Clear & Defend 0.5% Salicylic Acid SOS Gel

Clear & Defend 0.5% Salicylic Acid SOS Gel

4.0
37ingredients
Facial TreatmentNeutrogena

Full INCI list with a per-ingredient allergen & irritant analysis below.

Formula flagsfrom catalog claims
Oil-freeSulfate-freeVeganReef-safeAlcohol-freeCruelty-freeParaben-freeSilicone-freeFragrance-freeEU-allergen-freeFungal-acne-safe

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Allergen & irritant analysis

10 flagged

This facial treatment from Neutrogena lists 37 ingredients. AllerNote's analysis flags 5 known contact allergens and 5 common irritants in the INCI list. No added fragrance, MI / MCI (isothiazolinones), formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, SLS / SLES sulfates were detected in the listed ingredients.

5 known allergens in this formula
5 known irritants
  • Benzalkonium chloride · preservative · mediumKnown allergen (preservative): Benzalkonium Chloride
  • Methylparaben · preservative · mediumKnown allergen (preservative): Methylparaben
  • Propylparaben · preservative · mediumKnown allergen (preservative): Propylparaben
  • Propylene glycol · solvent · lowKnown allergen (solvent): Propylene Glycol
  • Cetyl alcohol · emollient · lowKnown allergen (emollient): Cetyl Alcohol
  • Alcohol denat. · solventCan be drying and sensitizing, especially for sensitive skin, by stripping natural oils and disrupting the skin barrier.
  • Hamamelis virginiana water · activeCan be sensitizing or irritating for some individuals, especially if formulated with alcohol, due to its natural tannin content.
  • Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark extract · activeContains cinnamaldehyde, an EU 26 fragrance allergen and known skin sensitizer.
  • Alcohol · solventKnown sensitizer/irritant
  • Sodium hydroxide · otherStrong alkaline substance that can be highly corrosive and irritating in high concentrations; used safely in cosmetics only in neutralized, low concentrations for pH adjustment.

Not detected: added fragrance, MI / MCI (isothiazolinones), formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, SLS / SLES sulfates. Contains: parabens.

Based on what's flagged, take extra care if you're among:

  • People sensitised to preservatives (e.g. MI/MCI or formaldehyde releasers)

Generated from this product's ingredient list and AllerNote's allergen database — educational, not medical advice or a substitute for patch testing.

Benefits

HydratingBrighteningAcne fightingReduces irritationGood for oily skinReduces large poresScar healingBarrier repair

Key Ingredients

  • 1
    BHAUnclogs pores and reduces excess oil.
  • 2
    AntioxidantsShields skin from free radical damage.

Full Ingredient List

37

INCI (full list, INCI order): water, alcohol denat., glycerin, polyacrylate-13, cyclopentasiloxane, polyisobutene, c12-15 alkyl lactate, hamamelis virginiana water, cinnamomum zeylanicum bark extract, cedrus atlantica bark extract, portulaca oleracea extract, sarcosine, cetyl lactate, ppg-2 isoceteth-20 acetate, butylene glycol, hexylene glycol, cocamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate, salicylic acid, capryloyl glycine, propylene glycol, alcohol, phenethyl dimethicone, cetyl alcohol, polysorbate 20, polysorbate 60, dehydroxanthan gum, hydroxyethylcellulose, sodium chloride, disodium edta, citric acid, disodium phosphate, sodium phosphate, sodium hydroxide, benzalkonium chloride, phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, propylparaben

Tap any ingredient to see details

2alcohol denat.20propylene glycol23cetyl alcohol

Potential Concerns

  • May Worsen EczemaMay worsen itching or irritation for eczema.
  • May Worsen RosaceaCan trigger flare-ups in rosacea-prone skin.
  • May Worsen DrynessCan strip moisture and worsen dryness.
  • May Worsen IrritationMay cause stinging, redness, or sensitivity.
  • May Worsen Oily SkinMay increase shine or excess oil.
  • May Trigger AcneCan clog pores or trigger breakouts.

Frequently asked questions

Is Clear & Defend 0.5% Salicylic Acid SOS Gel fragrance-free?

No added fragrance or EU-labelled fragrance allergens were detected in Clear & Defend 0.5% Salicylic Acid SOS Gel's listed ingredients. "Not detected" isn't an absolute guarantee, but it's a good sign for fragrance-sensitive skin — confirm against the current pack and your own triggers.

Does Clear & Defend 0.5% Salicylic Acid SOS Gel contain parabens?

Yes, Clear & Defend 0.5% Salicylic Acid SOS Gel's INCI list includes one or more parabens. For most people that's low-risk — parabens have a notably low contact-allergy rate — but if you've patch-tested positive to parabens specifically, choose a paraben-free alternative.

Is Clear & Defend 0.5% Salicylic Acid SOS Gel suitable for sensitive or allergy-prone skin?

It depends on your specific triggers. Clear & Defend 0.5% Salicylic Acid SOS Gel contains 5 flagged allergens and 5 irritants (listed in the analysis above). If none are on your personal allergen list it may suit you, but patch test first — add your allergens to AllerNote to check Clear & Defend 0.5% Salicylic Acid SOS Gel against your own profile.