Versus

Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser Versus Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Oil-Free Acne Wash

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

Updated on January 07, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens or silicones

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant 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

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser
Pink Grapefruit Oil-Free Acne Wash

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

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.

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 Water

Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate is used to improve texture and stability of a product. It is sugar based and helps thicken a product.

Once applied, it also creates a thin film to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated.

This ingredient is the polyethylene glycol ether of the diester of oleic acid and methylglucose. The 120 represents an average of 120 moles of ethylene oxide.

There is limited research on this ingredient, although it is considered safe to use in skincare products.

Learn more about PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying

Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.

As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.

Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.

The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.

Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polysorbate 20
Buffering, Masking

Citric 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 Acid
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.

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

When to use

151 Routines
47% use in am
53% use in pm
94% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
126 Routines
44% use in am
56% use in pm
86% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser 34 ingredients

3.7 /5
from 3 ratings
Expensive (1) Great Value (1) Hydrating (1)
kiaraanderson's avatar

Kiara Anderson

2 months ago
Review

I have been using this cleanser for over 5 years now, and every time I try a new cleanser my skin breaks out! It takes makeup off great and feels so great on the skin

#great value
#expensive
#hydrating
#light scent

Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Oil-Free Acne Wash 26 ingredients

1.9 /5
from 8 ratings
Drying (3) Broke Me Out (1) Great Value (1)
marissa2sensitive's avatar

marissa2sensitive

3 years ago
Review

DRIED OUT MY SKIN SO BAD ( and im an oily skin person?! )
it greatly damaged my skin barrier.

LilaGrantzLila_885's avatar

LilaGrantzLila_885

2 years ago
Review

Was ok but irritated my skin
.