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Home/Brand Safety/Neutrogena
Brand safety report

Neutrogena.

Ingredient safety analysis based on 5 products in our database.

Safety Score

3.2/10

Products

5

Flagged Ingredients

14

The report

Full breakdown.

Neutrogena

Los Angeles, CaliforniaFounded 1930
Safety Score3.2/10Poor

Neutrogena was founded in 1930 by Emanuel Stolaroff as a cosmetics company called Natone, later rebranding to Neutrogena. The brand was acquired by Johnson & Johnson in 1994 and is now part of Kenvue, J&J's consumer health spinoff that went public in 2023. Neutrogena is the number-one dermatologist-recommended skincare brand in the United States and produces widely used sunscreens, moisturizers, and acne treatments. Many Neutrogena sunscreens contain chemical UV filters like oxybenzone, avobenzone, homosalate, and octocrylene, which FDA-funded studies have shown are absorbed into the bloodstream at levels exceeding safety thresholds. The brand's dermatologist endorsement creates strong consumer trust despite ongoing debates about chemical sunscreen safety.

Products Analyzed

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel5/10
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 703/10
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair4/10
Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture SPF 351/10
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream SPF 153/10

Flagged Ingredients Found

dimethicone(in 4 products)synthetic fragrance(in 4 products)polyethylene glycol(in 4 products)edta(in 4 products)phenoxyethanol(in 3 products)avobenzone(in 3 products)octisalate(in 3 products)bht(in 3 products)homosalate(in 2 products)oxybenzone(in 2 products)parabens(in 2 products)artificial colorsceteareth 20methylisothiazolinone
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Who Owns Neutrogena?

Big Corp Subsidiary

Parent Company

Kenvue(KVUE)

Parent Industry

Consumer Health

Parent Revenue

Approximately $15.4 billion (2024)

Also Makes

AveenoBand-AidTylenolListerineJohnson's Baby

Kenvue was spun off from Johnson & Johnson in 2023 as an independent consumer health company. Neutrogena was originally acquired by J&J in 1994.

Corporate ownership does not automatically mean a product is unsafe. It means ingredient and sourcing decisions are influenced by a parent company whose primary business is consumer health. Consumers deserve to know who profits from their purchases.

The line

Products by Neutrogena.

View full ingredient analysis →
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel

Neutrogena

Ingredients20
Flagged4
Safety Score5/10
dimethiconephenoxyethanolsynthetic fragrance
Numbrrrz Organic Lip Balm

Numbrrrz

Organic Lip Balm

Ingredients4
Flagged0
Safety Score10/10
Organic Coconut OilOrganic BeeswaxOrganic Jojoba OilVitamin E
Shop Numbrrrz Instead
View full ingredient analysis →
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 70

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 70

Neutrogena

Ingredients19
Flagged8
Safety Score3/10
homosalateavobenzoneoctisalate
Numbrrrz Organic Lip Balm

Numbrrrz

Organic Lip Balm

Ingredients4
Flagged0
Safety Score10/10
Organic Coconut OilOrganic BeeswaxOrganic Jojoba OilVitamin E
Shop Numbrrrz Instead
View full ingredient analysis →
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair

Neutrogena

Ingredients18
Flagged7
Safety Score4/10
dimethiconeceteareth 20phenoxyethanol
Numbrrrz Organic Lip Balm

Numbrrrz

Organic Lip Balm

Ingredients4
Flagged0
Safety Score10/10
Organic Coconut OilOrganic BeeswaxOrganic Jojoba OilVitamin E
Shop Numbrrrz Instead
View full ingredient analysis →
Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture SPF 35

Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture SPF 35

Neutrogena

Ingredients17
Flagged10
Safety Score1/10
oxybenzonehomosalateavobenzone
Numbrrrz Organic Lip Balm

Numbrrrz

Organic Lip Balm

Ingredients4
Flagged0
Safety Score10/10
Organic Coconut OilOrganic BeeswaxOrganic Jojoba OilVitamin E
Shop Numbrrrz Instead
View full ingredient analysis →
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream SPF 15

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream SPF 15

Neutrogena

Ingredients18
Flagged8
Safety Score3/10
oxybenzoneavobenzoneoctisalate
Numbrrrz Organic Lip Balm

Numbrrrz

Organic Lip Balm

Ingredients4
Flagged0
Safety Score10/10
Organic Coconut OilOrganic BeeswaxOrganic Jojoba OilVitamin E
Shop Numbrrrz Instead

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Flagged

Ingredients of concern.

14 different ingredients of concern across Neutrogena’s product line. Each links to a full safety analysis.

8

Oxybenzone

A chemical UV filter found in many sunscreens and SPF-containing cosmetics. It absorbs UVA and UVB radiation but is a known endocrine disruptor, coral reef toxin, and one of the most frequently detected chemicals in human blood and urine.

