Allergen & irritant analysis
3 flaggedThis cleanser from Neutrogena lists 14 ingredients. AllerNote's analysis flags 1 known contact allergen and 2 common irritants in the INCI list. No added fragrance, parabens, MI / MCI (isothiazolinones), formaldehyde-releasing preservatives were detected in the listed ingredients.
- Sodium lauryl sulfateKnown allergen (surfactant): Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonateCan be irritating for sensitive skin or at high concentrations, similar to other strong anionic detergents.
- Sodium hydroxideStrong 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, parabens, MI / MCI (isothiazolinones), formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. Contains: SLS / SLES sulfates.
Based on what's flagged, take extra care if you're among:
- People prone to irritation, or with very dry / eczema-prone skin
Generated from this product's ingredient list and AllerNote's allergen database — educational, not medical advice or a substitute for patch testing.
Benefits
Key Ingredients
- 1ExfoliatorsRemoves dead skin cells to smoothe texture.
- 2AHAExfoliates skin for a brighter complexion.
- 3BHAUnclogs pores and reduces excess oil.
- 4PHAGently exfoliates and hydrates with less irritation.
Full Ingredient List
14INCI (full list, INCI order): water, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, sorbitol, glycolic acid, gluconolactone, sodium hydroxide, salicylic acid, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium chloride, potassium acrylates copolymer, disodium edta, citric acid, sodium bicarbonate
Tap any ingredient to see details
Potential Concerns
- 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 Trigger AcneCan clog pores or trigger breakouts.
- May Worsen EczemaMay worsen itching or irritation for eczema.
- May Worsen Oily SkinMay increase shine or excess oil.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clear & Defend + Facial Wash fragrance-free?
No added fragrance or EU-labelled fragrance allergens were detected in Clear & Defend + Facial Wash'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.
Is Clear & Defend + Facial Wash paraben-free?
No parabens were detected in Clear & Defend + Facial Wash's listed ingredients. Worth keeping in perspective: parabens are among the least common cosmetic allergens, so "paraben-free" matters far less for reactive skin than avoiding fragrance or the preservative MI/MCI.
Is Clear & Defend + Facial Wash suitable for sensitive or allergy-prone skin?
It depends on your specific triggers. Clear & Defend + Facial Wash contains 1 flagged allergen and 2 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 + Facial Wash against your own profile.

