Neutrogena Clear & Defend + Facial Wash

Neutrogena Clear & Defend + Facial Wash

Review

Results you may expect from using Neutrogena Clear & Defend + Facial Wash:

Neutrogena Clear & Defend + Facial Wash is a type of skincare product designed to be rinsed off, peeled off, or otherwise removed from the skin. Research confirming the moisturizing, anti-wrinkle, and soothing effects of such products is very limited. Therefore, we do not provide efficacy ratings for these types of skincare products.

However, you can explore the roles of specific ingredients in the Ingredients Explained section below.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
80
Water
6
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
4
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
3
Sorbitol
2
Glycolic Acid
1.5
Gluconolactone
1.3
Sodium Hydroxide
1
Salicylic Acid
0.3
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
0.3
Sodium Chloride
0.3
Potassium Acrylates Copolymer
0.3
Disodium EDTA
0.3
Citric Acid
0.3
Sodium Bicarbonate
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Function:
Origin:
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Function:
Origin:
Sorbitol
Function:
Origin:
Glycolic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Gluconolactone
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hydroxide
Function:
Origin:
Salicylic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Chloride
Function:
Origin:
Potassium Acrylates Copolymer
Function:
Origin:
Disodium EDTA
Function:
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Citric Acid
Function:
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Sodium Bicarbonate
Function:
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Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %80
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Sodium C14-16 Olefin SulfonateAn anionic surfactant alternative to sulfates with an excellent foaming profile.
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Cocamidopropyl HydroxysultaineA mild surfactant with excellent foaming properties and thickening capabilities.
Sorbitol
Est. %3
Function
Origin
SorbitolA sweet-tasting alcohol derived from glucose. Aside from its sweet taste (for which it is used as a very common sweetener), Sorbitol is also very good at retaining water and is used in skincare as a humectant.
Glycolic Acid
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Glycolic Acid

The second most used AHA (after lactic acid) known for its potent exfoliating and smoothing effects. It increases skin cell turnover, which is beneficial for treating acne. When used in peels, glycolic acid has confirmed anti-wrinkle efficacy, though it is less effective in leave-on products like creams and serums.

Gluconolactone
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
GluconolactoneA PHA derived from glucose. It has exfoliating and humectant properties and acts as a penetration enhancer for other ingredients. It has also been shown to assist in the treatment of acne and the prevention of photoaging.
Sodium Hydroxide
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
Sodium Hydroxide

An ingredient that is able to bring the pH of a product up, thereby making it less harsh on the skin.

Salicylic Acid
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Salicylic AcidThis effective peeling and anti-inflammatory BHA is used as an anti-acne agent and works by breaking down the junctions between dead skin cells. This results in the peeling of dead skin and the unclogging of pores.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium Lauryl SulfateA synthetic soap-like ingredient that is used in cleansing products. It foams very well and is able to remove dirt and oil from the skin. It can be irritating.
Sodium Chloride
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium Chloride

You’re definitely familiar with sodium chloride, even if you don’t think you are. It’s table salt! Salt works well with some cleansing ingredients (surfactants) to thicken them into gels. It also acts as a stabilizer for water-in-oil emulsions.

Potassium Acrylates Copolymer
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Potassium Acrylates CopolymerDescription is coming soon
Disodium EDTA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Disodium EDTAA synthetic chelator that helps to maintain the look and smell of a product by 'locking up' troublesome metal ions.
Citric Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Citric AcidA gently exfoliating AHA that helps to remove the top layer of dead skin cells. In comparison to other AHAs, citric acid has been shown to be one of the least effective. It is also very commonly used as a stabilizing and pH-controlling agent.
Sodium Bicarbonate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium BicarbonateA sodium salt that increases pH and removes dead skin cells.