neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle Scrub
neutrogena Neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle Scrub lists 27 ingredients on its label, 27 decoded. See what each one does, its irritancy and comedogenic tendency, and its status in national inventories.
Ingredients overview
Label order. Colour is our internal rating: green routine, yellow restricted or worth a look, red prohibited or high-risk, grey not yet decoded.
Ingredients are listed in label order; the order reflects the label only, not exact concentrations.
- Water
- Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
- Jojoba Esters
- Glycerin
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine
- Glycol Distearate
- Stearic Acid
- Sodium Chloride
- Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
- Cetyl Alcohol
- Salicylic Acid
- Xanthan Gum
- Phenoxyethanol
- Titanium Dioxide
- Citric Acid
- Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
- Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
- Methylparaben
- Sodium Hydroxide
- Disodium EDTA
- Parfum
- Propylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Agar
- Iron Oxides
- Mica
- Red 30
Highlights
Free of alcoholFree of siliconesFree of sulfatesFree of mineral oilFree of essential oilsFree of formaldehyde releasersContains PEGContains fragranceContains parabensContains EU-26 allergens
Formulation view A gentle deep-cleansing scrub using amino acid surfactants and jojoba esters for soft lather. Includes Salicylic Acid for exfoliation and physical exfoliants. Ideal for combination to oily skin. Formulator's note: The surfactant blend balances cleansing power with mildness, while jojoba esters prevent post-wash tightness; key challenges include even distribution of BHA within granules and preservative compatibility with complex surfactant phases.
Key ingredients
- ANTIPLAQUE
- Water
- SURFACTANT - CLEANSING
- Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
- SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT
- Jojoba EstersGlycol Distearate
- DENATURANT
- Glycerin
- ANTISTATIC
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine
- CLEANSING
- Stearic Acid
- BULKING
- Sodium Chloride
Other ingredients
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerCetyl AlcoholSalicylic AcidXanthan GumPhenoxyethanolTitanium DioxideCitric AcidMagnesium Aluminum SilicateLinoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride PhosphateMethylparabenSodium HydroxideDisodium EDTAParfumPropylparabenEthylparabenAgarIron OxidesMicaRed 30
Skim through
| Ingredient | What it does | Irr. · Com. | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | ANTIPLAQUE, SKIN CONDITIONING, SOLVENT | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate | SURFACTANT - CLEANSING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Jojoba Esters | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, MOISTURISING, SKIN CONDITIONING, SOOTHING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Glycerin | DENATURANT, HAIR CONDITIONING, HUMECTANT, ORAL CARE, SKIN PROTECTING, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING, PERFUMING, FRAGRANCE, SKIN CONDITIONING - HUMECTANT | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Cocamidopropyl Betaine | ANTISTATIC, CLEANSING, SURFACTANT - FOAM BOOSTING, HAIR CONDITIONING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING, SKIN CONDITIONING - MISCELLANEOUS | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Glycol Distearate | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, OPACIFYING, SKIN CONDITIONING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 1 | Green |
| Stearic Acid | CLEANSING, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, EMULSION STABILISING, FRAGRANCE, REFATTING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Sodium Chloride | BULKING, FRAGRANCE, ORAL CARE, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer | EMULSION STABILISING, FILM FORMING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Cetyl Alcohol | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, EMULSION STABILISING, SURFACTANT - FOAM BOOSTING, FRAGRANCE, OPACIFYING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 1 · 1 | Green |
| Salicylic Acid | ANTI-SEBORRHEIC, HAIR CONDITIONING, KERATOLYTIC, FRAGRANCE, PRESERVATIVE, SKIN CONDITIONING · 限制 III/98 V/3 | 2 · 0 | Yellow |
| Xanthan Gum | BINDING, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, EMULSION STABILISING, GEL FORMING, SKIN CONDITIONING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Phenoxyethanol | ANTIMICROBIAL, PRESERVATIVE · 限制 V/29 | 1 · 0 | Yellow |
