Neutrogena Visibly Clear Spot Stress Scrub
Works for
ExfoliationGlycolic acid, Salicylic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“The NEUTROGENA VISIBLY CLEAR® Spot Stress Control Daily Scrub gently exfoliates skin whilst the powerful Microclear® technology unclogs pores allowing the formula to penetrate deep down and help clear spots.”
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.
Anti-blemishSalicylic acid, Glycolic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“The NEUTROGENA VISIBLY CLEAR® Spot Stress Control Daily Scrub gently exfoliates skin whilst the powerful Microclear® technology unclogs pores allowing the formula to penetrate deep down and help clear spots.”
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
Anti-agingSide benefit · Glycolic acid, Camellia sinensis leaf extract + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains glycolic acid.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Glycolic acid, Salicylic acid + 2 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic acid, salicylic acid
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Cucumis sativus fruit extractMay help
This product contains antioxidants (camellia sinensis leaf extract) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Cetyl alcohol, Glycerin + 6 moreWorks
“More Product Information”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: cera microcristallina, jojoba esters.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Menthyl lactate, ParfumMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Cetyl alcohol~4.9–7.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholPpg-15 stearyl ether~3.9–5.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Help soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Ppg-15 stearyl etherGlycerin~2.7–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 GlycerinGlycolic acid~2–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
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 acidJojoba esters~1.8–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function
More about Jojoba estersPolysorbate 60~1.5–2.2%
Salicylic acid~0.95–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
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 acidSteareth-21~1.1–1.7%
C12-15 alkyl lactate~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium hydroxide~0.55–1.25%
Benzalkonium chloride~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agent (detergent). Also used as a preservative. Can be irritating
More about Benzalkonium chlorideCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractCucumis sativus fruit extract~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect
More about Cucumis sativus fruit extractLactic acid~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidMenthyl lactate~0.35–0.8%
Cetyl lactate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cocamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Potassium cetyl phosphate~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateCera microcristallina~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss from its surface and create a thicker product consistency
More about Cera microcristallinaXanthan gum~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium chloride~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideSodium benzotriazolyl butylphenol sulfonate~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps protect the ingredients in the formulation against UV light
More about Sodium benzotriazolyl butylphenol sulfonateCitric acid~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidBht~0.1–0.35%
Parfum~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumCi 77289~0.05–0.25%
Ci 42090~0.05–0.2%
Ci 19140~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Cetyl alcohol, Ppg-15 stearyl ether, Glycerin, Glycolic acid, Jojoba esters, Polysorbate 60, Salicylic acid, Steareth-21, C12-15 alkyl lactate, Sodium hydroxide, Benzalkonium chloride, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Lactic acid, Menthyl lactate, Cetyl lactate, Cocamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Cera microcristallina, Xanthan gum, Sodium chloride, Sodium benzotriazolyl butylphenol sulfonate, Citric acid, Bht, Parfum, Ci 77289, Ci 42090, Ci 19140
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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.
| NeutrogenaVisibly Clear Spot Stress ScrubYOUR PRODUCT | Deviant SkincareGentle Resurfacing Liquid | CeraVeBlemish Control Gel Moisturiser with 2% Salicylic Acid & Niacinamide for Blemish-Prone Skin | Jan MariniMarini Multi-Acid Exfoliating Pads | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 89% | 87% | 85% |
| Price | — | $52.00 | $11.89 | $95.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 7 | 4 of 7 | 5 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Gluconolactone | Niacinamide | Sodium Hyaluronate |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Glossier SolutionKerstin Florian Correcting At-Home Professional Peel 50 pc
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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