Neutrogena Rapid Clear Acne Defense Oil-Free Face Lotion Versus Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Face Gel Hydrator
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientDimethicone PEG-8 Beeswax
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingHydrogenated Palm Glycerides
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSarcosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPropylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
AntimicrobialBisabolol
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCedrus Atlantica Bark Extract
PerfumingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Dimethicone PEG-8 Beeswax, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Capryloyl Glycine, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sarcosine, Sodium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylamide
Cetearyl Olivate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
Buffering
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeSodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water