NEOSTRATA Clarify Fragrance Free Mandelic Clarifying Facial Cleanser

NEOSTRATA Clarify Fragrance Free Mandelic Clarifying Facial Cleanser

Efficacy91/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Anti-blemish
Salicylic acid, Gluconolactone + 1 more
Works well
What the product description says
“Neostrata Clarify Blemish-Prone Skin Mandelic Clarifying Cleanser is a gel facial wash for oily skin with 4% PHA/AHA.”
Source: Chemist warehouse

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.

The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: gluconolactone, mandelic acid

Salicylic acidHeroEffect: HighUsed 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)~0.9–1.35%
GluconolactoneKey activeEffect: MediumA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals~2.7–4%
Mandelic acidKey activeEffect: MediumHelps shed the upper layer of dead cells from the surface of the skin revealing smoother, brighter skin. It can help to reduce hyperpigmentation. It has anti-bacterial properties, and might help to reduce blemishes, as well as fine lines and wrinkles. It is considered to be gentler than glycolic acid~1.3–2%
Exfoliation
Gluconolactone, Mandelic acid + 1 more
Works well
What the product description says
“Neostrata Clarify Blemish-Prone Skin Mandelic Clarifying Cleanser is a gel facial wash for oily skin with 4% PHA/AHA.”
Source: Chemist warehouse

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: gluconolactone, mandelic acid, salicylic acid.

GluconolactoneKey activeEffect: HighA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals~2.7–4%
Mandelic acidKey activeEffect: HighHelps shed the upper layer of dead cells from the surface of the skin revealing smoother, brighter skin. It can help to reduce hyperpigmentation. It has anti-bacterial properties, and might help to reduce blemishes, as well as fine lines and wrinkles. It is considered to be gentler than glycolic acid~1.3–2%
Salicylic acidKey activeEffect: HighUsed 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)~0.9–1.35%
Cleansing
Peg-80 sorbitan laurate, Ammonium laureth sulfate + 11 more
Can be harsh
What the product description says
“Clarify Fragrance Free Mandelic Clarifying Facial Cleanser”
From product name

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin.

It contains the following cleansing agents that tend to be harsh on the skin: benzalkonium chloride, sodium laureth sulfate.

The following cleansing agents are typically mild, but still can cause an irritation or allergy for some people cocamidopropyl betaine.

Keep in mind that cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.

Peg-80 sorbitan laurateEffect: High~4.6–6.9%
Ammonium laureth sulfateEffect: High~2.2–3.3%
TriethanolamineEffect: HighUsed to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell~1.8–2.6%
Disodium cocoamphodiacetateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent~1.6–2.4%
Cocamidopropyl betaineEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen~1–1.6%
Sodium laureth sulfateEffect: HighWorks as a foaming cleansing agent~0.55–1.25%
Sodium laureth-13 carboxylateEffect: High~0.5–1.15%
Peg-150 distearateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.45–1.05%
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.35–0.85%
Ppg-2 hydroxyethyl cocamideEffect: High~0.15–0.55%
Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.15–0.65%
Polysorbate 20Effect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.1–0.4%
Benzalkonium chlorideEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agent (detergent). Also used as a preservative. Can be irritating~0.05–0.1%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil
Medium risk
We flagged 14 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Mandelic acidHelps shed the upper layer of dead cells from the surface of the skin revealing smoother, brighter skin. It can help to reduce hyperpigmentation. It has anti-bacterial properties, and might help to reduce blemishes, as well as fine lines and wrinkles. It is considered to be gentler than glycolic acidHigh~1.3–2%est.
Salicylic acidUsed 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)High~0.9–1.35%est.
Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilAn essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial propertiesHigh~0.5–1.2%est.
Cocamidopropyl betaineHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergenHigh~1–1.6%est.
Sodium laureth sulfateWorks as a foaming cleansing agentHigh~0.55–1.25%est.
Benzalkonium chlorideHelps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agent (detergent). Also used as a preservative. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.1%est.
GluconolactoneA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicalsMedium~2.7–4%est.
TriethanolamineUsed to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smellMedium~1.8–2.6%est.
Disodium cocoamphodiacetateHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agentMedium~1.6–2.4%est.
Peg-150 distearateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.45–1.05%est.
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.35–0.85%est.
Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.15–0.65%est.
BhtA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.2%est.
ChlorphenesinA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.25%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Sodium laureth sulfateWorks as a foaming cleansing agent2/5~0.55–1.25%est.

