Brandwave

EltaMD vs Neutrogena:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Neutrogena had more branded searches than EltaMD among sun cream brands worldwide. Neutrogena had about 112,000 branded searches, while EltaMD had 60,500. Neutrogena made up 2.8% of all sun cream brand searches we track, and EltaMD accounted for 1.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about sun cream brands, EltaMD appeared in four of the five answers and Neutrogena in three. EltaMD was mentioned before Neutrogena in three out of four answers.

Among sun cream brands worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Neutrogena, about 86% more searches than EltaMD

Neutrogena 112K searchesEltaMD 60.5K searches

Who does AI mention more?

EltaMD, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Neutrogena in 3

EltaMD in 4 of 5Neutrogena in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

EltaMD, named ahead of Neutrogena in 3 of 4 answers

EltaMD first in 3Neutrogena first in 1

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Top sun cream brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, EltaMD was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Neutrogena was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. EltaMD was listed before Neutrogena in three out of four answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. La Roche-Posay1st
  2. Eucerin2nd
  3. EltaMD3rd
  4. Neutrogena4th
  5. Blue Lizard5th
  6. Nivea–
  7. COSRX–
  8. Childs Farm–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • EltaMD4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • La Roche-Posay3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Eucerin3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Neutrogena3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Blue Lizard3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Nivea0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • COSRX0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Childs Farm0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about sun cream 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 21, 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 eight sun cream brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

EltaMD and Neutrogena among sun cream 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-PosayNiveaEucerinCOSRXNeutrogenaEltaMDBlue LizardChilds Farm
Oct 202548.1%21.7%17.7%7.9%2.4%1.6%0.26%0.26%
Nov 202548.1%22.6%17.7%7.9%2%1.3%0.17%0.26%
Dec 202551.7%20.5%15.5%8.5%2.1%1.1%0.23%0.23%
Jan 202650.1%22.6%15.1%8.2%2.1%1.4%0.33%0.27%
Feb 202652.5%19.9%15.8%7.1%2.7%1.4%0.35%0.23%
Mar 202653.8%16.7%16.2%7.2%3.3%1.8%0.8%0.24%
Apr 202653.7%16.7%16.1%7.2%3.3%1.8%0.97%0.24%
May 202653.3%16.5%16%7.2%3.3%1.8%1.8%0.24%
Jun 202650.4%18.6%15.1%6.8%3.8%2%3%0.22%
Jul 202648.4%23.7%14.5%6.5%3%1.6%2%0.21%
Aug 202650.7%22%15.2%6.8%2.6%1.4%1.1%0.22%
Sep 202646.2%23.9%17%7.6%2.8%1.5%0.68%0.25%

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 sun cream brands worldwide moved from 1.6% to 1.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 60.5K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Neutrogena’s share of searches among sun cream brands worldwide moved from 2.4% to 2.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 92.9K to 112K.

How did search popularity change for sun cream brands worldwide in September 2026?

1 change
  1. Estimated monthly branded searches for Neutrogena worldwide rose 21% over 12 measured months, from 92.9K to 112K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

5 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

3 branded search terms

  • neutrogena sunblock
  • neutrogena sunscreen
  • neutrogena suntan lotion

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among sun cream brands

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