Neova Everyday Facial Fluid Broad Spectrum SPF 44 2.5 Oz

A daily facial sunscreen with two DNA repair enzymes in it. Neova's own summary: "Defends against broad spectrum UVA/UVB rays. Restricts the appearance of sun-inflicted DNA damage. Provides hyper antioxidant defense. Delivers oil-free hydration."

What is actually in it, and what kind of sunscreen it is

This is a hybrid sunscreen, not a mineral one. Two of its three filters are chemical and one is mineral. The active ingredients below appear in these words on the FDA Drug Facts label for this product and on Neova's own page:

If you came here for a mineral-only sunscreen, this is not one. There is no titanium dioxide in it.

The two DNA repair enzymes

Neova names two for this product and describes each one itself.

• Photosomes (Plankton Extract). Neova: the liposome-encapsulated DNA repair enzyme Photolyase, unique in its ability to reduce the visible signs of UV-induced insults.
• Endosomes (Micrococcus Lysate). Neova: the liposome-encapsulated DNA repair enzyme UV-endonuclease, which helps improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin.

Two, not three. Neova's third enzyme comes from Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract, which is in DNA Total Repair and not in this bottle.

Antioxidants, and the humectant

L-ergothioneine, an antioxidant in Neova's words. Ascorbyl Palmitate, a stable form of vitamin C. Tocopheryl Acetate, vitamin E. And Sodium Hyaluronate, the reason Neova calls a sunscreen moisturizing.

Everyday specifications

Actives, water resistance and directions are read from the Drug Facts label below. Texture, skin types and ingredient descriptions are Neova's wording.

The tinted alternative

This one is untinted. If you want the tint, Silc Sheer 2.0 is the tinted sunscreen in the same range. Both sit in our DNA repair sunscreens.

How to Use

• Apply liberally 15 minutes before sun exposure. Liberally is the label's word.


• Every morning, to face, neck and back of hands. The hands are what most people skip.


• Reapply at least every 2 hours.


• Swimming or sweating? Use a different sunscreen. The Drug Facts tell you to use a water resistant one for that. This is not labelled as one.


• Under makeup. Neova says to let it absorb fully first.


• Children under 6 months of age: ask a doctor. From the label.

Drug Facts

Active ingredients: Octinoxate 6.5%, Octisalate 2.5%, Zinc Oxide 8.5%. Purpose: Sunscreen.

Uses: helps prevent sunburn. If used as directed and with other sun protection measures, decreases the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging caused by the sun.

Warnings: For external use only. Do not use on damaged or broken skin. When using this product keep out of eyes. Rinse with water to remove. Stop use and ask a doctor if rash occurs. Keep out of reach of children. If product is swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.

Neova Everyday Facial Fluid FAQ

Is it a mineral sunscreen? No. It is a hybrid: zinc oxide at 8.5%, plus two chemical filters, octinoxate at 6.5% and octisalate at 2.5%. Descriptions calling it mineral, or crediting it with titanium dioxide, do not match the label.

Is it water resistant? No, and this is the one to get right before a beach day. The Drug Facts tell you to use a water resistant sunscreen if you are swimming or sweating. Neova's own page names 80 minutes, which its label does not support. Go by the label.

How many DNA repair enzymes does it have? Two, Photosomes from plankton and Endosomes from micrococcus lysate. DNA Total Repair carries a third, from Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract.

Does it sting the eyes? Neova publishes no answer, and the label says to keep it out of the eyes and rinse with water to remove. Three reviewers here raise it unprompted and all say it does not irritate theirs, one adding that it is why she buys it. That is buyer experience, not a property of the formula.

What finish does it leave? There is no honest single answer. Neova calls it moisturizing and never uses the word matte, and at another stockist three buyers split three ways, one calling it matte, one reporting shine, one saying neither. On white cast, two reviewers here report none and a third says it goes on white and fades when rubbed in.

There is retinyl palmitate in it. Why? It is on the inactive list and Neova does not discuss it anywhere. It is named here so you can decide.

Why does it cost what it costs? The enzymes are the expensive part of a 2.5 oz bottle. Buyers here raise it more than anything else, and most answer it by reordering.

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS

Octinoxate 6.5%, Octisalate 2.5%, Zinc Oxide 8.5%.

KEY INACTIVE INGREDIENTS

Descriptions below are Neova's own.

• Plankton Extract, which Neova calls Photosomes. The liposome-encapsulated DNA repair enzyme Photolyase, derived from plankton.


• Micrococcus Lysate, which Neova calls Endosomes. The liposome-encapsulated DNA repair enzyme UV-endonuclease.


• Ergothioneine. An antioxidant that fights oxidative damage caused by free radical activity.


• Sodium Hyaluronate. A salt form of hyaluronic acid, a humectant that Neova says holds up to 1,000 times its own weight in moisture.


• Ascorbyl Palmitate and Tocopheryl Acetate. Vitamin C and vitamin E, in stable forms.

FULL INACTIVE INGREDIENTS

Allantoin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Citric Acid, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Ergothioneine, Ethyl Hexyl Isononanoate, Glycereth-26, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Lecithin, Micrococcus Lysate, Octyl Stearate, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Panthenol, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Phenoxyethanol, Plankton Extract, Polyether-1, Polyisobutene, Purified Water, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane.

Twenty nine items in all. The list is alphabetical, which is the convention on a drug label, so where an ingredient sits on it says nothing about how much is in the bottle. Only the active ingredients above carry a stated quantity.