If you read this blog often enough, you’ll know that I am a sunscreen fanatic. So imagine my excitement when I stumbled upon Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 85 ($10.44, Drugstore.com). New for the summer, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 85 combines the powerful UVA protection of the HelioplexTM complex (avobenzone and oxybenzone) plus an almost-unheard of UVB, 85!
What makes SPF 85 so great?
According to Dr. Leslie Baumann, author of Cosmetic Dermatology, the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) commonly listed on products refers to the amount of UVB protection, measured by the time it takes for a person without sunscreen versus a person with sunscreen to show a erythemal skin reaction (i.e., to show redness).
The amount of UVB an SPF is effective at blocking may be estimated using the following algorithm from Dr. Rachel Herschenfeld: SPF 30 allows 1/30 UVB rays, or 3.3% through, meaning it blocks about 96.6% of UVB rays; SPF 50 allows 1/50 UVB rays, or 2.0% through, meaning it blocks 98.0% of UVB rays. An SPF of 80 means that only 1/80, or 1.25% of rays get through, meaning that Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 85 is blocking 98.75% of the sun’s rays. Pretty impressive!
And if you mathematicians out there noticed that there is a bigger increase when you move from SPF 30 to SPF 50 than from SPF 50 to SPF 80, you are correct. The higher the numbers go, the smaller the amount of protection inferred with each increase. Still, I would rather get 98.75% of the rays blocked with Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 85 than 98.0% with an SPF 50! 
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Great post! Have you used this version? Any thoughts? I just picked up the SPF 70 version a few weeks ago, and while it satisfies my crazy SPF obsession, I’m not crazy about the texture or the white streaks it leaves on my face. I also wish it were fragrance-free — the smell really bugs me. Is the SPF 85 version any better? It hasn’t shown up in stores near me yet, but fingers are crossed!
Hey Annie,
Thanks for the comment!
The SPF 85 version is pretty similar to the SPF 70; in fact, if anything, I’d say it’s a little thicker. I’ve been using the SPF 70 everyday in March-September for the past three years, so I’m used the texture and the smell, but you’re right, it would be even better with a lighter texture and no scent.
Take care – hope you’re doing well!
Hi there Nikki!
I am going to Hawaii in the end of June until early July. I was thinking about using this, but what do you recommend on your body? I want to apply it religiously, actually, starting now since I have no body SPF but only mild face SPF! Help!!
Being a sunscreen junkie myself, I was super excited to try this. Sadly, the scent and thick texture turned me off. I look at it this way– I would rather tolerate that than any of the repercussions I would suffer otherwise. I will continue to use this until I find another alternative. Thank you for the info on percentages. Now I can explain it to my husband a lot better!
I hope I can find this sunblock or a similar one in stores. My sunscreen has SPF20 but I’m looking for an oil-free SPF30+ that won’t break the bank.
I tried this. I am disappointd. I have oily skin and it makes it worse. I wear makeup to work, and I feel as though I have such a thick layer on my face.
Also-I was thinking on the ride home after work yesterday as I was shielding my face from the 5PM sun-is my sucscreen still working? How long does it last? Do I need to wash my face and apply more SPF before going home? This would be a bother, considering the bottle says to wait 1/2 hour before going outside. What do you do?
I was so excited when I saw this in the store! I’m obsessed with sunblock, too. Hooray!
I have a question maybe you can get answered for me…My friend says she is using Neutrogena SPF 85. What concerns me is she says she is getting a tan even using this product…is this possible being outside 3 hours a day if applied correctly, should she be getting a tan?
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Please read more about oxybenzone at http://www.ewg.org/node/26217