Neutrogena Multi-Vitamin Acne Treatment lotion is made to treat skin breakouts with salicylic acid and a vitamin formula that works like an antioxidant for the skin. Ingredients in this acne treatment function to heal the skin and keep the product fresher longer.
Salicylic Acid
The active ingredient in Neutrogena Multi-Vitamin Acne Treatment is a 1.5% solution of salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid. This particular additive works to reduce the amount of facial oil and acne. It has been used in chemical peels to reduce fine lines on the face. Salicylic acid is categorized as a debriding agent (a cleanser and healer) and as an exfoliant that removes dead skin cells.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants make up the bulk of the natural ingredients in this product. Antioxidants in the ingredient list are kiwi fruit extract, grape extract, honey extract and tocopheryl acetate---vitamin E. Tocopheryl acetate also helps hinder UV skin damage. NaturalDatabase.com shows that dark honey will have a "stronger antioxidant effect compared with light honeys."
Surfactants
Surfactants help a product glide well across the skin by lowering the surface tension of the compound. There are two surfactants in Neutrogena Multi-Vitamin Acne treatment---steareth-20 and PEG-100 stearate. PEG-100 stearate will also keep the ingredients well blended, acting as if it were a binding agent.
Humectants
Humectants keep moisture in the skin. Some work by holding water in the skin, others by adding moisture into the skin. Three ingredients in this acne treatment act in this way---panthenol, glycerin and butylene glycol. Panthenol is also a B5 vitamin. Butylene glycol is a form of propylene glycol and according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, "studies have not shown these chemicals to be carcinogens" and so they are safe to use in cosmetics and other personal care products.
Skin Conditions
Skin conditioners help the appearance of the skin, making it softer and smoother than it was prior to treatment. Skin conditioners work well with humectants in typically drying products like acne formulas. There are two in the ingredient list and these are PPG-14 butyl ether and methyl gluceth-20.
Thickeners
Thickeners bulk up a product, making it more cream-like. They help in the appearance of the product and the customer's perception of its ability to work. Thickeners in this product are xanthan gum, sclerotium gum and gylceryl stearate.
Preservatives
Without preservatives in a product there is a chance for the compound to mold, grow bacteria or exhibit fungi. Preservatives for Neutrogena's vitamin acne treatment are propylparaben, methylparaben and diazolidinyl urea. While the parabens are unlikely to bother skin, "Contact Dermatitis" in its December 2000 issue, states that diazolidinyl urea is a formaldehyde-releasing preservative.
Coloring
There are only two dyes listed in this product that aid in producing the standard color of the acne treatment. These colors are FD&C Red #40 and FD&C Yellow #5.
Anti-Irritants
Keeping the skin free from irritation is the job of anti-irritants. In this product, these include oat extract and bisabolol. Bisabolol can be synthetic or it can be all natural, derived from chamomile.
Miscellaneous
The remaining six ingredients serve various purposes. Cetyl alcohol is a lubricant while glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that exfoliates. Dimethicone is a form of silicon that lets the product glide well. Retinyl palmitate is less irritating that retinol and smooths lines. Sodium hydroxide is lye but is used in small concentrations as a pH adapter. Lastly, tetrasodium EDTA is a chelating agent to keep bonding of mineral from happening in the product.
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