Neutrogena Clear & Defend Oil Free Moisturiser
Works for
ExfoliationSalicylic acid, Lactic acidWorks well
“Starring 0.5% salicylic acid, the cream gently buffs away dead skin cells for a visibly smoother, more supple result, alongside promoting a more even-looking complexion.”
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.
MoisturizingGlycerin, Cetyl alcohol + 10 moreWorks
“Providing up to 24 hours of hydration, the Neutrogena Clear and Defend Oil Free Moisturiser is a blemish-friendly formula that protects from congestion.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
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. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, aloe barbadensis leaf extract.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: dimethicone, c12-15 alkyl benzoate.
Evens skin toneSalicylic acid, Lactic acidNot delivered
“A lightweight, oil-free moisturiser that soothes breakout-prone skin while balancing the look of discolouration and redness.”
This product might help improve the skin tone through exfoliation. In other words, it helps to speed up the shedding of cells from the upper layer of the skin, and this might help reduce hyperpigmentation.
Anti-blemishSide benefit the brand mentions · Salicylic acidWorks well
“The light-weight and oil-free moisturiser is silky-smooth, and glides across the skin as it soothes without clogging your pores.”
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Menthyl lactate, ParfumMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
1 of 1 community members would buy it again.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~4.1–6.1%
- 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 GlycerinPropylene glycol~3.4–5%
- 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 glycolCetyl alcohol~2.2–3.3%
- 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 alcoholC12-15 alkyl benzoate~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoateStearyl alcohol~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholGlyceryl stearate~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearatePeg-100 stearate~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateAloe barbadensis leaf extract~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf extractChamomilla recutita flower extract~0.8–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Chamomilla recutita flower extractMenthyl lactate~0.5–1.15%
Cetyl lactate~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cocamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
C12-15 alkyl lactate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dimethicone~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeSodium isostearoyl lactylate~0.3–0.75%
Propylene glycol isostearate~0.2–0.75%
Cyclohexasiloxane~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that serves as an emollient. Helps create a nice non-greasy feels
More about CyclohexasiloxaneCyclopentasiloxane~0.2–0.75%
- 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 CyclopentasiloxanePalmitic acid~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidStearic acid~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidSalicylic acid~0.15–0.55%
- 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 acidCarbomer~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerSodium chloride~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideDisodium edta~0.1–0.4%
Sodium hydroxide~0.1–0.4%
Lactic acid~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidBenzalkonium 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 chlorideMethylparaben~0.05–0.25%
Propylparaben~0.05–0.2%
Ethylparaben~0.05–0.25%
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolParfum~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumBenzyl alcohol~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Propylene glycol, Cetyl alcohol, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Stearyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Menthyl lactate, Cetyl lactate, Cocamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate, C12-15 alkyl lactate, Dimethicone, Sodium isostearoyl lactylate, Propylene glycol isostearate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Palmitic acid, Stearic acid, Salicylic acid, Carbomer, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Sodium chloride, Disodium edta, Sodium hydroxide, Lactic acid, Benzalkonium chloride, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Benzyl alcohol
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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.
| NeutrogenaClear & Defend Oil Free MoisturiserYOUR PRODUCT | Paula's choiceCalm 1 procent BHA Lotion Exfoliant Full size | Clean & ClearDual Action Moisturiser | Colleen Rothschild BeautyWeightless Moisturizer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 97% | 95% | 94% |
| Price | — | $46.79 | $3.11 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract | — | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Codexial Enoliss Perfect Skin Spot Scrub Purifying Anti-Marks Correcting CareVichy Normaderm Hydrating Care
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 5
- 6Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
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