Cosmica Face Scrub Cleansing Scrub Versus Neutrogena Blackhead Eliminating Salicylic Acid Daily Face Scrub
This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Lactic Acid to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin.
This acne exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and refine the look of pores.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningBambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-12
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCeteareth-6
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantStearic Acid
CleansingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSalicylic Acid 2%
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientPolyethylene
AbrasiveMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantSteareth-21
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingSteareth-2
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingLinoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientMenthol
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingAgar
MaskingMica
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Cetyl Alcohol, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Polyethylene, Methyl Gluceth-20, Steareth-21, Coco-Glucoside, Steareth-2, Polysorbate 60, Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Menthol, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Agar, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, CI 15850, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholWater. 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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water