Neutrogena Skin Balancing Clay Cleanser

Neutrogena Skin Balancing Clay Cleanser

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Cleansing
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, Xanthan gum
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Skin Balancing Clay Cleanser”
Source: Neutrogena

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, 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~2.3–3.4%
Xanthan gumEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency~0.3–0.75%
Exfoliation
Side benefit the brand mentions · Gluconolactone
Works well
What the product description says
“This mattifying cleanser contains kaolin clay, to effectively target pore-clogging dirt, and 2% polyhydroxy acid (PHA), a powerful liquid exfoliant and humectant that decongests down to the pores.”
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: gluconolactone.

GluconolactoneKey activeEffect: HighA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals~1.4–2.2%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Parfum
Medium risk
We flagged 6 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~2.3–3.4%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.1–0.45%est.
GluconolactoneA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicalsMedium~1.4–2.2%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~1–1.5%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~0.1–0.3%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~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
Glycerin~4.7–7%
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~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~2.3–3.4%
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
Gluconolactone~1.4–2.2%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Evens skin toneExfoliationAnti-agingMoisturizingAnti-blemishAnti-oxidation

A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals

More about Gluconolactone
Citric acid~1–1.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

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

More about Citric acid
Sodium hydroxide~0.85–1.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Sodium benzoate~0.25–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate
Xanthan gum~0.3–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Parfum~0.1–0.45%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Sodium citrate~0.1–0.3%
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~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Titanium dioxide~0.05–0.3%
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
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Kaolin, Bentonite, Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, Gluconolactone, Citric acid, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium benzoate, Xanthan gum, Parfum, Sodium citrate, Disodium edta, Titanium dioxide

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Neutrogena
$9.21 Out of stock
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Amazon USPrice as of 11/9 03:16 GMT
$19.99
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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
NeutrogenaSkin Balancing Clay CleanserYOUR PRODUCTSkinfixBarrier+ Foaming Oil CleanserSpotles SKNJelly CleanserCoolaGlowing Greens Detoxifying Facial Cleansing Gel
Match—62%60%57%
Price$19.99$27.16+$7.17$8.90−$11.09$28.00+$8.01
Shared key ingredients—4 of 53 of 53 of 5
Key difference—PanthenolBetaineAnhydroxylitol
Irritancy Medium Medium Low Medium
Drying alcohol————
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More alternatives: Skingredients PreProbiotic CleanseFacetheory HydraCleanse Rebalancing Gel Cleanser | Gentle Daily Face Wash - facetheory.com

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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.

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Neutrogena Skin Balancing Clay Cleanser
NeutrogenaSkin Balancing Clay Cleanser

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

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.