Neutrogena Acne Stress Control Power-Clear Scrub
Works for
Anti-blemishSalicylic acid, Glycolic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Acne face scrub prevents breakouts”
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: glycolic acid
ExfoliationGlycolic acid, Salicylic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Oil-free acne face scrub with calming green tea, cucumber and skin soothers, softens skin while exfoliating.”
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: glycolic acid, salicylic acid.
CleansingCetyl alcohol, Polysorbate 60 + 4 moreCan be harsh
“Oil-free face wash exfoliates & cleanses”
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.
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Parfum, MentholMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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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 acidWater~45–55%
Cetyl alcohol~7.3–8.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholPpg-15 stearyl ether~5.3–6.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Help soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Ppg-15 stearyl etherMicrocrystalline cellulose~3.3–4.1%
Glycolic acid~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
More about Glycolic acidGlycerin~2–2.4%
- 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 GlycerinPolysorbate 60~1.7–2.1%
Steareth-21~1.5–1.8%
C12-15 alkyl lactate~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cetyl lactate~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Potassium cetyl phosphate~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateMicrocrystalline wax~0.65–1%
Sodium hydroxide~0.55–0.85%
Xanthan gum~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCocamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Parfum~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumDisodium edta~0.45–0.65%
Menthol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Benzalkonium 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 chlorideCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractSodium benzotriazolyl butylphenol sulfonate~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps protect the ingredients in the formulation against UV light
More about Sodium benzotriazolyl butylphenol sulfonateButylene glycol~0.15–0.3%
- 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 glycolCucumis sativus fruit extract~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect
More about Cucumis sativus fruit extractChromium hydroxide green~0.15–0.25%
Ci 19140~0.1–0.15%
Ci 42090~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Salicylic acid, Water, Cetyl alcohol, Ppg-15 stearyl ether, Microcrystalline cellulose, Glycolic acid, Glycerin, Polysorbate 60, Steareth-21, C12-15 alkyl lactate, Cetyl lactate, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Microcrystalline wax, Sodium hydroxide, Xanthan gum, Cocamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate, Parfum, Disodium edta, Menthol, Benzalkonium chloride, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Sodium benzotriazolyl butylphenol sulfonate, Butylene glycol, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Chromium hydroxide green, Unknown, Ci 19140, Ci 42090
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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.
| NeutrogenaAcne Stress Control Power-Clear ScrubYOUR PRODUCT | MuradMini AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser | SkinCeuticalsClarifying Exfoliating Cleanser | Up&UpDeep Cream Cleanser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 83% | 82% | 82% |
| Price | $9.57 | $19.00+$9.43 | $36.00+$26.43 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 10 | 2 of 10 | 6 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Lactic Acid | Lactic Acid | — |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Perricone MD Neuropeptide Pore-Refining & Resurfacing Cream CleanserCeraVe Gel Moussant Anti-Imperfections
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 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
- 6
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