Neutrogena
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
Flagged Ingredients Found
Who Owns Neutrogena?
Big Corp SubsidiaryParent Company
Kenvue(KVUE)
Parent Industry
Consumer Health
Parent Revenue
Approximately $15.4 billion (2024)
Also Makes
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.
Products by Neutrogena
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
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Organic Lip Balm
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 70
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Organic Lip Balm
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair
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Organic Lip Balm
Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture SPF 35
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Organic Lip Balm
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream SPF 15
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Organic Lip Balm
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Flagged Ingredients in Neutrogena Products
We found 14 different ingredients of concern across Neutrogena's product line. Each one links to a full safety analysis with details on health risks, regulatory status, and which other brands use the same ingredient.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
