Neutrogena Acne Proofing Gel Cleanser - US Versus Neutrogena Deep Clean Cream Cleanser
Updated on February 01, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 4 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 and reducing pores
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
Neutrogena Acne Proofing Gel Cleanser 15 ingredients
Neutrogena Deep Clean Cream Cleanser 13 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Neutrogena Acne Proofing Gel Cleanser 15 ingredients
Neutrogena Deep Clean Cream Cleanser 13 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hydrolyzed Potato Starch Dodecenylsuccinate
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Benzalkonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Sodium Hydrolyzed Potato Starch Dodecenylsuccinate, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Panthenol, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Disodium EDTA, Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Benzalkonium Chloride
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AcidWater. 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 WaterParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumDisodium 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
Neutrogena Acne Proofing Gel Cleanser 15 ingredients
Neutrogena Deep Clean Cream Cleanser 13 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Neutrogena Acne Proofing Gel Cleanser 15 ingredients
Neutrogena Deep Clean Cream Cleanser 13 ingredients
Love!
Used this on and off for a year or so, and never had any issues with it!
May be good for someone but not for me. The cream cleanser is thick and spreads really nicely and it does have a tingly sensation afterwards that feels like clean and fresh. My skin overall is dry, however my face is oilier and more along the lines of normal to combination sensitive skin, like very sensitive. This product does contain Salicylic Acid but with no percentage listed. The tingly Show more
