Neutrogena Ultra Sheer sunblock

I bought a tube of Neutrogena ultra sheer dry-touch sunblock SPF 70 with helioplex, about a month ago for a tropical vacation. Everything about it appeared excellent.

It is dermatologist recommended
It contains a broad spectrum uva and uvb protection
The protection is one of the highest available, at spf70
It is lightweight (I've got oily sensitive skin)
It is waterproof (I intend to swim. A lot.)
It is non-comedogenic (I have acne prone skin)

One thing that bothered me was the warning: Discontinue use if irritation or rash appear. Uh oh. Did I mention that I have sensitive skin and most sunblocks either give me pimples or painful rashes. My facial skin would sting like I've got a sunburn even if I stay out of the sun when I get one of those allergic reactions.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunblock, SPF 85
Neutrogena

So how did it work for me? I tend to get pimples whenever I apply any sunscreen. Sunscreen makes my face sting most of the time. Maybe I'm allergic to PABA, the most common sunscreen ingredient around, which happens to cause allergies in many people? This one is PABA free, but the warning was still on the label.

I applied it on my entire face and body every day.

As a sunblock, it is excellent. I put it on, went out in the hot sun and did not get burnt. Hey, I did not even turn as brown as I normally would. For protection against burns, this is as good as it gets.

It smells like the sand and sea and sunscreen. You know, the usual sunblock smell. It goes on light although it is a cream and it doesn't feel oily. It is whitish though and has to be rubbed in well to get rid of those white streaks. I liked it.

But, I started to get some pimples. And the skin around my eyes got irritated.

To be fair, I get pimples all the time. I also discovered an old jar of eye cream which I loved and used it around the same time I tried ultra sheer sunblock. The irritation could be due to an expired eye cream as much as due to the sunblock.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunblock, SPF 85
Neutrogena

Neutrogena Sunblock, Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 70
Neutrogena

Neutrogena Sunblock, Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 55
Neutrogena

Neutrogena Sunblock, Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 30
Neutrogena

Neutrogena Sunblock, Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF45
Neutrogena

As for the pimples, I've been testing several moisturizers. And most moisturizers tend to be too rich for my skin, so the pimples could have been due to the moisturizers. But when I stopped using everything, the appearance of new pimples lessened.

Okay, for a proper review, one has to test only one item at a time to be fair. I think I'll stop using everything soon, and just use this sunscreen. For now, I put it on liberally everywhere but my face. For my face, I use it sparingly.

As for the pimples, I'll start taking pueraria mirifica supplements again. After 3 months on those supplements, skin clears and pimples don't pop up anymore. But breast size will increase with prolonged use of that herb. I was an 80A before I tried them. Now I'm 80D (bought new bras the other day cos my old ones 80C last count hurt for months. Now I know why). Still for women, where acne control where usual acne medications don't seem to work, this herb is the most effective remedy I know of.