Neutrogena

Stubborn Texture Cleanser.

Cleansers

About this product

A fragrance-free salicylic acid cleanser formulated with 1% salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and polyhydroxy acids, designed to cleanse and gently exfoliate the skin.

Full ingredients

Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sorbitol, Glycolic Acid, Gluconolactone, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Acrylates Copolymer, Disodium EDTA

Guru Score

68%

Mixed

Early verdict · Few reviews so far

2Gurus

1Approved

0Mixed

1Skip

What the gurus are saying

Experts split on whether this cleanser truly helps stubborn texture. Some question its strength and criticize the marketing as misleading: it's labeled as a salicylic acid treatment but emphasizes glycolic and polyhydroxy acids. Others praise it as gentle, non-drying, and suitable for acne-prone and sensitive skin, with the 1% salicylic acid combined with glycolic and polyhydroxy acids helping clear acne, remove surface buildup, and improve texture and blackheads.

Synthesized from 2 expert reviews · most recent take January 2024

Type

Cleansers

Key actives

Salicylic acid (BHA)AHA

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Amazon → Google → iHerb →

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What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

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Dr. Shereene Idriss

1.72M subs

~Skip

"This is not going to help even out your texture because it's not strong enough to help you even out your texture. But it says salicylic acid acne treatment, yet they choose to highlight 4% glycolic acid and polyhydroxy acid. I'm a little confused by this one because of the misleading marketing."

Dr Dray

2.68M subs

~Approved

"Overall this particular cleanser is not drying it's it's pretty moisturizing um and it's a great option for people who have acne prone skin"

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All 4 takes from Dr Dray

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"Overall this particular cleanser is not drying it's it's pretty moisturizing um and it's a great option for people who have acne prone skin"

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"This cleanser helps to clear stubborn acne and shed rough surface skin cells really leaving your skin smooth and soft now"

HOW TO USE SALICYLIC ACID FACE WASH 🚿 Dermatologist @DrDrayzday

"Neutrogena came out with a Stubborn Texture line. This is a really good cleanser option for those of you who maybe have acne and very sensitive skin, or maybe you're just looking to incorporate a salicylic acid cleanser into your routine to improve skin texture, or maybe you have keratosis pilaris. It's not specifically marketed to the keratosis pilaris crowd but it has one percent salicylic acid, so a touch slower onset compared to the two percent, but less likely to be drying and irritating. In contrast to their classic Oil-Free Acne Wash, this one is free of fragrance. It also has glycolic acid in it, which can help smooth out the skin surface, so it's a good option for those of you who are looking to improve hyperpigmentation."

BEST DRUGSTORE OILY SKIN CARE ROUTINE 🛍 DERMATOLOGIST @DrDrayzday

"They also came out with a newer salicylic acid cleanser, the Stubborn Texture one, that's really good. It's fragrance free, it has one percent salicylic acid as well as glycolic and polyhydroxy acids, and these help gently exfoliate the skin, which helps if you're prone to blackheads and pore clogging, and it can gently help with hyperpigmentation too."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid dissolves in oil, so it can get into a pore rather than just working on the surface. That is why it has long-standing evidence for blackheads and milder acne.

Source: DermNet

Alpha hydroxy acids

Alpha hydroxy acids loosen the bonds holding dead cells at the surface. The evidence supports smoother texture and more even tone over time, and they can leave skin more sensitive to sun.

Source: NIH, National Library of Medicine

Frequently asked.

What is Neutrogena Stubborn Texture Cleanser?

A fragrance-free salicylic acid cleanser formulated with 1% salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and polyhydroxy acids, designed to cleanse and gently exfoliate the skin.

Is Neutrogena Stubborn Texture Cleanser worth it?

The gurus mostly approve it, but with enough reservations to keep it in the middle at a Guru Score of 68%.

What is Neutrogena Stubborn Texture Cleanser's Guru Score?

Neutrogena Stubborn Texture Cleanser holds a Guru Score of 68%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 2 expert reviewers we have collected.