Neutrogena Clear and Defend 2 in 1 Wash Mask

Neutrogena Clear and Defend 2 in 1 Wash Mask

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Anti-blemish
Salicylic acid, Kaolin + 1 more
Works well
What the product description says
“This facial wash-mask with kaolin white clay cleanses skin and is clinically proven to help prevent future breakouts for a smoother, clearer complexion.”
Source: Supderdrug

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)~1–1.5%
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~3.7–5.5%
BentoniteEffect: LowHelps stabilize the product formulation~2.7–4%
Exfoliation
Side benefit the brand mentions · Salicylic acid, Lactic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“A gentle consistency won’t strip the skin of its natural moisture; Salicylic Acid lightly but effectively buffs away dead skin cells as well as harmful bacteria and grime to encourage a polished, refined and silky-smooth complexion.”
Source: Mankind

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)~1–1.5%
Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn 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)~0.35–0.85%
Moisturizing
Side benefit the brand mentions · Glycerin, Lactic acid
Works
What the product description says
“The non-drying cleanser won’t cause unnecessary dehydration despite its ability to absorb excess acne-causing oil, leaving behind a cleaner, clearer and more vibrant visage in its wake.”
Source: Mankind

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin.

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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~4.6–6.9%
Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn 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)~0.35–0.85%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 strong irritants: Menthol, Parfum
Medium risk
We flagged 10 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurateHelps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agentHigh~2.3–3.5%est.
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~1–1.5%est.
Benzalkonium chlorideHelps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agent (detergent). Also used as a preservative. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.1%est.
Menthol—High~0.95–1.45%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.05–0.15%est.
Lactic acidAn 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)Medium~0.35–0.85%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.15–0.5%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.1–0.4%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~0.1–0.35%est.
ChlorphenesinA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.2%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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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
Glycerin~4.6–6.9%
Key active
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~3.7–5.5%
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~2.7–4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-blemish

Helps stabilize the product formulation

More about Bentonite
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate~2.3–3.5%
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-9~1.6–2.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Trideceth-9
Salicylic acid~1–1.5%
Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryAnti-blemishExfoliationAntibacterialEvens 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
Benzalkonium chloride~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agent (detergent). Also used as a preservative. Can be irritating

More about Benzalkonium chloride
Menthol~0.95–1.45%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Menthol
C12-15 alkyl lactate~0.85–1.3%
Formula
Cetyl lactate~0.5–1.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Cetyl lactate
Cocamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate~0.4–1%
Formula
Lactic acid~0.35–0.85%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Evens skin toneMoisturizingExfoliationAnti-aging

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 acid
Peg-5 ethylhexanoate~0.35–0.85%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Peg-5 ethylhexanoate
Coconut acid~0.4–0.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Coconut acid
Sodium chloride~0.2–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures

More about Sodium chloride
Xanthan gum~0.15–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Disodium edta~0.15–0.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Citric acid~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

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

More about Citric acid
Sodium citrate~0.1–0.35%
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
Sodium hydroxide~0.05–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Chlorphenesin~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Chlorphenesin
Parfum~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Ci 77891~0.05–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Ci 77891
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Kaolin, Bentonite, Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, Trideceth-9, Salicylic acid, Benzalkonium chloride, Menthol, C12-15 alkyl lactate, Cetyl lactate, Cocamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate, Lactic acid, Peg-5 ethylhexanoate, Coconut acid, Sodium chloride, Xanthan gum, Disodium edta, Citric acid, Sodium citrate, Sodium hydroxide, Chlorphenesin, Parfum, Ci 77891

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🇬🇧 Lookfantastic (UK)150 ml
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🇬🇧 Lookfantastic (UK)150 ml
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🇬🇧 Mankind (UK)150 ml
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🇬🇧 Mankind (UK)150 ml
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🇬🇧 Amazon UK (UK)Price as of 11/8 06:35 GMT
≈ $8.58
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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
NeutrogenaClear and Defend 2 in 1 Wash MaskYOUR PRODUCTM-61PowerSpot MaskLili MargoBioCell' Mask x3Particle for MenParticle Face Mask For Men
Match—84%82%81%
Price———$36.00
Shared key ingredients—4 of 42 of 43 of 4
Key difference—BakuchiolAllantoinCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Irritancy Medium High Low Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Neutrogena Clear and Defend 2 in 1 Wash Mask
NeutrogenaClear and Defend 2 in 1 Wash Mask

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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.