Brandwave

EltaMD vs Neutrogena:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Neutrogena had more branded searches than EltaMD among face sunscreen brands worldwide. Neutrogena had about 935,000 branded searches, while EltaMD had 60,500. Neutrogena made up 30.9% of all face sunscreen brand searches we track, and EltaMD accounted for 2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about face sunscreen brands, EltaMD appeared in all five answers and Neutrogena in three. EltaMD was mentioned before Neutrogena in every answer.

Among face sunscreen brands worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Neutrogena, about 15 searches for every 1 for EltaMD

Neutrogena 935K searchesEltaMD 60.5K searches

Who does AI mention more?

EltaMD, mentioned in every answer we collected

EltaMD in 5 of 5Neutrogena in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

EltaMD, named ahead of Neutrogena in every answer

EltaMD first in 5Neutrogena never first

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Top face sunscreen brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, EltaMD appeared in all five answers. Neutrogena was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. EltaMD was listed before Neutrogena in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. EltaMD1st
  2. La Roche-Posay2nd
  3. Supergoop!3rd
  4. Neutrogena4th
  5. Sun Bum–
  6. COOLA–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • La Roche-Posay5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • EltaMD5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Neutrogena3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Supergoop!2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Sun Bum0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • COOLA0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about face sunscreen brands

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.

Is EltaMD or Neutrogena more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for EltaMD and Neutrogena by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six face sunscreen brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

EltaMD and Neutrogena among face sunscreen brands worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Neutrogena, EltaMD. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthLa Roche-PosayNeutrogenaSupergoop!Sun BumEltaMDCOOLA
Oct 202559%33.3%3.5%2.1%2%0.18%
Nov 202563.5%28.8%3.9%1.9%1.7%0.16%
Dec 202562.5%30.2%3.6%2.2%1.4%0.16%
Jan 202662%29.9%3.8%2.5%1.7%0.19%
Feb 202663%29.1%3.7%2.2%1.7%0.24%
Mar 202662.6%26.8%5.1%3.1%2.1%0.36%
Apr 202662.1%26.2%6.1%3.1%2.1%0.36%
May 202660.8%25.7%7.2%3.8%2%0.43%
Jun 202658.5%25.9%7.3%5.3%2.4%0.62%
Jul 202660.7%26%6.2%4.5%2%0.53%
Aug 202659.9%31.4%4.3%2.5%1.6%0.28%
Sep 202660.4%30.9%4.1%2.4%2%0.19%

How has the EltaMD and Neutrogena comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Neutrogena was ahead of EltaMD in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, EltaMD’s share of searches among face sunscreen brands worldwide held steady at 2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 60.5K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Neutrogena’s share of searches among face sunscreen brands worldwide moved from 33.3% to 30.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1M to 935K.

How did search popularity change for face sunscreen brands worldwide in September 2026?

1 change

  1. In September 2026, Neutrogena lost share of searches among face sunscreen brands worldwide, from 31.4% to 30.9%.

How are branded searches counted?

6 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using EltaMD’s and Neutrogena’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

EltaMD

2 branded search terms

  • elta md
  • eltamd

Neutrogena

4 branded search terms

  • neutrogena
  • neutrogena facial cleanser
  • neutrogena hydro boost
  • neutrogena suntan lotion

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among face sunscreen brands

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