What's In My Jar
Neutrogena Skin Balancing Milky Cleanser with 2% PHA
Neutrogena

Neutrogena Skin Balancing Milky Cleanser with 2% PHA

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium
See all ingredients

Works for

Cleansing
Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate + 3 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Designed for dry and sensitive skin, this milky cleanser melts away dirt and impurities while moisturizing and soothing skin.”
Source: Neutrogena

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (carbomer, glyceryl stearate, peg-100 stearate, peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil) 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.

Glyceryl stearateEffect: HighAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together~2.1–3.1%
Peg-100 stearateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture~1.7–2.6%
CarbomerEffect: HighHelps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations~1–1.5%
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.5–1.1%
LecithinEffect: High, below effective doseUsed mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.15–0.7%
Exfoliation
Gluconolactone, Allantoin
Works well
What the product description says
“This skin balancing formula contains dermatologist-grade 2% polyhydroxy acid (PHA), a powerful liquid exfoliant & moisturizing humectant in one, that decongests down to the pores while conditioning skin.”
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~2.7–4.1%
AllantoinEffect: Low, below effective doseHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.05–0.15%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Parfum
Medium risk
We flagged 9 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.15–0.65%est.
P-anisic acidHelps preserve products. Can mask unpleasant smell. Could be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.25%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~2.7–4.1%est.
Sodium acrylates copolymerUsed to create a thicker product consistencyMedium~1.1–1.7%est.
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.5–1.1%est.
Persea gratissima oilAn emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier functionMedium~0.45–1.05%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.4–0.9%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~0.1–0.4%est.
ChlorphenesinA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.2%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged
Alternatives
The closest match we found
PreProbiotic Cleanse
Skingredients PreProbiotic Cleanse
Closest match57% match
View all alternatives

User reviews

Would you recommend?
No community reviews yet.

Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Helianthus annuus seed oil~5.8–8.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function

More about Helianthus annuus seed oil
Glycerin~3.6–5.3%
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
Gluconolactone~2.7–4.1%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-agingEvens skin toneExfoliationMoisturizingAnti-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
Glyceryl stearate~2.1–3.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together

More about Glyceryl stearate
Peg-100 stearate~1.7–2.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture

More about Peg-100 stearate
Sorbitol~1.4–2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture

More about Sorbitol
Sodium acrylates copolymer~1.1–1.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Sodium acrylates copolymer
Carbomer~1–1.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations

More about Carbomer
Sodium hydroxide~0.6–1.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~0.5–1.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil
Persea gratissima oil~0.45–1.05%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function

More about Persea gratissima oil
Caprylyl glycol~0.4–0.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Parfum~0.15–0.65%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Lecithin~0.15–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Lecithin
Sodium citrate~0.1–0.4%
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
P-anisic acid~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Helps preserve products. Can mask unpleasant smell. Could be irritating

More about P-anisic acid
Chlorphenesin~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Chlorphenesin
Allantoin~0.05–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryReduces irritationReduces rednessAnti-blemishExfoliation

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

More about Allantoin
Ingredient list view

Water, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Sorbitol, Sodium acrylates copolymer, Carbomer, Sodium hydroxide, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Persea gratissima oil, Caprylyl glycol, Parfum, Lecithin, Sodium citrate, P-anisic acid, Chlorphenesin, Allantoin

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

Amazon US
Price unavailable Out of stock
Check

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

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 Milky Cleanser with 2% PHAYOUR PRODUCTSkingredientsPreProbiotic CleanseCeraVeAcne Control CleanserTransparent LabPHA Soft Peeling Cleanser
Match—57%55%51%
Price——$12.79—
Shared key ingredients—3 of 93 of 93 of 9
Key difference—Myristyl MyristateNiacinamideSalicylic Acid
Irritancy Medium Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
View product Shop Shop Shop
  • matches yours
  • differs
  • cheaper

More alternatives: Niche Beauty lab PHA Soft Peeling CleanserSpotles SKN Jelly Cleanser

Cheaper alternatives? Browse formulas in the same category.
We compare ingredient profiles across our catalog — pick the closest match for your budget.
Open dupe finder

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 20 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Effect of Olive and Sunflower Seed Oil on the Adult Skin Barrier: Implications for Neonatal Skin Careonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  2. 2
    Topically Applied Sunflower Seed Oil Prevents Invasive Bacterial Infections in Preterm Infants in Egyptjournals.lww.com
  3. 3
    Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  4. 4
    Impact of topical oils on the skin barrier: possible implications for neonatal health in developing countriesonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  5. 5
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. 6
    A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acnencbi.nlm.nih.gov
Neutrogena Skin Balancing Milky Cleanser with 2% PHA
NeutrogenaSkin Balancing Milky Cleanser with 2% PHA
Find on Amazon

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

Find on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.