Paula's Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser vs Neutrogena Evenly Clear Acne Cleanser with Salicylic Acid

Paula's Choice

Neutrogena

A face cleanser built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for hydration and barrier repair.

A face wash built around PHA and Panthenol, for hydration and barrier repair.

Face cleanser

Face wash

18 ingredients

16 ingredients

Brand price

USD 28.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

Not recorded · brand's site

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Brand from United States

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At a Glance

They come out differently on Sulfate-free and Cruelty-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid
BHA1
Beta hydroxy acid — oil-soluble, so it works inside the pore.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid1
The BHA used in acne treatment.
Salicylic Acid

PHA1
Polyhydroxy acids — larger and milder than AHAs.
Gluconolactone
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
BHA1
Beta hydroxy acid — oil-soluble, so it works inside the pore.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid1
The BHA used in acne treatment.
Salicylic Acid

Hydrating3
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Panthenol
Barrier Repair3
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Panthenol
Smoothing3
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Salicylic Acid

Hydrating3
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Panthenol
Barrier Repair3
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Glycerin, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation2
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Panthenol
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis6
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
May Worsen Eczema1
May worsen itching or irritation for eczema-prone skin.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
May Worsen Dryness1
Can strip moisture and worsen dryness.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate

Show highlights for:

Salicylic Acid (in both products)
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer
Viscosity Controlling
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Sulfate surfactants (SLS/SLES)
- May Worsen Dryness
- May Worsen Eczema
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Arginine
Skin Conditioning
0 / —
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

Salicylic Acid (in both products)
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
- PHA
- Exfoliating
- Hydrating
Sodium Hydrolyzed Potato Starch Dodecenylsuccinate
Cleansing
0-1 / —
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering
0 / —
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Panthenol (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Panthenol (provitamin B5)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Reduces Irritation

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Salicylic Acid
Anti-seborrheic, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Keratolytic, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid is a BHA.
Learn more about Salicylic Acid →
Water
Antiplaque, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Learn more about Water →
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →
Panthenol
Antistatic, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Panthenol is panthenol (provitamin B5).
Learn more about Panthenol →
Disodium EDTA
Chelating, Viscosity Controlling
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
Learn more about Disodium EDTA →