Neutrogena vs Aveeno: Sunscreens, Acne and Eczema Products by Label

Quick Answer: Neutrogena and Aveeno are both Kenvue brands. By label: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 30 uses avobenzone 2.5%, homosalate 6%, octisalate 4.5% and octocrylene 8%; Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Body SPF 30 uses the same four filters at lower percentages (1.5%, 5%, 4%, 6%); both are labeled water resistant for 80 minutes. For mineral sunscreens, Neutrogena’s Mineral Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 30 lists titanium dioxide 6.6% and zinc oxide 18%; Aveeno Calm + Restore SPF 30 lists 5.8% and 12.5%. Neutrogena sells a 2% salicylic acid acne wash and an adapalene 0.1% gel; Aveeno’s Clear Complexion cleanser has 0.5% salicylic acid, and its Eczema Therapy cream uses 1% colloidal oatmeal. Unpaid; no winner.

Neutrogena vs Aveeno at a Glance

Category	Neutrogena (label)	Aveeno (label)
Chemical sunscreen SPF 30	Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch: avobenzone 2.5%, homosalate 6%, octisalate 4.5%, octocrylene 8%	Protect + Hydrate Body: avobenzone 1.5%, homosalate 5%, octisalate 4%, octocrylene 6%
Water resistance	80 minutes	80 minutes
Mineral sunscreen SPF 30	Mineral Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch: TiO₂ 6.6%, ZnO 18%	Calm + Restore Daily Moisturizer: TiO₂ 5.8%, ZnO 12.5%
Salicylic acid cleanser	Oil-Free Acne Wash: 2%	Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser: 0.5%
Retinoid	Evenly Clear Adapalene Gel 0.1%	No adapalene product found on DailyMed
Eczema skin protectant	No colloidal oatmeal Drug Facts product found	Eczema Therapy Daily Moisturizing Cream: colloidal oatmeal 1%
Owner	Kenvue	Kenvue

Doses above are from the current U.S. Drug Facts or prescribing labels listed in Sources. Always follow the label on the package you buy, because store brands and formulations differ.

How We Compared

Sunscreens, acne treatments and eczema skin protectants are regulated in the US as OTC drugs, so their active ingredients and strengths must appear on a Drug Facts label that is published on the National Library of Medicine’s DailyMed database. We picked representative products from each brand in the same category and compared those labels. Moisturizers, serums and cleansers without drug claims are cosmetics and do not have Drug Facts labels, so they are not compared here. Product lines change, so always check the label on the package you buy. FormulaCompare was not paid by either brand, and this page does not name a winner.

Chemical Sunscreens

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Broad Spectrum SPF 30 and Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Body Broad Spectrum SPF 30 use the same four organic UV filters: avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate and octocrylene. The Neutrogena label lists higher percentages of each (2.5%, 6%, 4.5% and 8%) than the Aveeno label (1.5%, 5%, 4% and 6%). Both are labeled SPF 30, which is a tested result of the full formula, so higher ingredient percentages do not automatically mean higher protection. Both labels direct users to apply 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply after 80 minutes of swimming or sweating, immediately after towel drying, and at least every 2 hours. Both carry the standard uses: helps prevent sunburn and, used with other sun protection measures, decreases the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging caused by the sun.

Mineral Sunscreens

For people who prefer mineral (physical) filters, Neutrogena Mineral Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 30 lists titanium dioxide 6.6% and zinc oxide 18%. Aveeno Calm + Restore Daily Moisturizer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 lists titanium dioxide 5.8% and zinc oxide 12.5%. The Aveeno product is a facial daily moisturizer; its label says to reapply at least every 2 hours and to use a water-resistant sunscreen if swimming or sweating. For more on mineral filters, see zinc oxide vs titanium dioxide and chemical vs mineral sunscreen.

Acne Products

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash lists salicylic acid 2%. Aveeno Positively Radiant Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser lists salicylic acid 0.5%. Both labels warn that irritation and dryness are more likely when using another topical acne medication at the same time. Neutrogena also sells Evenly Clear Retinoid Adapalene Gel 0.1%, which contains the same active ingredient and strength as Differin gel and carries the same type of once-daily, whole-area directions. We did not find an Aveeno adapalene product on DailyMed. See Differin vs retinol and salicylic acid vs benzoyl peroxide.

