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Updated on September 11, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 1 ingredients in common

Free From

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

Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment
Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment
Facial Treatment
American Brand United States
Lion Pair Acne Cream W
Lion Pair Acne Cream W
Facial Treatment
Japanese Brand Japan

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
On-the-Spot Acne Treatment
Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl Peroxide IconHelps fight Acne IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon
Benzoyl PeroxideBenzoyl Peroxide Icon Helps fight AcneHelps fight Acne Icon 4 Concerns

Benzoyl Peroxide is famous for fighting acne. This is because it does a variety of tasks on the skin: it helps reduce excess oil, kill bacteria, and clear out dead skin cells. In other words, it is effective at unclogging pores.

Disliked Full details ->
Water 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.

Carbomer Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming
1 / 0

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

1 Com. / 0 Irr.
Disliked Full details ->
Ethylhexylglycerin Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

Sodium Hydroxide 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.

Chlorphenesin Antimicrobial, Preservative
Preservative Icon
PreservativePreservative Icon

Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.

Disliked Full details ->
Disodium EDTA

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

Disliked Full details ->
Laureth-4 Emulsifying, Masking
5 / 4 May worsen Oily Skin Icon
May worsen Oily SkinMay worsen Oily Skin Icon

Laureth-4 is created by reacting ethylene oxide with Lauryl Alcohol. It is a surfactant and emulsifier.

5 Com. / 4 Irr.
Unknown Full details ->
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Emulsion Stabilising

This ingredient is a semi-synthetic polymer created from cellulose. In case you need a refresher, cellulose is the main component of plant cell walls.

Unknown Full details ->
Pair Acne Cream W
Ibuprofen Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Ibuprofen.

Unknown Full details ->
Isopropyl-Methylphenetole Perfuming
Fragrance Icon
FragranceFragrance Icon

Isopropyl-Methylphenetole is a fragrance.

Unknown Full details ->
Stearyl Alcohol Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising
2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol Icon
Fatty AlcoholFatty Alcohol Icon

Stearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients.

2 Com. / 2 Irr.
Very Disliked Full details ->
Polysorbate 60 Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Disodium EDTA

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

Disliked Full details ->
Sodium Paraben Preservative
Preservative IconParaben Icon
PreservativePreservative Icon ParabenParaben Icon

Sodium Paraben is a preservative and is a paraben.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Isopropanolamine Buffering

We don't have a description for Isopropanolamine.

Unknown Full details ->
Octyldodecanol Emollient, Masking

Octyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol. It is primarily used to enhance the texture of products.

Disliked Full details ->
Butylene Glycol Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
1 / 0

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

1 Com. / 0 Irr.
Polyvinylalcohol Crosspolymer

We don't have a description for Polyvinylalcohol Crosspolymer.

Unknown Full details ->
Parfum Masking, Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon
FragranceFragrance Icon 2 Concerns

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Disliked

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

Ingredient Ratings

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

On-the-Spot Acne Treatment
1
2
4
2
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated
Pair Acne Cream W
1
6
4
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated

When to use

95 Routines
41% use in am
59% use in pm
76% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
188 Routines
36% use in am
64% use in pm
65% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment 9 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 1 rating
Great Value (1) Light (1) Works Well (1)
gofofnglv's avatar

gofofnglv

4 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

BP spot treatment that isn’t too drying. Works well.

Lion Pair Acne Cream W 11 ingredients

4.4 /5
from 9 ratings
Great Value (4) Absorbs Well (4) Works Well (3)
skinogre's avatar

skinogre

2 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

I have been using this product for 3 months now, since March.
What did this product do?
- when applied directly to spots and emerging breakouts,...

I have been using this product for 3 months now, since March.
What did this product do?
- when applied directly to spots and emerging breakouts, it immediately reduces their sebum retention and made them stop swelling
- ibroprophen in the product makes swelling from large nasty cysts stop being painful when you touch it within a few hours
- dried out puss and sebum filled spots so they’re easily glided off with an oil cleaner
How I’d use it:
I’d usually apply this directly to my individual spots, it’s my alternative to a pimple patch and the reason why I prefer this is because the ibroprophen also numbs the pain of any acne on my face.
Things to be wary about:
- This hasn’t happens for me but I have heard that others found the ibroprophen basically became useless on their skin after using it so much users built immunity to its healing properties, although after 3 months of applying it whenever I get a spot I have yet to see this happen to me.
- I noticed that personally if I apply more than a dash of it, it can make the skin a little too coarse on the area you placed it on as if you have been exfoliating it, you know that skin tension that you get when your skin has had harsh chemicals on it

In conclusion, I adore this acne spot cream, I’ve heard people use of it as a lotion or a mask but personally I believe it to be a little to harsh for that, but maybe I’ll try it, I think it’s a really unique acne cream and I know this is going to last me a minimum of 2 years because of how little I use in comparison to the packaging, it’s cute, I struggle a lot with forehead acne and the occasional spots appearing on my under eyes, nose and chin. I put this on my skin overnight and wake up with no more swelling, aching and sometimes the entire pimple is gone. It’s like a pimple patch solution without the sealant sheet over it. I recommend this as it serves a purpose beyond just treating your acne, it also nullifies the pain. The only reason when I do have a clear forehead is because of my exfoliants combined with this treasure that eliminates the smallest sign of a spot that comes my way

SkylerMikalson's avatar

SkylerMikalson

2 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

This is the most effective spot treatment I've found.

I waited to try it for a long time as I was put off by the inclusion of fragrance, but...

This is the most effective spot treatment I've found.

I waited to try it for a long time as I was put off by the inclusion of fragrance, but I've found it is worth it despite fragrance in the formulation. If your issue with fragrance is just the smell and not any potential sensitization, I don't find this to have any noticeable smell. I do find that if I apply a concentrated dot in the same spot multiple times, it can start to be slightly burn-y, but I'm not sure if that's because of the actives or because of the fragrance. Regardless, I would feel more comfortable if this was reformulated as totally fragrance free.

Nonetheless, I'm rating it five stars for it's unique effectiveness due to the uniqueness of its actives. you're not gonna find those in any other product