Sunscreen Ranker Independent ranker
Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen Spray - SPF 30 - 8.5oz
Neutrogena

Beach Defense Sunscreen Spray - SPF 30 - 8.5oz

SPF 30
Our score 73.0 / 100

Ethanol and fragrance raise tolerance concerns; amounts are unknown. Esters and film formers support light wear; actual feel is unverified, and the health baseline assumes intended use.

Invisible No white cast — chemical/hybrid filters that straight-up disappear on skin. United States
03 The facts, at a glance
Protection
Filter type Mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) sit on skin and reflect UV. Chemical filters absorb UV. Hybrid runs both.
Chemical
Broad spectrum Covers both UVA and UVB. UVA drives aging and deeper damage; UVB gives you burns.
Yes
Formulation & feel
Texture How it feels going on — milk, gel, cream, spray, stick, essence, lotion, powder, or cushion.
Spray
Finish How it looks once dry: matte, natural, dewy, or glowy.
Natural
Tinted Adds sheer pigment (iron oxides) that masks the white cast common to mineral filters and gives a skin-tone finish.
No
fragrance-free No synthetic perfume added. Not FDA-defined in the US; the EU requires 'Parfum' + the 26 named allergens on the label. 'Unscented' is different — it can hide masking fragrance. Botanical oils still scent.
No
Alcohol-free No drying short-chain alcohols (alcohol denat., SD alcohol, ethanol). Doesn't mean fatty alcohols like cetyl or stearyl — those are emollients.
No
Where to buy it
Target US In stock
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73.0
Composite score · independent
Ranks #1700 of 1759 in the current catalogue. Ethanol and fragrance raise tolerance concerns; amounts are unknown. Esters and film formers support light wear; actual feel is unverified, and the health baseline assumes intended use.
Composite is a weighted blend: UV 25% · Modernity 10% · Sensitivity 15% · Environment 10% · Elegance 15% · Health 25%. That's the recipe.
The score breakdown
UV protection How hard it blocks UVA + UVB across the spectrum at the stated SPF/PA. 60
Filter modernity Dings legacy filters (octinoxate, oxybenzone); rewards photostable next-gen ones. 50
Sensitivity safety Risk for reactive skin — fragrance, alcohol, and known sensitisers. 60
Reef / env. safety Reef toxicity plus how biodegradable the UV filters and surfactants are. 85
Cosmetic elegance Spread, finish, white-cast, and how it actually feels on skin. 87
Health safety Endocrine concerns and systemic absorption signals across the whole formula. 90
02 Composition · key UV filters 4 filters resolved
UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered
Avobenzone Legacy Older organic filter. Photostable in combination; some literature concerns.
Homosalate Legacy Older organic filter. Photostable in combination; some literature concerns.
Octisalate Legacy Older organic filter. Photostable in combination; some literature concerns.
Octocrylene Legacy Older organic filter. Photostable in combination; some literature concerns.
04 Full ingredient list (INCI) 12 ingredients
MODERN FILTER 0 LEGACY FILTER 4 MINERAL FILTER 0 ADDED FRAGRANCE 1 NATURAL FRAGRANCE 0 ALCOHOL 1 WATCH 0
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane Avobenzone — UVA filter, needs stabilisation. · Homosalate Homosalate — legacy UVB filter; endocrine literature. · Ethylhexyl Salicylate Octisalate — older filter; well-tolerated. · Octocrylene Octocrylene — degrades to benzophenone over time. · Alcohol Denat. Drying short-chain alcohol — can compromise the skin barrier and disturb the film if used in high amounts. ·Isobutane·Dicaprylyl Carbonate·Polyester-7·Acrylates/Octylacrylamide Copolymer·Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate· Fragrance Synthetic fragrance blend — a common irritant. Composition is a trade secret; can include dozens of compounds. Avoid if your skin is reactive. ·Tocopheryl Acetate
Source: brand-published INCI. Last verified 2026. Show in detail
01 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane LEGACY FILTER Avobenzone — UVA filter, needs stabilisation.
02 Homosalate LEGACY FILTER Homosalate — legacy UVB filter; endocrine literature.
03 Ethylhexyl Salicylate LEGACY FILTER Octisalate — older filter; well-tolerated.
04 Octocrylene LEGACY FILTER Octocrylene — degrades to benzophenone over time.
05 Alcohol Denat. ALCOHOL Drying short-chain alcohol — can compromise the skin barrier and disturb the film if used in high amounts.
06 Isobutane Isobutane
07 Dicaprylyl Carbonate Dicaprylyl Carbonate
08 Polyester-7
09 Acrylates/Octylacrylamide Copolymer Acrylates/Octylacrylamide Copolymer
10 Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
11 Fragrance ADDED FRAGRANCE Synthetic fragrance blend — a common irritant. Composition is a trade secret; can include dozens of compounds. Avoid if your skin is reactive.
12 Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E Acetate