The Neutrogena Oil-Absorbing Acne Mask combines purified water with six ingredients to make for a reduction in the amount of blemishes and the frequency of breakouts. It advertises itself as having a “natural clay” formula and does include clay to help dry the skin without over-drying. It uses the maximum concentration of its active ingredient allowed by the Food and Drug Administration.
Benzoyl Peroxide
A 5 percent solution of benzoyl peroxide, also known as dibenzoyl peroxide, is listed as its active ingredient. It is a typical acne treatment, as it has been shown to work in reducing breakouts. According to the National Library of Medicine, it may take four to six weeks before results are seen. Side effects can include tingling skin, warmth or stinging skin, and skin that is too dry and peels.
It is classified as a “GRAS,” or generally recognized as safe, ingredient by the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA also recognizes this anti-acne ingredient as effective.
Kaolin
Kaolin is also referred to as China clay, white bole or bolus alba. It is a drying agent that will soak up the oil in the skin. It is often used in combination with other clays such as bentonite. It is a natural clay, hydrated aluminum silicate, and is not absorbed into the body.
Glycerin
Gycerin, a sugar alcohol, can be all-natural or synthetic. It is in many skin-care and personal-hygiene products, including toothpaste. It is listed as a skin protectant, which is an agent that will protect the skin from irritation. Another characteristic of glycerin is its use as a viscosity decreaser. This means that it will make the product’s consistency less thick.
Bentonite
Bentonite is another clay-like additive that has a silicate base. It contains oxygen, silicon and metals. It can also absorb water and acts as a bulking agent in order to increase the volume of the product.
SD Alcohol
There is a 2.6 percent solution of SD (specially denatured) alcohol in the ingredients of Neutrogena’s oil-absorbing acne mask. It evaporates quickly off the skin and is used as a bacteria-killing agent. Killing bacteria off the skin helps reduce the breakouts commonly associated with acne.
Titanium Dioxide
Titanium dioxide is added to many skin-care items, cosmetics and over-the-counter sunscreens. It has both sunscreen agents to help block out UVA/UVB rays from the sun, ability as opacifying agent (reduces transparency of the product) and it is a coloring. It can be used to hide blemishes in the skin when put in topical agents.
