Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Face Scrub With 2% Salicylic Acid
Works for
ExfoliationSalicylic acid, Glycolic acidWorks well
“Oil-Free Acne Face Scrub With 2% Salicylic Acid”
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.
Anti-blemishSalicylic acid, Glycolic acidWorks well
“Oil-Free Acne Face Scrub With 2% Salicylic Acid”
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
CleansingCetyl alcohol, Polysorbate 60 + 4 moreCan be harsh
“Clean deep into pores and help stop breakouts before they start with Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Daily Face Scrub with 2% salicylic acid acne medication.”
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
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
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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~7.2–8.8%
- 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 etherCellulose~3.4–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can be used to help absorb oil as well as add volume and imporve texture of products.
More about CelluloseGlycerin~2.4–2.9%
- 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 60~1.9–2.3%
Steareth-21~1.6–1.9%
C12-15 alkyl lactate~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycolic acid~1.2–1.5%
- 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 acidCetyl lactate~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Potassium cetyl phosphate~0.7–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateSodium hydroxide~0.55–0.8%
Xanthan gum~0.5–0.75%
- 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
Disodium edta~0.4–0.6%
Parfum~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumMenthol~0.35–0.6%
- 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 chlorideAgar~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 AgarBht~0.25–0.45%
Sodium benzotriazolyl butylphenol sulfonate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps protect the ingredients in the formulation against UV light
More about Sodium benzotriazolyl butylphenol sulfonateIron oxides~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 oxidesMica~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaCi 19140~0.1–0.2%
Titanium dioxide~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 dioxideCi 73360~0.05–0.1%
Ci 16035~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Salicylic acid, Water, Cetyl alcohol, Ppg-15 stearyl ether, Cellulose, Glycerin, Polysorbate 60, Steareth-21, C12-15 alkyl lactate, Glycolic acid, Cetyl lactate, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Sodium hydroxide, Xanthan gum, Cocamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate, Disodium edta, Parfum, Menthol, Benzalkonium chloride, Agar, Bht, Sodium benzotriazolyl butylphenol sulfonate, Iron oxides, Mica, Ci 19140, Titanium dioxide, Ci 73360, Ci 16035
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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.
| NeutrogenaOil-Free Acne Face Scrub With 2% Salicylic AcidYOUR PRODUCT | CeraVeGel Moussant Anti-Imperfections | Community Sixty-SixDetoxifying AHA/BHA Gel Cleanser | UriageHyseac Anti-Blemish Cleansing Gel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 84% | 82% | 81% |
| Price | $6.49 | — | $15.82+$9.33 | $16.46+$9.97 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 10 | 3 of 10 | 5 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Niacinamide | Lactic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Bioderma Sebium Gel Moussant Actif Exfoliating Cleanser suitable For Acne Prone SkinEucerin DermoPure Triple Effect Cleansing Gel
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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