Neutrogena Rapid Clear 2-in-1 Fight & Fade Toner Versus Neutrogena RAPID CLEAR® Spot Gel
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 9 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, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols, fragrances and 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 Rapid Clear 2-in-1 Fight & Fade Toner 18 ingredients
Neutrogena RAPID CLEAR® Spot Gel 29 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Neutrogena Rapid Clear 2-in-1 Fight & Fade Toner 18 ingredients
Neutrogena RAPID CLEAR® Spot Gel 29 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingC12-15 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingParfum
Masking
Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
PEG/PPG-20/6 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Cetyl Lactate
EmollientBenzalkonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycolic Acid
Buffering
CI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Sodium Citrate, Parfum, Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, PEG/PPG-20/6 Dimethicone, Cetyl Lactate, Benzalkonium Chloride, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycolic Acid, CI 15985, CI 16035
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Ammonia
Buffering
Benzalkonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientC13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingCedrus Atlantica Bark Extract
Perfuming
Cetyl Lactate
EmollientCinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Phenethyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyacrylamide
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
PPG-2 Isoceteth-20 Acetate
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Sarcosine
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid 2%, Alcohol, Alcohol Denat., Ammonia, Benzalkonium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Capryloyl Glycine, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Extract, Cetyl Lactate, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Glycerin, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Laureth-7, Parfum, Phenethyl Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylamide, Polysorbate 20, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, PPG-2 Isoceteth-20 Acetate, Propylene Glycol, Sarcosine, Tetrasodium EDTA, Water
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Benzalkonium Chloride is a preservative. It can cause irritation and worsen eczema.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolWe don't have a description for C12-15 Alkyl Lactate yet.
We don't have a description for Cetyl Lactate yet.
We don't have a description for Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate yet.
Parfum 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 ParfumSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
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 this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Neutrogena Rapid Clear 2-in-1 Fight & Fade Toner 18 ingredients
Neutrogena RAPID CLEAR® Spot Gel 29 ingredients
Reviews
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