In 2 of 5 Neutrogena products
Hormone Disruptor
8

Parabens

A class of synthetic preservatives used to prevent microbial growth in cosmetics and personal care products. Parabens can mimic estrogen in the body, raising concerns about endocrine disruption and links to breast cancer.

In 2 of 5 Neutrogena products
Carcinogen LinkedHormone Disruptor
8

Methylisothiazolinone

A powerful synthetic biocide and preservative. Once common in leave-on cosmetics, it has been increasingly restricted worldwide due to an epidemic of allergic contact dermatitis. The EU banned it from leave-on products in 2016.

In 1 of 5 Neutrogena products
Banned in EU
7

Synthetic Fragrance

An umbrella term that can hide hundreds of undisclosed chemicals. Under US law, companies are not required to list individual fragrance components, which may include phthalates, musks, allergens, and sensitizers.

In 4 of 5 Neutrogena products
Hormone Disruptor
6

Artificial Colors

Synthetic dyes derived from petroleum or coal tar, used to give cosmetics vivid colors. Many are contaminated with heavy metals and have been linked to behavioral issues, allergies, and potential carcinogenicity.

In 1 of 5 Neutrogena products
6

Homosalate

A chemical UV filter that absorbs UVB radiation. Used in sunscreens and SPF cosmetics, homosalate is an endocrine disruptor that breaks down into more toxic byproducts under UV exposure.

In 2 of 5 Neutrogena products
Hormone Disruptor
6

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG Compounds)

A family of petroleum-derived compounds used as emulsifiers, thickeners, solvents, and penetration enhancers. PEGs themselves are relatively low-toxicity, but they are frequently contaminated with ethylene oxide (a known carcinogen) and 1,4-dioxane.

In 4 of 5 Neutrogena products
5

Avobenzone

One of the few chemical UV filters that provides good UVA protection. However, it is photounstable, breaking down rapidly under UV light and losing effectiveness within 30 minutes unless stabilized by other chemicals.

In 3 of 5 Neutrogena products
5

Octisalate

A chemical UV filter that absorbs UVB radiation and is commonly used as a secondary sunscreen agent to boost SPF values. Octisalate also acts as a solvent for other UV filters like avobenzone.

In 3 of 5 Neutrogena products
Hormone Disruptor
5

BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)

A synthetic antioxidant closely related to BHA, used to prevent oxidation in cosmetics and food. Less studied than BHA but shares some endocrine disruption concerns.

In 3 of 5 Neutrogena products
Hormone Disruptor
5

Ceteareth-20

An ethoxylated fatty alcohol used as an emulsifier and surfactant in creams, lotions, and other cosmetic formulations. Like all ethoxylated compounds, ceteareth-20 may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane (a probable carcinogen) and ethylene oxide (a known carcinogen) from the manufacturing process.

In 1 of 5 Neutrogena products
4

Dimethicone

A silicone-based polymer widely used in cosmetics and skincare for its smoothing, water-repellent properties. Not toxic in itself, but creates a synthetic barrier that can trap impurities, clog pores, and is not biodegradable.

In 4 of 5 Neutrogena products
4

Phenoxyethanol

A glycol ether used as a preservative in cosmetics, often marketed as a 'safer' alternative to parabens. At regulated concentrations (up to 1%), it is generally well tolerated, but higher concentrations can cause irritation and are toxic to infants.

In 3 of 5 Neutrogena products
4

EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid)

A chelating agent used in cosmetics to bind metal ions that would otherwise degrade the product or reduce preservative effectiveness. EDTA itself has low direct toxicity, but it is extremely persistent in the environment and can mobilize heavy metals in water systems.

In 4 of 5 Neutrogena products
Questions

Quick answers.

Who owns Neutrogena?
Neutrogena is owned by Kenvue, the consumer health company that was spun off from Johnson & Johnson in 2023. Kenvue is publicly traded and also owns other well-known brands including Aveeno, Band-Aid, Tylenol, and Listerine. Neutrogena continues to be the company's flagship dermatological skincare brand.
Does Neutrogena sunscreen contain oxybenzone?
Some Neutrogena sunscreen products contain oxybenzone, though the brand has been gradually reformulating products to remove this ingredient in response to consumer concerns and regulations like Hawaii's oxybenzone ban. However, many Neutrogena sunscreens still contain other chemical UV filters like avobenzone, homosalate, and octocrylene, which also show systemic absorption.
Is Neutrogena dermatologist-recommended?
Neutrogena is the most recommended skincare brand by dermatologists in the United States. However, dermatologist recommendations are often influenced by brand marketing relationships, conference sponsorships, and product sampling programs. A dermatologist recommendation speaks to a product's efficacy for its stated purpose but does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of every ingredient in the formula.
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