SPF Scout · Product record

Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Invisible Gel Face Sunscreen SPF 40 Broad Spectrum

SPF 40 as labeled

U.S. formulation · record last retrieved 27 July 2026

What is listed

The ingredient declaration stored for this formulation, reproduced exactly as it was recorded from the source below.

Octisalate, Octocrylene, Avobenzone, Homosalate, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Silica, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyester-7, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Tocopheryl Acetate

14 entries · the stored declaration is recorded as complete.

What each ingredient generally does

Each entry that matched a canonical ingredient, with the function recorded for it. These notes describe the role an ingredient plays in a formulation. They do not assess an ingredient.

  • Octisalate

    Light stabiliser (protects the formula from light)UV absorber (protects the formula from light, not a sunscreen filter)UV filter (filters UV rays)

    An organic UV filter that absorbs ultraviolet light, and doubles as a light stabilizer to keep the formula steady in sun. It also appears on labels as Ethylhexyl Salicylate.

  • Octocrylene

    Light stabiliser (protects the formula from light)UV absorber (protects the formula from light, not a sunscreen filter)UV filter (filters UV rays)

    An organic UV filter that absorbs ultraviolet light. It also serves as a light stabilizer, helping keep other filters and the formula intact under sunlight.

  • Avobenzone

    Light stabiliser (protects the formula from light)UV absorber (protects the formula from light, not a sunscreen filter)UV filter (filters UV rays)

    An organic UV filter that absorbs ultraviolet light. It also acts as a light stabilizer, helping the formula hold up under sun exposure. On labels it also appears as Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane.

  • Homosalate

    Fragrance ingredient (scent)UV absorber (protects the formula from light, not a sunscreen filter)UV filter (filters UV rays)

    An organic UV filter that absorbs ultraviolet light. It also adds scent to the product.

  • Isododecane

    Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Fragrance ingredient (scent)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Solvent (dissolves other ingredients)

    A light fluid that acts as a solvent, keeping other ingredients dissolved and evenly blended. It also softens skin feel and can carry fragrance. It leaves a quick, non-heavy finish as it spreads.

  • Dimethicone

    Antifoaming (stops the formula foaming)Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Skin protecting (CosIng functional class)

    A silicone that softens and smooths skin feel and forms a protective layer on the surface. It also cuts down foam during production, keeping the formula settled.

  • Hydrogenated Castor Oil

    Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    A thick oil-based ingredient that softens and smooths skin feel while helping oil and water mix. It also cleanses and adjusts how thick the product is, so it can carry cleansing and texture roles at once.

  • Coco-Caprylate/Caprate

    Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)

    Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is an emollient that softens and smooths skin feel and conditions the skin. It gives the product a light, easy-spreading feel.

  • Silica

    Abrasive (physically scrubs)Absorbent (takes up oil or water)Anticaking (keeps powder free-flowing)Bulking agent (adds volume)Opacifier (makes the formula less see-through)otherViscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    Silica is a fine mineral powder that soaks up excess moisture and oil, and adjusts how thick the product feels. It keeps powders from clumping, adds bulk, and can make a formula look more opaque. Its chemical name is silicon dioxide.

  • Dimethicone Crosspolymer

    Emulsion stabiliser (keeps oil and water mixed)Hair fixing (holds hair in place)otherViscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    A silicone-based ingredient that keeps the oil and water parts from separating and adjusts how thick the product is. It also helps hold styling or film in place.

  • Polyester-7

    Film forming (leaves a thin coating)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    This is a polymer that forms a film, conditions the skin, and adjusts thickness. It leaves a thin layer on the surface, smooths the skin feel, and gives the product body.

  • Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate

    Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)

    An emollient that softens and smooths skin feel. In practice, it helps the product spread easily and leaves a smooth finish.

  • Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene

    Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)

    Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene is a skin-conditioning ingredient. It helps keep skin feeling soft and smooth.

  • Tocopheryl Acetate

    Antioxidant (slows the formula oxidising)otherSkin conditioning (CosIng functional class)

    Tocopheryl Acetate is a form of vitamin E that acts as an antioxidant, helping keep the formula from going off. It also conditions the skin, softening its feel.

Checking this against your own list

SPF Scout's Personal Ingredient Check runs in the app, on your device. This page cannot see a personal avoidance list. Your selections are stored on your phone and are never sent to this website — there is nowhere on our side for them to go.

In the app you choose the ingredients you already avoid, and every entry in this declaration that matches one of them is shown to you with the alias path that produced the match.

This comparison does not predict whether your skin will react.

Source quality

Source
DailyMed drug label
Source record
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=3b9a4bd9-cbe1-60c5-e063-6394a90a5892
Retrieved
27 July 2026
Market
United States
Formulation date
Not recorded
Version
v2 of this U.S. formulation
Verification confidence
High
Entries recorded
14
Record checksum
sha256:c236690154aac2223c8b5c796ad2dbc855c5bb51f64a0a9c5a9713903e1c0fde

Earlier readings of this document

We have read this product's source document twice, and kept each reading. The earlier reading is ours: a change in how we read the document, not a change the manufacturer made to the formula.

Always compare this record with your current package.

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