Eczema and Itch

Aveeno Eczema Therapy Daily Moisturizing Cream lists colloidal oatmeal 1% as a skin protectant that temporarily protects and helps relieve minor skin irritation and itching due to rashes and eczema. Its inactive ingredients include ceramide NP, glycerin and petrolatum. The label says to stop and ask a doctor if the condition worsens or symptoms last more than 7 days or clear up and return within a few days. We did not find a Neutrogena colloidal oatmeal Drug Facts product on DailyMed. Aveeno also sells a 1% hydrocortisone anti-itch cream; see hydrocortisone vs cortisone.

Choosing for Your Skin

Sun protection: pick broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher, water resistant if you will swim or sweat, in a texture you will reapply.
Sensitive skin: mineral filters are often better tolerated; patch-test new products.
Acne: compare active ingredient and strength rather than brand.
Eczema: fragrance-free moisturizers and colloidal oatmeal skin protectants are options; see a clinician for flares.

Putting It Together: Common Situations

The scenarios below summarize what the labels and guidelines cited on this page say. They are general information, not a personal treatment plan. Your pharmacist can check the choice against your other medicines, and your clinician can tailor it to your health history.

Beach or sports day: both SPF 30 chemical sunscreens compared are labeled water resistant for 80 minutes.
Prefer mineral filters: both brands have SPF 30 products with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
Itchy eczema-prone skin: Aveeno Eczema Therapy is labeled with 1% colloidal oatmeal.

How to Read the Label Before You Buy

Find the active ingredient first. Brand names are often reused across products with different ingredients. The active ingredient and its strength appear at the top of the Drug Facts or Supplement Facts panel.
Check the “Uses” or labeled indication. A product is tested and labeled for specific uses. Using it for something else may not help.
Read the “Do not use” and “Ask a doctor before use” sections. They list conditions and medicines where the product may be unsafe.
Follow the directions for dose and duration. Note the maximum daily amount and how many days you can use it before checking with a clinician.
Check for duplicate ingredients. Combination products can contain the same ingredient as something else you take, which raises the risk of taking too much.
Note the “Stop use and ask a doctor” signs. These are the label’s own warning signs that a product is not working or is causing harm.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using too little sunscreen or skipping reapplication every 2 hours.
Stacking several acne actives at once, which both acne labels warn increases irritation.
Assuming two products with similar names are interchangeable. Compare the active ingredients and strengths instead of the packaging.
Forgetting to tell your clinician. Keep a current list of every prescription, OTC medicine and supplement you take, and bring it to appointments and the pharmacy.

FormulaCompare does not recommend one brand over another. Use the sources below to check the details for the exact product in front of you, since formulas and labels can change.

Reading a Sunscreen Drug Facts Label

Every product compared here lists its active ingredients with percentages, a Uses section, warnings and directions. For sunscreens, look for “Broad Spectrum” (protection against UVA and UVB), the SPF number, and a water-resistance claim of 40 or 80 minutes if you will swim or sweat. The FDA sunscreen guidance recommends broad spectrum SPF 15 or higher used with other sun protection measures such as shade, clothing and hats. Both brands’ labels include the same “Sun Protection Measures” statement.

Why Two Sister Brands Look Similar

Because both brands are owned by the same company, it is not surprising that their chemical sunscreens use the same four filters. Differences show up in percentages, textures, added moisturizing ingredients and product range. Choose the formula you will actually wear every day and reapply as directed.

When to Talk to Your Doctor or Pharmacist

See a dermatologist for a rash that spreads or blisters after using a new product, eczema that is infected (oozing, crusting, pain) or does not improve in 7 days, moles that change, or acne that scars or does not improve after 12 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Neutrogena and Aveeno the same company?

Yes. Both are Kenvue brands, as shown on their DailyMed labels.

Do Neutrogena and Aveeno sunscreens use the same ingredients?

The SPF 30 products compared here use the same four chemical filters; the Neutrogena label lists higher percentages of each.

Which has a mineral sunscreen?

Both. The Neutrogena and Aveeno SPF 30 mineral products compared list titanium dioxide and zinc oxide at different percentages.

Is Neutrogena adapalene the same as Differin?

Both labels list adapalene 0.1% as the active ingredient.

Is Aveeno good for eczema?

Aveeno Eczema Therapy cream is labeled with 1% colloidal oatmeal to relieve minor irritation and itching due to eczema. See a clinician for persistent flares.

Which brand is better?

We do not name a winner. Compare active ingredients, strengths and textures for your needs.

Sources

Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and does not replace medical advice. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any supplement, medication, or treatment — particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking other medications, or have a diagnosed medical condition.