Neutrogena Clear & Defend + Facial Wash Versus Neutrogena Clear & Defend Facial Wash
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens or silicones
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 Clear & Defend + Facial Wash 14 ingredients
Neutrogena Clear & Defend Facial Wash 18 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Neutrogena Clear & Defend + Facial Wash 14 ingredients
Neutrogena Clear & Defend Facial Wash 18 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hydrolyzed Potato Starch Dodecenylsuccinate
C12-15 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Disodium Tetrapropenyl Succinate
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Benzalkonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Parfum
Masking
Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydrolyzed Potato Starch Dodecenylsuccinate, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Panthenol, Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Disodium Tetrapropenyl Succinate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sodium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Benzalkonium Chloride, Parfum
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 WaterCocamidopropyl 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.
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 HydroxideSalicylic 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 AcidChances 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 EDTACitric 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 AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Neutrogena Clear & Defend + Facial Wash 14 ingredients
Neutrogena Clear & Defend Facial Wash 18 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Neutrogena Clear & Defend + Facial Wash 14 ingredients
Broke me out and dried my skin. Skincare companies stop putting acne triggering ingredients in acne washes please.
(for context i have very dry sensitive-ish acne prone skin) triggered my rosacea, dried out my face, and dehydrated it. also has a very strong alcohol smell.
Neutrogena Clear & Defend Facial Wash 18 ingredients
It worked for me and brightened my skin
I used this last year (stopped now since i have a new routine for tretinoin) and this cleanser was the besttt.
My only skincare was this, a cheap alovera gel and bioderma sunscreen and my skin was glowing✨
It did help with my acne, acne marks and hyperpigmentation in general which is so good from just one single product.
Will buy again when my skin calm down from tretinoin but i think i will Show more
