Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Daily Acne Facial Cleanser

Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Daily Acne Facial Cleanser

Efficacy100/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Cleansing
Cetyl alcohol, Steareth-2 + 3 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Rapid Clear Stubborn Daily Acne Facial Cleanser”
Source: Target

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cetyl alcohol, laureth-4, potassium cetyl phosphate, steareth-2, 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~8.2–10.1%
Steareth-2Effect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~3.1–3.8%
Potassium cetyl phosphateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~2–2.4%
Xanthan gumEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency~1.5–1.8%
Laureth-4Effect: HighHelps water and oil mix together~0.3–0.55%
Anti-blemish
Benzoyl peroxide
Works well
What the product description says
“This daily acne-fighting face wash is clinically proven to rapidly reduce the size and redness of stubborn acne in just one day.”
Source: Target

This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: benzoyl peroxide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.

Benzoyl peroxideHeroEffect: HighA potent anti-bacterial ingredient that is effective against acne. Often leads to skin dryness and can be irritating10%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
3 strong irritants: Benzoyl peroxide, Parfum + 1 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 10 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Benzoyl peroxideA potent anti-bacterial ingredient that is effective against acne. Often leads to skin dryness and can be irritatingHigh10%
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~1.1–1.3%est.
Benzyl alcoholA preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.6–0.9%est.
Menthol—High~0.25–0.5%est.
Steareth-2Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~3.1–3.8%est.
Potassium cetyl phosphateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~2–2.4%est.
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerMaintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.7–2.1%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.55–0.85%est.
Laureth-4Helps water and oil mix togetherMedium~0.3–0.55%est.
BhtA preservativeMedium~0.25–0.45%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
Laureth-4Helps water and oil mix together2/5~0.3–0.55%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Benzoyl peroxide10%
Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-blemish

A potent anti-bacterial ingredient that is effective against acne. Often leads to skin dryness and can be irritating

More about Benzoyl peroxide
Water~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Cetyl alcohol~8.2–10.1%
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
Petrolatum~6–7.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the most effective and the most studied occlusive ingredients that creates a protective layer on top of the skin preventing moisture loss

More about Petrolatum
Zinc lactate~4.6–5.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Zinc lactate
Steareth-2~3.1–3.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Steareth-2
Glycerin~2.4–2.9%
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
Potassium cetyl phosphate~2–2.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Potassium cetyl phosphate
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~1.7–2.1%
Irritant · medium
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 crosspolymer
Xanthan gum~1.5–1.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Parfum~1.1–1.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Benzyl alcohol~0.6–0.9%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating

More about Benzyl alcohol
Disodium edta~0.55–0.85%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Laureth-4~0.3–0.55%
Comedogenic 2/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

More about Laureth-4
Bht~0.25–0.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Bht
Menthol~0.25–0.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Menthol
Ingredient list view

Benzoyl peroxide, Water, Cetyl alcohol, Petrolatum, Zinc lactate, Steareth-2, Glycerin, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Xanthan gum, Parfum, Benzyl alcohol, Disodium edta, Laureth-4, Bht, Menthol

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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
NeutrogenaRapid Clear Stubborn Daily Acne Facial CleanserYOUR PRODUCTCeraVeAcne Foaming Cream WashCetaphilGentle Clear Complexion-Clearing BPO Acne CleanserPanOxylAcne Creamy Wash, 4% Benzoyl Peroxide
Match—51%51%48%
Price—$14.99$14.99$8.35
Shared key ingredients—3 of 83 of 83 of 8
Key difference—NiacinamideDipotassium GlycyrrhizateDimethicone
Irritancy High Medium Medium Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 3 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Daily Acne Facial Cleanser
NeutrogenaRapid Clear Stubborn Daily Acne Facial Cleanser

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

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.