Clean & Clear Advantage Spot Treatment, 2% Salicylic Acid
Works for
Anti-blemishSalicylic acidWorks well
“Advantage Spot Treatment, 2% Salicylic Acid”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
ExfoliationSide benefit · Salicylic acidWorks well
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: salicylic acid.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane + 6 moreWorks
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sarcosine.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Hamamelis virginiana water + 3 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Salicylic acid2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidAlcohol denat.~24–36%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Hamamelis virginiana water~5.1–7.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
More about Hamamelis virginiana waterPolyacrylamide~4.8–7.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
More about PolyacrylamideGlycerin~3–4.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinCyclopentasiloxane~2.5–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneC13-14 isoparaffin~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
More about C13-14 isoparaffinC12-15 alkyl lactate~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Alcohol~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholPhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCetyl lactate~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ppg-2 isoceteth-20 acetate~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Ppg-2 isoceteth-20 acetateCocamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Laureth-7~0.35–0.85%
Polysorbate 20~0.35–0.8%
Phenethyl dimethicone~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Parfum~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumDehydroxanthan gum~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create thicker product formulations and stabilize emulsions
More about Dehydroxanthan gumPropylene glycol~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolBenzalkonium chloride~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agent (detergent). Also used as a preservative. Can be irritating
More about Benzalkonium chlorideAmmonia~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tetrasodium edta~0.15–0.55%
Butylene glycol~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolCapryloyl glycine~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together, preserve cosmetic products, and attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Capryloyl glycineSarcosine~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to enhance the penetration of other ingredients and attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about SarcosineCinnamomum zeylanicum bark extract~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Cedrus atlantica bark extract~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Portulaca oleracea extract~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant activity, but solid research is lacking. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Portulaca oleracea extractWater~0.05–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Salicylic acid, Alcohol denat., Hamamelis virginiana water, Polyacrylamide, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, C13-14 isoparaffin, C12-15 alkyl lactate, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl lactate, Ppg-2 isoceteth-20 acetate, Cocamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate, Laureth-7, Polysorbate 20, Phenethyl dimethicone, Parfum, Dehydroxanthan gum, Propylene glycol, Benzalkonium chloride, Ammonia, Tetrasodium edta, Butylene glycol, Capryloyl glycine, Sarcosine, Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark extract, Cedrus atlantica bark extract, Portulaca oleracea extract, Water
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Clean & ClearAdvantage Spot Treatment, 2% Salicylic AcidYOUR PRODUCT | Neutrogena Rapid ClearAcne Eliminating Spot Treatment Gel | Dr. Jart+Teatreement Soothing Spot Corrector | First Aid BeautyFAB Pharma White Clay Acne Treatment Pads 2% Salicylic Acid | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 98% | 85% | 85% |
| Price | $9.99 | $8.55−$1.44 | $19.34+$9.35 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | — | Niacinamide | Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract |
| Irritancy | High | High | High | High |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Neutrogena Visibly Clear Spot Proofing Purifying TonerTransparent Lab Adult Acne Treatment
Product summary
"Clean & Clear - Advantage Spot Treatment, 2% Salicylic Acid" is effective for: Anti-blemish and Exfoliation
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Humectants (sarcosine 0.10% - 0.45% and glycerin 3.00% - 4.50%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 9.99$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 3A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
- 4
- 5
- 6Safety Assessment of Isoparaffins as Used in Cosmeticsjournals.sagepub.com
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