| Titanium Dioxide | UV FILTER · 附录 VI · 最高浓度 25%* *: In case of combined use of Titanium Dioxide and Titanium Dioxide (nano), the sum shall not exceed the limit given in column g (Maximum concentration in ready for use preparation) · 限制 <empty>; as a constituent of other substances, or in mixtures, in concentrations equal to, or greater than 0.1% by weight; Shall not be placed on the market, or used, as substance or in mixtures in concentrations equal to ot greater than 0.1% by weight; Shall not be used as propellant in aerosols for any use. Aerosols dispenser containing the substance as propellant shall not | 0 · 0 | Yellow |
| Citric Acid | BUFFERING, CHELATING, FRAGRANCE | 1 · 0 | Green |
| Magnesium Aluminum Silicate | ABSORBENT, ANTICAKING, OPACIFYING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate | ANTISTATIC | 1 · – | Green |
| Methylparaben | FRAGRANCE, PRESERVATIVE · 限制 V/12 | 0 · 0 | Yellow |
| Sodium Hydroxide | BUFFERING, DENATURANT · 限制 III/15a | 3 · – | Green |
| Disodium EDTA | CHELATING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Parfum | FRAGRANCE, PERFUMING | 2 · 0 | Yellow |
| Propylparaben | PRESERVATIVE, PERFUMING · 限制 V/12 | 1 · 0 | Yellow |
| Ethylparaben | FRAGRANCE, PRESERVATIVE · 限制 V/12 | 1 · 0 | Yellow |
| Agar | BINDING, FRAGRANCE, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · – | Green |
| Iron Oxides | 着色剂 | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Mica | ANTICAKING, BULKING, COLORANT, OPACIFYING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Red 30 | 着色剂 | 0 · 0 | Green |
Ingredients explained
- Water
- Primary solvent and base; requires preservative system to prevent microbial growth
- Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
- Amino acid based mild surfactant, soft lather; cleaning power increases with salt but may dry out.
- Jojoba Esters
- Jojoba esters, light emollient ester, low comedogenic; sebum-like, excellent spreadability.
- Glycerin
- Workhorse humectant at 3–10%; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine
- Cocamidopropyl betaine; zwitterionic co-surfactant reducing irritation and boosting foam, common in mild cleansers.
- Glycol Distearate
- Glycol distearate for thickening and emulsification; non-ionic, improves viscosity
- Stearic Acid
- Fatty acid emulsifier, white waxy solid; adds slip feel
- Sodium Chloride
- Salt for gel viscosity control; used as precipitant in soaps
- Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
- Crosspolymer for thickening/film; needs neutralization to pH 7-8 to hydrate, check ion strength.
- Cetyl Alcohol
- Cetyl alcohol for emulsification/thickening; high concentration >10% may irritate.
- Salicylic Acid
- Lipophilic BHA at 0.5-2%; exfoliant/sebum control, irritation/sensitization at high conc., photosensitivity (SPF needed), avoid sensitive/pregnant.
- Xanthan Gum
- Natural thickener at 0.1–1%; provides gel texture, pH-stable, requires full hydration
- Phenoxyethanol
- Broad-spectrum preservative at ≤1%; may irritate sensitive eye areas, often paired with ethylhexylglycerin
- Titanium Dioxide
- Physical UV filter and colorant up to 25%; nano form requires attention
- Citric Acid
- Buffer and chelator at 0.1–2%; adjusts pH, may irritate sensitive skin at low pH
- Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
- Oil-absorbing powder at 5–20%; for pressed/powder makeup, high levels may feel heavy
- Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
- Linoleic-based cationic conditioner, strong antistatic for dry hair, incompatible with anionic surfactants
- Methylparaben
- Preservative, narrow spectrum; often combined, check allergen risk and regulatory limits.
- Sodium Hydroxide
- Strong base neutralizer for pH adjustment; handle with extreme care
- Disodium EDTA
- Chelating agent at 0.05–0.5%; sequesters metal ions for stability, boosts preservative efficacy
- Parfum
- Fragrance for scent; may contain allergens, caution for sensitive skin, full labeling required.
- Propylparaben
- Medium-chain preservative; restricted use, pH-sensitive efficacy.
- Ethylparaben
- Paraben preservative; EU restricted, watch total load and sensitive skin reactions
- Agar
- Natural polysaccharide gelling agent for thickening and suspension; may gel at high levels, avoid cationic systems
- Iron Oxides
- Inorganic pigment for color; particulate form, inhalation risk low in cosmetics.
- Mica
- Mineral colorant for pearlescence; heavy metal screening required
- Red 30
- Synthetic azo dye for coloring; subject to regulatory limits, ensure compliance
Source: full ingredient list published on the product label, collected 2026-09-20. Ratings are our internal reading, not a regulatory conclusion. · Product page
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