CeraVe Acne Control Gel Versus Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of CeraVe Acne Control Gel versus Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on February 05, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens or silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

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CeraVe Acne Control Gel

Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment

Facial Treatment Canadian Brand Canada

Facial Treatment American Brand United States

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Price

Shop

Buy Acne Control Gel

Starts at $16.01

Shop

Buy On-the-Spot Acne Treatment

Starts at $8.27

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

CeraVe Acne Control Gel 24 ingredients

Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment 9 ingredients

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

CeraVe Acne Control Gel 24 ingredients

Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment 9 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

AHA (2)

BHA

Niacinamide

Ceramides (3)

Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (5)

Good For Oily Skin (3)

Redness Reducing (5)

Reduces Irritation (3)

Skin Texture (2)

Reduces Large Pores (4)

Anti-Aging (5)

Dark Spots (3)

Scar Healing (3)

Acne Fighting (2)

Brightening (5)

Concerns

Drying

May Worsen Oily Skin

Acne Trigger

Irritating (3)

Rosacea (3)

Eczema (3)

Notable Ingredients

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benefits

Acne Fighting

Concerns

Drying

May Worsen Oily Skin

Irritating

Rosacea

Eczema

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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

CeraVe Acne Control Gel 24 ingredients

Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment 9 ingredients

Salicylic Acid 2% • Water • Glycerin • Sodium Hydroxide • Glycolic Acid • Lactic Acid • Niacinamide • Ceramide NP • Ceramide AP • Ceramide EOP • Carbomer • Cetearyl Alcohol • Behentrimonium Methosulfate • Triethyl Citrate • Sodium Hyaluronate • Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate • Cholesterol • Chlorphenesin • Disodium EDTA • Hydroxypropyl Guar • Caprylyl Glycol • Xanthan Gum • Phytosphingosine • Benzoic Acid

Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% • Water • Carbomer • Ethylhexylglycerin • Sodium Hydroxide • Chlorphenesin • Disodium EDTA • Laureth-4 • Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Water

What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Community Rating: Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

CeraVe Acne Control Gel contains this as ingredient number 2.

Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment contains this as ingredient number 2.

Sodium Hydroxide

What it does: Buffering

Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide

CeraVe Acne Control Gel contains this as ingredient number 4.

Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment contains this as ingredient number 5.

Carbomer

What it does: Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Community Rating: Disliked

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.

CeraVe Acne Control Gel contains this as ingredient number 11.

Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment contains this as ingredient number 3.

Chlorphenesin

What it does: Antimicrobial, Preservative

Community Rating: Disliked

Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.

Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.

Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.

Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.

Learn more about Chlorphenesin

CeraVe Acne Control Gel contains this as ingredient number 18.

Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment contains this as ingredient number 6.

Disodium EDTA

What it does:

Community Rating: Disliked

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA

CeraVe Acne Control Gel contains this as ingredient number 19.

Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment contains this as ingredient number 7.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

CeraVe Acne Control Gel 24 ingredients

Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment 9 ingredients

58% are loved or liked

4% have mixed ratings

33% are disliked or very disliked

4% have no rating yet

11% are loved or liked

22% have mixed ratings

44% are disliked or very disliked

22% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

CeraVe Acne Control Gel 24 ingredients

Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment 9 ingredients

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

CeraVe Acne Control Gel 24 ingredients

3.4 /5

from 5 reviews

Review by ab666

Sep 25, 2023

help
I don't know what exactly happened, whether I mixed it with other products whose ingredients didn't go well with those in this gel, but this thing made my skin purge. I might have overused it as well, since I know nothing about...

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1 like