Versus

up&up Maximum Strength 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Gel Acne Medication Versus Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Spot Gel

Facial Treatment
Facial Treatment
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Overview

What they are

These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Free From

They both do not contain any oils, parabens, 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.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

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

A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.

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
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.

Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose has many uses:

  • emulsifier
  • create a gel-like texture
  • boost foam
Emulsifying, Masking

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

Surfactants reduce the surface tension of ingredients so they can mix better. Emulsifiers prevent ingredients such as oil and water from separating.

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
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

When to use

138 Routines
37% use in am
63% use in pm
82% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
151 Routines
44% use in am
55% use in pm
74% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Spot Gel 9 ingredients

3.6 /5
from 5 ratings
Works Well (3) Drying (3) Great Value (3)
aliciaz's avatar

alicia z

7 months ago
Review

Love the product, reduces my breakouts a lot.

#great value
#drying
#light
#no scent
renatatjan's avatar

Renata

9 months ago
Review

Doesn't work on acne, and irritates my skin.

#drying
#irritating
#doesn't work