasses are essential

Not just a fashion accessory, sunglasses protect your eyes from UV radiation.

Check UV index

The UV Index provides important information to help you plan your outdoor activities in ways that prevent sun overexposure.







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