Neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle Scrub

Neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle Scrub

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Anti-blemish
Salicylic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“Oil-eliminating acne astringent works to unclog pores and helps treat and prevent breakouts”
Source: Walgreens

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.

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)~0.55–1.25%
Cleansing
Cetyl alcohol, Polysorbate 60 + 3 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Exfoliating oil-free daily facial scrub contains gentle exfoliators and beta hydroxy acid, proven to clean deep down to the pores.”
Source: Neutrogena

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cetyl alcohol, polysorbate 60, potassium cetyl phosphate, steareth-21, xanthan gum) and should be able to cleanse the skin gently. Still keep in mind that any cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.

Cetyl alcoholEffect: HighA non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together~5.6–8.4%
Polysorbate 60Effect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~1.6–2.4%
Steareth-21Effect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~1.4–2.1%
Potassium cetyl phosphateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~1.1–1.6%
Xanthan gumEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency~0.5–1.2%
Exfoliation
Salicylic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“Exfoliating oil-free daily facial scrub contains gentle exfoliators and beta hydroxy acid, proven to clean deep down to the pores.”
Source: Neutrogena

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.

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)~0.55–1.25%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Parfum
Medium risk
We flagged 7 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
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~0.55–1.25%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.4–0.95%est.
Ci 73360A red (pink) dyeHigh~0.05–0.2%est.
Polysorbate 60Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.6–2.4%est.
Steareth-21Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.4–2.1%est.
Potassium cetyl phosphateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.1–1.6%est.
AgarPolysaccharide derived from seaweed. Used to create a thicker product consistency and might help attract water to the upper layer of the skinMedium~0.35–0.75%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
Ci 73360A red (pink) dye2/5~0.05–0.2%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Cetyl alcohol~5.6–8.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together

More about Cetyl alcohol
Ppg-15 stearyl ether~3.9–5.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Help soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency

More about Ppg-15 stearyl ether
Cellulose~2.8–4.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Mattifying

Can be used to help absorb oil as well as add volume and imporve texture of products.

More about Cellulose
Glycerin~2.1–3.2%
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
Polysorbate 60~1.6–2.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polysorbate 60
Steareth-21~1.4–2.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Steareth-21
Potassium cetyl phosphate~1.1–1.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Potassium cetyl phosphate
Salicylic acid~0.55–1.25%
Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-blemishAnti-inflammatoryExfoliationAntibacterialEvens 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
Xanthan gum~0.5–1.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Parfum~0.4–0.95%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Agar~0.35–0.75%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Polysaccharide derived from seaweed. Used to create a thicker product consistency and might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Agar
Sodium hydroxide~0.15–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Iron oxides~0.15–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Sun protection

An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear

More about Iron oxides
Mica~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light

More about Mica
Titanium dioxide~0.05–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Sun protection

Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin

More about Titanium dioxide
Ci 73360~0.05–0.2%
Comedogenic 2/5Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Comedogenicity
2/5

A red (pink) dye

More about Ci 73360
Ingredient list view

Water, Cetyl alcohol, Ppg-15 stearyl ether, Cellulose, Glycerin, Polysorbate 60, Steareth-21, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Salicylic acid, Xanthan gum, Parfum, Agar, Sodium hydroxide, Iron oxides, Mica, Titanium dioxide, Ci 73360

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

Neutrogena4.2 Fl. Oz
$6.09
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Amazon USPrice as of 11/11 18:17 GMT
$7.97
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Walgreens4.2 fl oz
$10.99
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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
NeutrogenaDeep Clean Gentle ScrubYOUR PRODUCTUp&UpDeep Cream CleanserClean & ClearCream Facial Cleanser Oil-FreeOlayRegenerist Collagen Peptide 24 Cream Cleanser
Match—89%86%86%
Price$10.99—$3.09−$7.90$13.00+$2.01
Shared key ingredients—6 of 75 of 74 of 7
Key difference———Niacinamide
Irritancy Medium Medium Medium Low
Drying alcohol————
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Neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle Scrub
NeutrogenaDeep Clean Gentle Scrub

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

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.