Neutrogena Stubborn Body Acne Cleanser & Exfoliator Versus Face Reality Skincare L-Mandelic Face and Body Wash

Neutrogena Stubborn Body Acne Cleanser & Exfoliator Versus Face Reality Skincare L-Mandelic Face and Body Wash

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Salicylic Acid 1%

Water

Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate

Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine

Sorbitol

Gluconolactone

Sodium Hydroxide

Potassium Acrylates Copolymer

Disodium EDTA

Salicylic Acid 1%, Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sorbitol, Gluconolactone, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Acrylates Copolymer, Disodium EDTA

Polyacrylate-1 Crosspolymer

Sodium Cocoamphoacetate

Hamamelis Virginiana Water

Mandelic Acid 1%

Honey

Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract

Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract

Actinidia Deliciosa Fruit Extract

Glycerin

Sodium Benzoate

Alcohol

Ethylhexylglycerin

Propanediol

Phenoxyethanol

Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Polyacrylate-1 Crosspolymer, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Gluconolactone, Mandelic Acid 1%, Honey, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Actinidia Deliciosa Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Benzoate, Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol

Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is a synthetic cleansing agent, though it is derived from coconut oil.

It is used to enhance the texture of products by boosting lather and thickening the texture. As a cleanser, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is mild.

Gluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.

When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.

PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.

Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:

In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.

This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.

Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a surfactant that helps water and oil mix so that dirt, sweat, sebum, and sunscreen can rinse away easily. It's not technically a sulfate, but behaves similarly in formulas.

What it does:

Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a strong cleansing surfactant and is much stronger than many mild cleansers. Because it works deeply, it can disrupt the skin's barrier. This can lead to dryness or irritation for those with sensitive skin.

Compared to gentler surfactants, it's effective but more likely to dry or irritate if not balanced with soothing ingredients.

CIR considers sodium α-olefin sulfonates (including C14-16) to be safe for use in rinse-off products when properly formulated. It is poorly absorbed through normal skin but absorption increases if the skin barrier is already damaged.

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. Remember to stay hydrated!

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