But this is a spot treatment. That’s something you use on spots only. In this case, alcohol would help dry out the nasty bugger sooner. Unfortunately, several products in both Clean & Clear and Neutrogena contain a range of ingredients that are concerning for skincare. These include ingredients such as Fragrance, Red 4, Alcohol, Yellow 10, PEGs, Talc and synthetic dyes. Instead, use a targeted product like the Clean & Clear® Advantage Rapid Gel. It unclogs pores and helps to reduce the appearance of spots. Apply directly where needed morning and evening after washing with a product such as the Clean & Clear® Advantage Daily Wash. Clean & Clear states that you’ll see an improvement after 4 hours, which is true, especially if your pimple is brand new. But it’ll take 4 or 5 days for salicylic acid to make it go away completely. Neutrogena doubles-down on the idea of 'acne treatment' with their scrub. It contains Salicylic Acid (to further expunge nastiness from your pores), as well as Grapefruit Extract (to kill acne-causing bacteria), and a gentle surfactant— Cocamidopropyl Betaine—to avoid further inflaming acne.

Since both the Clean and Clear Deep Action Exfoliating Facial Scrub and the Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Acne Wash Scrub contain the same scrubbing agent—Microcrystalline Cellulose—they are one and the same physical exfoliation-wise. What sets them apart, though, are their supporting formulas. Yes, Clean and Clear is good for acne as it clean pores and removes sebum and excessive oil. But at what cost? At the heart of practically every worthwhile acne treatment is an exfoliating formula which unclogs pores and removes dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, thereby preventing new breakouts and allowing existing acne to clear up on its own.

Active Ingredients

Your acne may be deemed as severe if you develop nodules (large, hard, painful lumps that build up beneath the surface of the skin) or cysts (large, pus-filled lumps that look similar to boils). At this stage, you should seek advice from your GP for expert treatment to avoid scarring, especially if it’s making you feel very unhappy.

Stop looking in mirrors! I know this sounds stupid, but looking in the mirror trigger anxiety, an inevitable outcome of a scary pimple. This anxiety leads to stress and further hormone troubles and further acne. (also, you end up popping it) If you've been following along with the whole guide up until now, bells might be ringing with regards to how similar this is to the dilemma we had with their cleansers. Long story short, because of the difference in actives, the two products end up being suitable for slightly different types of acne. If the ingredients list stopped there we'd be waxing lyrical about it, but as mentioned in the overview, it unfortunately contains more than a few causes for concern: parabens, PEGs, fragrance, and synthetic dyes. Drink plenty of water. A glass after every time you pee. (Persistence is key, avoid drinking a jar a day)Red 4 is a synthetic dye produced from petroleum, and Yellow 10 is a synthetic dye produced from petroleum or coal tar sources. Salicylic Acid; Water, Dicaprylyl Ether, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Neopentyl Glycol Dietheylhexanoate, Dimethicone, Methyl Gluceth-20, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Steareth-20, Steareth-2, Neopentyl Glycol Diisostearate, Sodium Benzoate*, Fragrance, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, BHT, Citrus Grandis (grapefruit) Fruit Extract*

Witch Hazelalso contains tiny amounts of the essential oil and fragrance component eugenol, but the amount is so small that it's probably not significant for the skin.

Pharmacy product

Hi, I'm Gio! I’m a tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and author on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever - every day. Keep your hands away! -The less you touch your face, the less dirt and bacteria will spread onto your skin. Always wash your hands before applying make-up or when you need to re-touch your face!