Deep Clean Blackhead Eliminating Toner
The Neutrogena Deep Clean Blackhead Eliminating Toner is a emulsion. Our analysis of its 15 ingredients (10 low-risk) rates it Excellent (81/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone skin. Heads up: it contains fragrance, which can irritate sensitive or reactive skin.
The Neutrogena Deep Clean Blackhead Eliminating Toner is a emulsion. Our analysis of its 15 ingredients (10 low-risk) rates it Excellent (81/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone skin. Heads up: it contains fragrance, which can irritate sensitive or reactive skin.
Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.
The evidence
Dry Skin
3/4
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin
3/0
Sensitive Skin
1/7
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
4
|
B
|
Glycolic Acid
(Exfoliant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent) |
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
|
1
|
A
|
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
(Antioxidant) |
|
|
1
|
|
Water
(Solvent) |
|
|
1
|
B
|
Sodium PCA
(Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Antistatic Agent, Skin Conditioning) |
Good for Dry Skin
|
|
3
|
B
|
Propylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioningagent Miscellaneous, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling) |
Good for Dry Skin
|
|
4
|
B
|
Salicylic Acid
(Antiacne Agent, Antidandruff Agent, Corn/Callus/Wart Remover, Denaturant, Exfoliant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Keratolytic, Masking, Preservative) |
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
|
|
1
|
|
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Bark Extract | |
|
2
|
|
Cedrus Atlantica Bark Extract
(Perfuming, Skin Conditioning) |
|
|
3
|
A
|
Benzoic Acid
(Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Preservative, Bulking Agent, Masking) |
Bad for Sensitive Skin
|
|
3
|
B
|
Sodium Lactate
(Buffering Agent, Exfoliant, Humectant, Keratolytic) |
|
|
3
|
B
|
Sodium Hydroxide
(Denaturant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent) |
|
|
3
|
B
|
PPG-5-Ceteth-20
(Emulsifying, Surfactant) |
|
|
4
|
B
|
Methyl Lactate
(Flavoring Agent, Fragrance, Solvent, Masking) |
|
|
4
|
|
Alcohol Denat.
(Antifoaming Agent, Antimicrobial, Astringent, Masking, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling) |
Bad for Dry Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
|
8
|
|
Fragrance
(Deodorant, Masking, Perfuming) |
No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.
EWG flags hazard, not real-world risk — ratings don't account for how much of an ingredient a product contains. Treat these as things to research, not verdicts. How we score →
How to use
General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.
Trust & honesty
Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.
Low-strength topical salicylic acid (BHA) is generally considered fine. Caution is usually reserved for high-strength leave-on products and salicylic peels.
This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy guidance varies and depends on concentration and your individual situation — always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist. How we flag this.
The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.
L-ascorbic acid is usually used at 5–20% (around 10–15% is common). Above ~20% adds little and tends to irritate more; it also needs a low pH to work.
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Salicylic acid is OTC-capped at 2%; 0.5–2% is the usual leave-on range. Much below that it acts more as a soothing agent than an exfoliant.
Salicylic Acid
OTC leave-on AHAs are usually 5–10%. The effect also depends on pH and free-acid value, not the percentage alone.
Glycolic Acid
INCI lists don't disclose amounts, and we don't claim to know this product's levels — these are the ranges these ingredients are usually effective at, so you can tell a real formula from "fairy-dusting" a marketed active. How we estimate this.
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