Neutrogena Clear & Defend + Facial Wash Versus Neutrogena Clear & Soothe Mousse Cleanser
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens or silicones
What's Inside
They both contain 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
Neutrogena Clear & Defend + Facial Wash 14 ingredients
Neutrogena Clear & Soothe Mousse Cleanser 21 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 & Soothe Mousse Cleanser 21 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Hydrolyzed Potato Starch Dodecenylsuccinate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCurcuma Longa Callus Extract
Skin ProtectingLinoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Potassium Acrylates Copolymer
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium Tetrapropenyl Succinate
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Disodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
CI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Hydrolyzed Potato Starch Dodecenylsuccinate, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Curcuma Longa Callus Extract, Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Potassium Acrylates Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Disodium Tetrapropenyl Succinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, CI 15985
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 WaterSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a cleansing agent made from a mixture of long chain sulfonate salts. It can also help produce foam.
This ingredient may be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
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 HydroxideSodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a sulfate with surfactant properties.
The surfactant property make it a great foam creator and cleansing agent. Surfactants help bind ingredients that normally do not mix.
Some studies have shown skin irritation due to prolonged SLS use.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a milder version of SLS.
Learn more about Sodium Lauryl SulfateChances 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 ChlorideWe don't have a description for Potassium Acrylates Copolymer yet.
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 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 & Soothe Mousse Cleanser 21 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.