User reviews

Would you recommend?
No community reviews yet.

Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Peg-80 sorbitan laurate~4.6–6.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Peg-80 sorbitan laurate
Glycerin~3.3–4.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 Glycerin
Gluconolactone~2.7–4%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-agingEvens skin toneExfoliationMoisturizingAnti-blemishAnti-oxidation

A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals

More about Gluconolactone
Ammonium laureth sulfate~2.2–3.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Ammonium laureth sulfate
Triethanolamine~1.8–2.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell

More about Triethanolamine
Disodium cocoamphodiacetate~1.6–2.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent

More about Disodium cocoamphodiacetate
Mandelic acid~1.3–2%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Evens skin toneExfoliationAnti-blemishAntibacterial

Helps shed the upper layer of dead cells from the surface of the skin revealing smoother, brighter skin. It can help to reduce hyperpigmentation. It has anti-bacterial properties, and might help to reduce blemishes, as well as fine lines and wrinkles. It is considered to be gentler than glycolic acid

More about Mandelic acid
Salicylic acid~0.9–1.35%
Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryExfoliationAnti-blemishAntibacterialEvens skin tone

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 acid
Panthenol~0.85–1.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Reduces rednessMoisturizingReduces irritation

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function

More about Panthenol
Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil~0.5–1.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Antibacterial

An essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties

More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil
Peg-150 distearate~0.45–1.05%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Peg-150 distearate
Cocamidopropyl betaine~1–1.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen

More about Cocamidopropyl betaine
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~0.35–0.85%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil
Sodium laureth sulfate~0.55–1.25%
Comedogenic 2/5Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
Cleansing

Works as a foaming cleansing agent

More about Sodium laureth sulfate
Sodium laureth-13 carboxylate~0.5–1.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Sodium laureth-13 carboxylate
Sodium chloride~0.2–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures

More about Sodium chloride
Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate~0.15–0.65%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate
Ppg-2 hydroxyethyl cocamide~0.15–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Ppg-2 hydroxyethyl cocamide
Polyquaternium-10~0.1–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish

More about Polyquaternium-10
Polysorbate 20~0.1–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polysorbate 20
Benzalkonium chloride~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agent (detergent). Also used as a preservative. Can be irritating

More about Benzalkonium chloride
Bht~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Bht
Chlorphenesin~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Chlorphenesin
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Ingredient list view

Water, Peg-80 sorbitan laurate, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Ammonium laureth sulfate, Triethanolamine, Disodium cocoamphodiacetate, Mandelic acid, Salicylic acid, Panthenol, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Peg-150 distearate, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Sodium laureth sulfate, Sodium laureth-13 carboxylate, Sodium chloride, Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate, Ppg-2 hydroxyethyl cocamide, Polyquaternium-10, Polysorbate 20, Benzalkonium chloride, Bht, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

🇦🇺 Amazon Australia (AU)
Price unavailable Out of stock
Check

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
NEOSTRATAClarify Fragrance Free Mandelic Clarifying Facial CleanserYOUR PRODUCTExuviancePore Clarifying CleanserNiche Beauty labPHA Soft Peeling CleanserTransparent LabPHA Soft Peeling Cleanser
Match—92%81%81%
Price—$37.00——
Shared key ingredients—18 of 184 of 184 of 18
Key difference——Potassium Cocoyl Rice Amino AcidsPotassium Cocoyl Rice Amino Acids
Irritancy Medium Medium Low Low
Drying alcohol————
View product Shop Shop Shop

More alternatives: CeraVe Renewing SA CleanserCOSRX The AHA BHA PHA LHA 35 Peel

Cheaper alternatives? Browse formulas in the same category.
We compare ingredient profiles across our catalog — pick the closest match for your budget.
Open dupe finder

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 23 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
NEOSTRATA Clarify Fragrance Free Mandelic Clarifying Facial Cleanser
NEOSTRATAClarify Fragrance Free Mandelic Clarifying Facial Cleanser

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.