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Neutrogena Acne Proofing Gel Cleanser - US Versus Neutrogena Stubborn Texture Daily Cleanser

Face Cleanser
Face Cleanser
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on March 17, 2024

Overview

What they are

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

Cool Features

They both contain BHA

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning

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
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Cleansing, Skin Conditioning

Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is a synthetic cleansing agent, though it is derived from coconut oil.

It is used to enhance the texture of products by boosting lather and thickening the texture. As a cleanser, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is mild.

Buffering

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

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

When to use

8 Routines
50% use in am
50% use in pm
100% use every day
167 Routines
46% use in am
54% use in pm
90% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Neutrogena Acne Proofing Gel Cleanser 15 ingredients

Acne Proofing Gel Cleanser hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Neutrogena Stubborn Texture Daily Cleanser 10 ingredients

2.0 /5
from 3 ratings
Doesn't Work (1) Drying (1) Heavy (1)
chinkinbeef's avatar

chikin —beef

9 months ago
Review

NOT for beginners( -- when i first started skincare, i had oily skin and frequent breakouts,
I remember using this cleanser daily and it tore apart my skin barrier so bad where i couldn't touch my face...
(there was excessive peeling on my face bc of this so I couldn't tell if my skin had changed)

MORAL OF THE STORY START ON LOW CONCENTRATIONS& SLOWLY INTRODUCE ACTIVES TO UR ROUTINE ;crying;

#drying
#strong scent
#works well
aca's avatar

aca

6 months ago
Review

Hasn't done anything for my acne or improved skin texture. Needs a metric ton of water on face or on hands to foam up properly otherwise is a sticky, thick and spotty mess on your face that can’t be lathered. Probably works fine to cleanse excess oil off face but doesn’t do anything apart from that

#heavy
#sticky
#light scent
#doesn't work