Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Prep Cleanser

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Prep Cleanser

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Cleansing
Cetyl alcohol, Polysorbate 60 + 3 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Rapid Wrinkle Repair Prep Cleanser”
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 (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~1.7–2.5%
Steareth-21Effect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~1.4–2.2%
Potassium cetyl phosphateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~1.2–1.8%
Xanthan gumEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency~0.35–0.85%
Exfoliation
Glycolic acid, Salicylic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“This rich facial cleanser with micro-exfoliants and glycolic acid lifts away dirt, oil, and other impurities to reveal skin that is visibly smooth, soft, and radiant.”
Source: Ulta

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)~0.55–1.3%
Anti-blemish
Side benefit · Salicylic acid, Glycolic acid
Works well

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)~0.55–1.3%
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%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: 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
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.
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~0.55–1.3%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.45–1.1%est.
Polysorbate 60Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.7–2.5%est.
Steareth-21Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.4–2.2%est.
Potassium cetyl phosphateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.2–1.8%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.15–0.65%est.
Tocopheryl acetateA more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.Medium~0.15–0.55%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.05–0.25%est.
Ci 17200A red colorantMedium~0.05–0.15%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
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~3.7–5.6%
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
Glycerin~2.7–4.1%
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
Cellulose~2.1–3.1%
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
Polysorbate 60~1.7–2.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polysorbate 60
Steareth-21~1.4–2.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Steareth-21
Potassium cetyl phosphate~1.2–1.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Potassium cetyl phosphate
Glycolic acid~0.95–1.45%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Evens skin toneAnti-agingExfoliationAnti-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
Salicylic acid~0.55–1.3%
Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
ExfoliationAnti-inflammatoryAnti-blemishAntibacterialEvens 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
Parfum~0.45–1.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Microcrystalline wax~0.45–1.05%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Microcrystalline wax
Xanthan gum~0.35–0.85%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Sodium hydroxide~0.3–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Disodium edta~0.15–0.65%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Tocopheryl acetate~0.15–0.55%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.

More about Tocopheryl acetate
Talc~0.2–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Absorbs oil and moisture helping to create a dryer product finish

More about Talc
Citric acid~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

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

More about Citric acid
Ultramarines~0.05–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Ultramarines
Ci 17200~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A red colorant

More about Ci 17200
Ingredient list view

Water, Cetyl alcohol, Ppg-15 stearyl ether, Glycerin, Cellulose, Polysorbate 60, Steareth-21, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Glycolic acid, Salicylic acid, Parfum, Microcrystalline wax, Xanthan gum, Sodium hydroxide, Disodium edta, Tocopheryl acetate, Talc, Citric acid, Ultramarines, Ci 17200

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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 Wrinkle Repair Prep CleanserYOUR PRODUCTCeraVeGel Moussant Anti-ImperfectionsUriageHyseac 3-REGUL Golbal SkincarePurifideBlackhead Control 2% SA Deep Exfoliating Cleanser
Match—83%81%81%
Price————
Shared key ingredients—4 of 85 of 85 of 8
Key difference—NiacinamideLactic AcidLinoleic Acid
Irritancy Medium Low Medium Medium
Drying alcohol————
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