Neutrogena

Neutrogena Stubborn Body Acne Cleanser and Exfoliator

Name: Neutrogena - Stubborn Body Acne Cleanser and Exfoliator
Brand: Neutrogena

Efficacy100/100IrritancyLow·

See all ingredients

Works for

Cleansing

Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine

Cleanses gently

What the product description says

“Stubborn Body Acne Cleanser and Exfoliator”

Source: Neutrogena

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate) 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 c14-16 olefin sulfonate

Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skin~11–16%

Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaineEffect: HighUsed as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix together~5.8–8.7%

Exfoliation

Gluconolactone, Salicylic acid

Works well

What the product description says

“Stubborn Body Acne Cleanser and Exfoliator”

Source: Neutrogena

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, salicylic acid.

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~1.6–2.4%

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%

Anti-blemish

Salicylic acid, Gluconolactone

Works well

What the product description says

“Prevent acne and breakouts with Neutrogena’s Stubborn Acne Body Wash.”

Source: Neutrogena

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: gluconolactone

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%

GluconolactoneKey activeEffect: MediumA 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~1.6–2.4%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

5 flagged ingredients

Low risk

We flag 5 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

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)High1%

Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonateHelps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skinHigh~11–16%est.

Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaineUsed as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix togetherMedium~5.8–8.7%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~1.6–2.4%est.

Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.15–0.65%est.

Comedogenic

Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients

None flagged

Alternatives

Cheaper, or higher on efficacy

Naturium THE PERFECTOR SALICYLIC ACID BODY WASH

Cheaper71% match

$6.00

Prequel TRAVEL GLEANSER + SA

Cheaper64% match

$6.00

View all alternatives

User reviews

Would you recommend?

100%·yes

1 of 1 community members would buy it again.

100% would0% wouldn't

nin· Oct 2024Recommends
Helped me with back acne. I also use it on my face.
Stripping feel
Not stripping
Makeup removal
Removes light makeup
Foam
Light foam
Smell
No smell

What reviewers noticed

Marker shows the average response

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Salicylic acid1%

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

Water~40–60%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate~11–16%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skin

More about Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate

Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine~5.8–8.7%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Cleansing

Used as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix together

More about Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine

Sorbitol~2.8–4.1%

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

Gluconolactone~1.6–2.4%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-agingEvens skin toneExfoliationAnti-oxidationAnti-blemish

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

Sodium hydroxide~0.55–1.3%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide

Potassium acrylates copolymer~0.4–0.9%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Potassium acrylates copolymer

Disodium edta~0.15–0.65%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta

Ingredient list view

Salicylic acid, Water, Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, Sorbitol, Gluconolactone, Sodium hydroxide, Potassium acrylates copolymer, Disodium edta

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/7 09:24 GMT

$15.98

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Neutrogena8.5 Fl. Oz

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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
	NeutrogenaStubborn Body Acne Cleanser and ExfoliatorYOUR PRODUCT	CeraVeRenewing SA Cleanser	NaturiumTHE PERFECTOR SALICYLIC ACID BODY WASH	Transparent LabPHA Soft Peeling Cleanser
Match	—	86%	71%	68%
Price	$15.98	$15.99	$6.00−$9.98	—
Shared key ingredients	—	3 of 4	2 of 4	2 of 4
Key difference	—	Niacinamide	Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil	Glycerin
Irritancy	Low	Low	Low	Low
Drying alcohol	—	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop