Neutrogena deep clean for acne-prone skin
Glycerin
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Average
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other cleansers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate cleansing for your combination skin, as cocamidopropyl betaine and salicylic acid work to decongest pores without causing irritation. Glycerin provides a humectant action, balancing the cleansing benefits for your skin type.
- The formula is safe for your acne-prone skin, containing no harsh or prohibited ingredients that could exacerbate existing conditions.
- It provides general cleansing and mild exfoliation suitable for your skin concerns.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM and PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it.
- This cleanser is the first step in your morning routine and the second step after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Always follow up with a toner and moisturizer .
- Gently massage a small amount of the cleanser onto your face in circular motions. Avoid harsh rubbing to keep your skin calm.
- Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help it work effectively against breakouts. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water .
- Avoid the immediate eye area and do a patch test before your first use to check for any sensitivity.
People Say
★4.3Overall rating based on 15.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this cleanser is highly effective at removing dirt, oil, and makeup, making it a popular choice for normal to oily and acne-prone skin types. However, a significant number of users with sensitive or dry skin report that it can be overly stripping, leading to dryness and irritation.
Highlights
Deeply cleanses skin Mostly Mentioned
- “thoroughly removes dirt, oil and dead skin cells”
- “cleans very well, even make up”
- “leaves your skin feeling soft, clean and fresh”
- “removes external impurities and opens up clogged pores”
Controls excess oil Often Mentioned
- “keeps my skin relieved of all the greasiness”
- “reduces oiliness on my face”
- “keeps a check on greasiness”
- “controls shine”
Dries out skin Often Mentioned
- “my skin feels dry after using this”
- “stretches my skin and make it deficient of moisture”
- “can leave drier complexions feeling tight”
- “made my face look dull due to extra dryness”
Prevents acne breakouts Sometimes Noted
- “makes my skin safe from acnes”
- “cleanses without irritation or breakouts”
- “acne-fighting properties have proven effective in preventing breakouts”
- “It didn't break me out”
Removes makeup effectively Sometimes Noted
- “Removes makeup and oil completely”
- “Removes my makeup well”
- “cleans very well, even make up”
- “Effective makeup removal”
Irritates sensitive skin Sometimes Noted
- “experienced a burning sensation on sensitive areas”
- “nose would often have red marks and feel irritated”
- “harsh on my skin”
- “fragrance, dyes, and stripping potential make it a poor fit”
Contains artificial ingredients Rarely Noted
- “contains fragrance... plus Yellow 5 and Red 40 dyes”
- “added fragrance and dyes may irritate”
- “I don't like to smell too much fragrance”
- “fragrance, dyes... make it a poor fit”
Sources: lovi.care, neutrogena.com, walmart.ca, citymarket.com, purplle.com, tryandreview.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Neutrogena Deep Clean work for acne-prone skin?
Neutrogena Deep Clean works moderately well for acne-prone skin, as salicylic acid helps clear pores and glycerin keeps skin balanced without causing irritation. Cleansers rated higher for this skin type need powerful ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, or hyaluronic acid to better manage breakouts while deeply hydrating and protecting the skin barrier.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023BioMed Research International, 2020
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Cocamidopropyl betaine and salicylic acid make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin by gently clearing out pores without causing irritation. Glycerin helps balance these cleansing benefits by keeping your skin soft. For the best results on this skin type, cleansers need soothing ingredients, barrier-repairing agents like ceramides, and hydrators like niacinamide or hyaluronic acid.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023BioMed Research International, 2020
What does Water do for acne-prone skin?
Water-based hydration helps keep acne-prone skin balanced by providing essential moisture without adding excess oil. Proper hydration also helps reduce dryness and flakiness that can sometimes result from harsh acne treatments.
What does Glycerin do for acne-prone skin?
Glycerin helps keep acne-prone skin hydrated and calm without clogging pores or feeling heavy. It supports the skin barrier so it stays soft and smooth while handling everyday treatments.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser goes as the first step of your morning routine and the second step of your evening routine after makeup remover. For this skin, a cleanser of this type needs soothing ingredients and gentle pore-clearing agents to manage breakouts without causing irritation.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by applying the cleanser first on your skin, rinsing it off, and then following up with your retinol treatment. Because this cleanser contains salicylic acid, using it alongside strong retinoids may sometimes cause dryness, so a gentle routine with added hydration helps keep your skin calm and comfortable.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. This cleanser helps clear pores safely without irritation, though acne-prone skin often does better with a cleanser containing calming and oil-controlling ingredients like niacinamide or soothing plant extracts.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your acne-prone skin, as it contains salicylic acid to help clear out pores without irritation. However, some reviewers note that it dries out skin, so a cleanser for this skin also needs gentle, hydrating ingredients like glycerin to keep skin soft and balanced.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but it is best to avoid the very thin skin around the eyes to prevent dryness and irritation. Cleansers for acne-prone skin need gentle exfoliating ingredients like salicylic acid and soothing agents to clear pores without stripping moisture.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
The use of a salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic significantly reduces the needed quantity of benzoyl peroxide without impacting efficacy in mild to moderate acne, and as maintenance post-benzoyl peroxide allows a significant reduction of acne relapse compared to vehicle.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.
BioMed Research International, 2020Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001The cytotoxic effect of sodium lauryl sulphate on normal human keratinocytes was significantly decreased when combined with cocamidopropyl betaine, Tween 20, and Tween 80 at concentrations well below the critical micelle concentration.
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2003
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Edta, Dmdm Hydantoin
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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