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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Naturium Salicylic Acid Serum 2% versus Neutrogena Stubborn Blackheads Daily Acne Serum .

Published on October 27, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain BHA

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing

Free From

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

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

Serum American Brand United States
Serum American Brand United States

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy Salicylic Acid Serum 2%

Starts at $20.49
Shop

Buy Stubborn Blackheads Daily Acne Serum

Starts at $16.99

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant 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

Notable Ingredients

BHA

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin
Reduces Large Pores
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

AHA (2)
BHA
PHA

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin (2)
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores (3)
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (2)
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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.

1
What it does: Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.

Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.

Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.

It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.

In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.

While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.

If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.

Learn more about Salicylic Acid

Naturium Salicylic Acid Serum 2% contains this as ingredient number 1.

Neutrogena Stubborn Blackheads Daily Acne Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
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

Naturium Salicylic Acid Serum 2% contains this as ingredient number 2.

Neutrogena Stubborn Blackheads Daily Acne Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
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

Naturium Salicylic Acid Serum 2% contains this as ingredient number 12.

Neutrogena Stubborn Blackheads Daily Acne Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.

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

46% are loved or liked
15% have mixed ratings
31% are disliked or very disliked
8% have no rating yet
38% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
46% are disliked or very disliked
8% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Naturium Salicylic Acid Serum 2% 13 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 review
MichelleR's Avatar'
Apr 22, 2024

I typically use Salicylic Acid made by Paula’s Choice (2% BHA Gel and 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliants). It’s interesting, that even though I already have two other Sal Acid products in my regimen, I believe there is a place for this one as...

I typically use Salicylic Acid made by Paula’s Choice (2% BHA Gel and 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliants). It’s interesting, that even though I already have two other Sal Acid products in my regimen, I believe there is a place for this one as well.

I use the 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant at night when I am having breakouts and need to leave a sort of gentle Sal Acid layer on overnight, to purge my skin.
I use the 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant more like a toner. A stronger toner for when I need to exfoliate dead skin cells.

This Naturium product is a perfect median of both products. Its not thick, and doesn’t leave a layer on my skin. It absorbs quickly, but isn’t terribly thin like a toner.

I’ve only just added this to my regimen, but I think it will have a place in my day routine underneath my sunscreen.

More to follow!

Great Value
Light
Absorbs Well
No Scent
Works Well

Neutrogena Stubborn Blackheads Daily Acne Serum 13 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 1 review
bsabrina's Avatar'
Apr 22, 2023

great spot treatment
this absolutely will help flatten really large under-the-skin pimples, but I find it to be too drying and irritating to use all over the face. People with sensitive skin be careful! this BURNED my skin. luckily I...

great spot treatment
this absolutely will help flatten really large under-the-skin pimples, but I find it to be too drying and irritating to use all over the face. People with sensitive skin be careful! this BURNED my skin. luckily I didn't experience any breakouts using this. also, the smell is SO strong. this helps a lot with sebaceous filaments too

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Naturium Salicylic Acid Serum 2%.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 26 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Neutrogena Stubborn Blackheads Daily Acne Serum.

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