Curology Cleanser Versus Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Cream to Foam Cleanser
Updated on September 16, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and sensitive skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Curology Cleanser 24 ingredients
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Cream to Foam Cleanser 19 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Curology Cleanser 24 ingredients
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Cream to Foam Cleanser 19 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAcrylates Copolymer
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingXylitylglucoside
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCoco-Glucoside
CleansingAnhydroxylitol
HumectantStearic Acid
Cleansing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Coconut Alcohol
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Emulsifying
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
Masking
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Disodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Avena Sativa Leaf Extract
AstringentWater, Acrylates Copolymer, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Xylitylglucoside, Propanediol, Coco-Glucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Stearic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xylitol, Panthenol, Coconut Alcohol, Citric Acid, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Avena Sativa Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Sodium Hydrolyzed Potato Starch Dodecenylsuccinate
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Acrylates Copolymer, Palmitic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Hydrolyzed Potato Starch Dodecenylsuccinate, Stearic Acid, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterAcrylates Copolymer is used as a film-forming agent and texture enhancer.
After applied, Acrylates Copolymer forms a thin film cover that helps skin feel more soft. It can help sunscreens become more water-resistant.
It is also used to make a product more thick.
Learn more about Acrylates CopolymerSodium cocoyl isethionate is a natural ingredient from coconut oil. It is an ultra gentle cleanser that gives a nice foam without drying the skin or impacting the skin barrier.
The amount of foam created depends on the amount of sodium cocoyl isethionate used in the product.
This ingredient also helps improve the spreadability of a product.
Learn more about Sodium Cocoyl IsethionateStearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.
As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.
Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.
Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinSodium 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 HydroxideChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideDisodium 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 EDTAIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Curology Cleanser 24 ingredients
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Cream to Foam Cleanser 19 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Curology Cleanser 24 ingredients
Didn't feel like this was very effective, even if it didn't feel too drying. The consistency was unsatisfying, kind of like I was just rubbing it around. Come to find out it's got some irritating ingredients. Seriously, why does a skin care company with an entire prescription system and haughty prices have such bad ingredients? Is it an American thing? Consumers need to start being more informed Show more
The best cleanser
This is the best cleanser I’ve ever tried. It removes makeup, sunscreen, and oil without feeling drying. Using it with the curology treatment and moisturizer cleared my acne.
