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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Neutrogena Skin Polishing Acne Cleanser versus Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control Power-Cream Wash .

Published on May 12, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 19 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA and BHA

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain common allergens and fragrances

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Face Cleanser American Brand United States
Face Cleanser American Brand United States

Face Cleanser

Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).

Face Cleanser

Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).

Price

Shop

Buy Skin Polishing Acne Cleanser

Shop

Buy Oil Free Acne Stress Control Power-Cream Wash

Starts at $8.99

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

AHA
BHA

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (4)
Eczema (3)

Notable Ingredients

AHA
BHA

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying
Irritating (4)
Rosacea (4)
Eczema (3)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Salicylic 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 Acid

Neutrogena Skin Polishing Acne Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 1.

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control Power-Cream Wash contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Neutrogena Skin Polishing Acne Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 2.

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control Power-Cream Wash contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.

Cetyl Alcohol is not related to SD alcohol, denatured alcohol, or ethyl alcohol. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

Neutrogena Skin Polishing Acne Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 3.

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control Power-Cream Wash contains this as ingredient number 3.

4
What it does: Emollient
Community Rating: Very Disliked

We don't have a description for Ppg-15 Stearyl Ether.

Neutrogena Skin Polishing Acne Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 4.

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control Power-Cream Wash contains this as ingredient number 4.

5
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Loved

Glycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with research to back up its benefits. Its main role is to peel the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Glycolic Acid has shown to boost collage production, a protein that helps skin stay firm. Overall, Glycolic Acid helps with improving uneven tone, rough patches of skin, fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. It also increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.

When applying Glycolic Acid, it is normal to feel slight stinging. The pH value and concentration of glycolic acid play a role in the effectiveness of the product.

Recent studies have shown Glycolic Acid may protect the skin against UV damage. However, you should always wear SPF, especially when using exfoliants.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Glycolic Acid

Neutrogena Skin Polishing Acne Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 5.

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control Power-Cream Wash contains this as ingredient number 5.

6
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

Neutrogena Skin Polishing Acne Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 6.

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control Power-Cream Wash contains this as ingredient number 6.

7
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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.

Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.

In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.

Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.

Learn more about Polysorbate 60

Neutrogena Skin Polishing Acne Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 7.

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control Power-Cream Wash contains this as ingredient number 8.

8
What it does: Cleansing, Emulsifying

We don't have a description for Steareth-21.

Neutrogena Skin Polishing Acne Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 8.

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control Power-Cream Wash contains this as ingredient number 7.

9
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for C12-15 Alkyl Lactate.

Neutrogena Skin Polishing Acne Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 9.

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control Power-Cream Wash contains this as ingredient number 9.

10
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Cetyl Lactate.

Neutrogena Skin Polishing Acne Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 10.

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control Power-Cream Wash contains this as ingredient number 10.

11
What it does: Emulsifying

Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is the potassium salt of a mixture. This mixture consists of the esters from phosphoricacid and cetyl alcohol.

Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.

As a cleansing agent, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate helps gather oils, dirts, and pollutants from your skin. This makes it easier to rinse them away with water.

Learn more about Potassium Cetyl Phosphate

Neutrogena Skin Polishing Acne Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 11.

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control Power-Cream Wash contains this as ingredient number 11.

12
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

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 Hydroxide

Neutrogena Skin Polishing Acne Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 12.

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control Power-Cream Wash contains this as ingredient number 12.

13
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

Neutrogena Skin Polishing Acne Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 13.

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control Power-Cream Wash contains this as ingredient number 15.

We don't have a description for Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate.

Neutrogena Skin Polishing Acne Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 14.

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control Power-Cream Wash contains this as ingredient number 14.

15
What it does:
Community Rating: 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

Neutrogena Skin Polishing Acne Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 15.

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control Power-Cream Wash contains this as ingredient number 16.

16
What it does: Masking, Refreshing
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Menthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.

Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.

Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Menthol

Neutrogena Skin Polishing Acne Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 16.

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control Power-Cream Wash contains this as ingredient number 17.

17
What it does: Masking, Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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

In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'. The term '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. One example is Calendula flower extract. Essential oil ingredients still impart a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, it can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Products use parfum often to give products a scent or cover up smells of different ingredients.

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 Parfum

Neutrogena Skin Polishing Acne Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 17.

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control Power-Cream Wash contains this as ingredient number 13.

18
What it does: Antimicrobial, Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Benzalkonium Chloride is a preservative. It can cause irritation and worsen eczema.

Neutrogena Skin Polishing Acne Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 18.

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control Power-Cream Wash contains this as ingredient number 18.

19
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Panthenol (also referred to as pro-vitamin B5) is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin.

lt is a humectant, meaning that it helps the skin attract and retain moisture.

Another benefit is the anti-inflammatory abilities. This means that it's great for sensitive, irritation-prone skin.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

Learn more about Panthenol

Neutrogena Skin Polishing Acne Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 19.

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control Power-Cream Wash contains this as ingredient number 19.

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

26% are loved or liked
5% have mixed ratings
42% are disliked or very disliked
26% have no rating yet
32% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
36% are disliked or very disliked
24% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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