Neutrogena Deep Clean Purifying Cleanser & Mask

Neutrogena Deep Clean Purifying Cleanser & Mask

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Cleansing
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, Trideceth-9 + 2 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Deep Clean Purifying Cleanser & Mask”
From product name

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (peg-5 ethylhexanoate, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, trideceth-9, 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.

Even though this formulation is mild, the following cleansing agents could trigger an irritation or allergy for some people: sodium methyl cocoyl taurate

Sodium methyl cocoyl taurateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agent~2.5–3.8%
Trideceth-9Effect: High~1.7–2.6%
Peg-5 ethylhexanoateEffect: High~1.4–2.1%
Xanthan gumEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency~1.1–1.7%
Anti-blemish
Salicylic acid, Glycolic acid + 2 more
Works well
What the product description says
“Deep Clean Purifying Cleanser & Mask”
From product name

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

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)0.5%
Glycolic acidKey activeEffect: MediumAn 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~0.95–1.45%
KaolinEffect: LowA type of clay that consists mainly of aluminum silicate. Helps absorb oil and creates a thicker product consistency. Can be used to add a white color~5–7.6%
BentoniteEffect: LowHelps stabilize the product formulation~3.3–4.9%
Exfoliation
Side benefit · Glycolic acid, Salicylic acid
Works 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: glycolic acid, salicylic acid.

Glycolic acidKey activeEffect: HighAn 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~0.95–1.45%
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)0.5%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 strong irritants: Menthyl lactate, Parfum
Medium risk
We flagged 8 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)High0.5%
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurateHelps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agentHigh~2.5–3.8%est.
Glycolic acidAn 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 acidHigh~0.95–1.45%est.
Menthyl lactateUsed as a fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.4–1%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.1–0.4%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.55–1.25%est.
Sodium citrateHelps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve productsMedium~0.05–0.3%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.05–0.1%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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.

Salicylic acid0.5%
Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-blemishExfoliationAnti-inflammatoryAntibacterialEvens 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
Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Glycerin~6–8.9%
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
Kaolin~5–7.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MattifyingAnti-blemish

A type of clay that consists mainly of aluminum silicate. Helps absorb oil and creates a thicker product consistency. Can be used to add a white color

More about Kaolin
Bentonite~3.3–4.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-blemish

Helps stabilize the product formulation

More about Bentonite
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate~2.5–3.8%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agent

More about Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate
Trideceth-9~1.7–2.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Trideceth-9
Peg-5 ethylhexanoate~1.4–2.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Peg-5 ethylhexanoate
Xanthan gum~1.1–1.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Glycolic acid~0.95–1.45%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-agingExfoliationEvens skin toneAnti-blemish

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 acid
Citric acid~0.55–1.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Menthyl lactate~0.4–1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Menthyl lactate
Panthenol~0.35–0.8%
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
Sodium hydroxide~0.15–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Parfum~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Sodium citrate~0.05–0.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products

More about Sodium citrate
Disodium edta~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Titanium dioxide~0.05–0.2%
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
Green 3
Not recognized
Ingredient list view

Salicylic acid, Water, Glycerin, Kaolin, Bentonite, Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, Trideceth-9, Peg-5 ethylhexanoate, Xanthan gum, Glycolic acid, Citric acid, Menthyl lactate, Panthenol, Sodium hydroxide, Parfum, Sodium citrate, Disodium edta, Titanium dioxide, Unknown

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

🇬🇧 Amazon UK (UK)Price as of 11/9 00:00 GMT
≈ $8.58
Buy
🇨🇦 Amazon CA (CA)
Price unavailable Out of stock
Check
🇦🇺 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
NeutrogenaDeep Clean Purifying Cleanser & MaskYOUR PRODUCTSkinfixAcne+ 2% BHA CleanserCeraVeGel Moussant Anti-ImperfectionsBiodermaSébium Active Foaming Gel
Match—86%84%80%
Price—$10.00—$11.40
Shared key ingredients—4 of 94 of 94 of 9
Key difference—Azelaic AcidNiacinamideFructose
Irritancy Medium Low Low Medium
Drying alcohol————
View product Shop Shop Shop

More alternatives: Uriage Hyseac 3-REGUL Golbal SkincareYEOUTH Vitamin C Facial Cleanser Day/Night Cream

Cheaper alternatives? See how this stacks up against similar formulas.
We compare ingredient profiles across our catalog — pick the closest match for your budget.
Open dupe finder
Neutrogena Deep Clean Purifying Cleanser & Mask
NeutrogenaDeep Clean Purifying Cleanser & Mask

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

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.