🇳🇱Netherlands

Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser for acne-prone skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser
  • Glycerin
  • Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
  • Cocamidopropyl Betaine
  • Lauryl Glucoside
  • Decyl Glucoside

Average

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

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 due to decyl glucoside and lauryl glucoside, which help decongest pores, while glycerin provides essential hydration.
  • While glycerin and cocamidopropyl betaine offer general cleansing benefits, they are not specifically targeted to address your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
  • The product is safe for your combination skin, as it lacks harsh ingredients and includes soothing components like glycerin.

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

★4.5Overall rating based on 3.2k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this 2-in-1 cleanser is highly regarded by users with normal to oily skin for its effective makeup removal and one-step cleansing without eye irritation. Some users with dry or sensitive skin report that the formula can be drying, leaving their skin feeling tight and stripped, and a small number of users experienced breakouts or disliked the scent.

Highlights

  • Effective makeup removal Mostly Mentioned
    • “removes waterproof mascara”
    • “takes off foundation”
    • “cleans in one step”
    • “melts away makeup”
  • Gentle on eyes Often Mentioned
    • “doesn't sting eyes”
    • “safe for contacts”
    • “no eye irritation”
    • “gentle on lashes”
  • Fresh clean scent Sometimes Noted
    • “smells very fresh”
    • “mild pleasant fragrance”
    • “clean soap smell”
    • “scent not overpowering”
  • Pleasant foaming texture Sometimes Noted
    • “foams up nicely”
    • “creamy rich lather”
    • “rinses completely clean”
    • “little goes long way”
  • Drying and stripping Sometimes Noted
    • “leaves face tight”
    • “skin felt stripped”
    • “too drying daily”
    • “dry patches appeared”
  • Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “caused cystic acne”
    • “broke me out”
    • “pimples appeared overnight”
    • “clogged my pores”
  • Ineffective on waterproof Rarely Noted
    • “didn't remove mascara”
    • “raccoon eyes left”
    • “needed second cleanse”
    • “struggled with eyeliner”
  • Scent dislike Rarely Noted
    • “smells like chemicals”
    • “strong perfume smell”
    • “scent is overpowering”
    • “smells like dish soap”

Sources: lovi.care, walmart.com, target.com, influenster.com, hometesterclub.com, kroger.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser work for acne-prone skin?

Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser works moderately well for acne-prone skin because it gently cleanses and hydrates without harsh ingredients, though it lacks specific blemish-fighting treatments. Cleansers that fit this skin better need gentle soothing extracts, targeted blemish-fighting ingredients, and balanced hydrating agents to clear breakouts safely without irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?

Decyl glucoside and lauryl glucoside help decongest pores, while glycerin provides essential hydration to keep your skin balanced. However, cleansers that fit acne-prone skin better need ingredients that actively target blemishes while remaining exceptionally safe and gentle without any risk of irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014

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

What does Ammonium Laureth Sulfate do for acne-prone skin?

Ammonium Laureth Sulfate is a strong cleanser that helps wash away oil and dirt, but it may cause dryness and irritation for acne-prone skin. Because it can disrupt the skin barrier, acne-prone skin generally needs gentle, non-irritating cleansers that clear pores without stripping away essential moisture.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1994International Journal of Toxicology, 2010

Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?

This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine, before your hydrating toner and moisturizer. An effective routine for this skin also needs targeted blemish-fighting ingredients and exfoliating steps to properly clear breakouts.

Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this cleanser with retinol, applying the cleanser first to gently wash your skin before using your retinol treatment. A cleanser for acne-prone skin needs soothing and blemish-targeting ingredients to support retinol use without causing extra dryness.

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this cleanser daily as part of your morning and evening routine to help gently clear pores while keeping your skin hydrated. A cleanser for acne-prone skin needs ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide that specifically target blemishes and breakouts.

Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?

This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores, but because it lacks targeted ingredients for acne and blemishes, it may not help prevent breakouts. Acne-prone skin needs cleansers with specialized active ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to truly clear and prevent pimples.

Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?

You can use this cleanser on your body and around your eyes because its gentle ingredients like glycerin and lauryl glucoside help clean the skin without causing irritation or dryness. However, because skin in these areas is often thinner or needs extra care, a body cleanser or eye product with specialized ingredients like mild surfactants and soothing extracts may fit these areas even better.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Formulating sodium laureth sulphate with sodium laureth carboxylate and lauryl glucoside prevented significant decreases in cutaneous capacitance and reduced erythema and dryness in healthy volunteers compared to unsupplemented sodium laureth sulphate.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014

  • A 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, 2017

  • The 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, 2020

  • Ten 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, 2001

  • Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012

  • The 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

Why other cleansers fit acne-prone skin better

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Lauryl Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide Mea, Glycereth-7, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Glycol Stearate, Dmdm Hydantoin, Tetrasodium Edta, Citric Acid

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play