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Neutrogena Visibly Clear Rapid Clear Spot Treatment
Neutrogena

Neutrogena Visibly Clear Rapid Clear Spot Treatment

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium
See all ingredients

Works for

Anti-blemish
Salicylic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“Visibly Clear Rapid Clear Spot Treatment”
From product name

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.

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)2%
Exfoliation
Not advertised by the brand · Salicylic acid
Works well

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: salicylic acid.

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)2%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Parfum
Medium risk
We flagged 7 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
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)High2%
Alcohol denat.Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve productsHigh~12–15%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.8–1.15%est.
Benzalkonium chlorideHelps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agent (detergent). Also used as a preservative. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.1%est.
Ppg-5-ceteth-20A solvent with some emollient propertiesMedium~3.4–4.1%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~1.8–2.2%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.05–0.1%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged
Alternatives
Cheaper, or higher on efficacy
Dual action
Clean & Clear Dual action
Cheaper87% match
$3.13
Superdrug Deep Action Pore Refining Lotion
Deep Action Superdrug Deep Action Pore Refining Lotion
Cheaper79% match
$5.35
View all alternatives

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Salicylic acid2%
Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
ExfoliationAnti-blemishAnti-inflammatoryAntibacterialEvens 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~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Alcohol denat.~12–15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products

More about Alcohol denat.
Butylene glycol~5.9–7.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Butylene glycol
Ppg-5-ceteth-20~3.4–4.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

A solvent with some emollient properties

More about Ppg-5-ceteth-20
C12-15 alkyl lactate~2.9–3.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about C12-15 alkyl lactate
Sodium citrate~1.8–2.2%
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
Cocamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate~1.3–1.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Cocamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate
Parfum~0.8–1.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Peg/ppg-20/6 dimethicone~0.65–0.95%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A type of silicone. Helps create a nice product texture and can help soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Peg/ppg-20/6 dimethicone
Sodium hydroxide~0.45–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Benzalkonium chloride~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agent (detergent). Also used as a preservative. Can be irritating

More about Benzalkonium chloride
Cetyl lactate~0.25–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Cetyl lactate
Disodium edta~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Ingredient list view

Salicylic acid, Water, Alcohol denat., Butylene glycol, Ppg-5-ceteth-20, C12-15 alkyl lactate, Sodium citrate, Cocamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate, Parfum, Peg/ppg-20/6 dimethicone, Sodium hydroxide, Benzalkonium chloride, Cetyl lactate, Disodium edta

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/6 12:10 GMT
$8.97
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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
NeutrogenaVisibly Clear Rapid Clear Spot TreatmentYOUR PRODUCTPhilosophyClear Days Ahead Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment & MoisturizerBiodermaSebium Mattifying LotionProactivComplexion Perfecting Hydrator
Match—95%93%91%
Price$8.97$46.00+$37.03$20.35+$11.38$38.03+$29.06
Shared key ingredients—1 of 11 of 11 of 1
Key difference—DimethiconeGlycerinAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Irritancy Medium Low Low Medium
Drying alcohol Contains drying alcohol ———
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More alternatives: MG217 Salicylic Acid Formula CreamPaula's choice PC4Men Soothe + Smooth

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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 5 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
  3. 3
    A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
  4. 4
    Glycolic Acid Peels Versus Salicylic–Mandelic Acid Peels in Active Acne Vulgaris and Post‐Acne Scarring and Hyperpigmentation: A Comparative Studyonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  5. 5
    Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Neutrogena Visibly Clear Rapid Clear Spot Treatment
NeutrogenaVisibly Clear Rapid Clear Spot Treatment
Buy on Amazon$8.97 · as of 11/6 12:10 GMT

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

Buy on Amazon$8.97 · as of 11/6 12:10 GMT

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.