Clear and Defend SOS Gel

exfoliant · 15 ml · Skincare

Neutrogena Clear and Defend SOS Gel is free of fragrance, essential oils, labelled fragrance allergens, sulfates and MI / MCI, going by its full 37-ingredient list, with glycerin and salicylic acid. List checked November 5, 2026.

The catch: it contains drying alcohol, silicones (Cyclopentasiloxane, Phenethyl Dimethicone) and parabens (Methylparaben, Propylparaben).

Fragrance-free
No essential oils
No labelled fragrance allergens
Contains drying alcohol
Sulfate-free
Contains silicones
Contains parabens
No MI/MCI

£4.5218% off the list priceat Amazon UK

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Key ingredients in Clear and Defend SOS Gel

Glycerin
A classic humectant that keeps skin hydrated.
Salicylic acid (BHA)
An oil-soluble exfoliant that clears inside pores.

Full ingredient list, decoded

37 ingredients, in label order (highest amount first; below about 1% the order is free).

1AquaAqua is the INCI name for water, the main base of many creams, lotions and cleansers…
2Alcohol DenatAlcohol, usually ethanol, is a light liquid that dissolves oils and fragrance and dries…Drying alcohol
3GlycerinGlycerin is a clear, thick, odorless liquid that pulls water into the skin and helps…
4Polyacrylate-13
5CyclopentasiloxaneCyclomethicone is a light silicone made of ring-shaped molecules, and its main job is…Silicones
6PolyisobutenePolyisobutene is a synthetic, sticky polymer that helps hold ingredients together and…
7C12-15 Alkyl Lactate
8Hamamelis Virginiana Water
9Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
10Cedrus Atlantica Bark Extract
11Portulaca Oleracea Extract
12Sarcosine
13Cetyl Lactate
14PPG-2 Isoceteth-20 Acetate
15Butylene GlycolButylene Glycol is a clear, odorless liquid that attracts and holds water. It is a…
16Hexylene GlycolHexylene Glycol is a clear, colorless liquid that mixes with both water and oil-loving…
17Cocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
18Salicylic AcidSalicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid, or BHA, that gently exfoliates skin and helps…
19Capryloyl GlycineCapryloyl Glycine is a mild, amino-acid-based surfactant made from glycine, an amino…
20Propylene GlycolPropylene Glycol is a colorless, slightly syrupy liquid that attracts water and is…
21AlcoholAlcohol, usually ethanol, is a light liquid that dissolves oils and fragrance and dries…Drying alcohol
22Phenethyl DimethiconeSilicones
23Cetyl AlcoholCetyl Alcohol is a waxy fatty alcohol that softens skin and helps creams and lotions…
24Polysorbate 20Polysorbate 20 is a mild, water-soluble emulsifier made from sorbitol and a lauric-type…
25Polysorbate 60Polysorbate 60 is a mild, water-loving emulsifier made from sorbitol, ethylene oxide…
26Dehydroxanthan Gum
27HydroxyethylcelluloseHydroxyethylcellulose is a plant-derived thickener made by modifying cellulose, the…
28Sodium ChlorideA simple mineral salt, made of sodium and chloride, used mainly to adjust thickness and…
29Disodium EDTADisodium EDTA is a salt of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, a chelating agent that…
30Citric AcidCitric acid is a mild, naturally occurring acid found in citrus fruit. In skincare and…
31Disodium PhosphateDisodium Phosphate is a salt of phosphoric acid and sodium. In skincare and haircare it…
32Sodium PhosphateSodium Phosphate is a simple salt made from phosphoric acid and sodium that mainly…
33Sodium HydroxideSodium hydroxide is a strong alkali, also called caustic soda. In small amounts it…
34Benzalkonium Chloride
35PhenoxyethanolA synthetic preservative that helps stop bacteria, yeast and mold from growing in…
36MethylparabenMethylparaben is a preservative that helps keep water-based products free from mold and…Parabens
37PropylparabenPropylparaben is a preservative used to help keep water-based products free from mold,…Parabens

Source: Neutrogena product page, www.neutrogena.co.uk/skincare/clear-defend/clear-and-defend-rapid-trea, retrieved November 5, 2026.

Every flag we check

Check	Result	Ingredients found
Fragrance	None listed	—
Essential oils	None listed	—
Labelled fragrance allergens	None listed	—
Drying alcohol	Contains	Alcohol Denat (#2), Alcohol (#21)
Sulfates	None listed	—
Silicones	Contains	Cyclopentasiloxane (#5), Phenethyl Dimethicone (#22)
Parabens	Contains	Methylparaben (#36), Propylparaben (#37)
MI / MCI	None listed	—
Formaldehyde releasers	None listed	—
Mineral oil & petrolatum	None listed	—
Lanolin	None listed	—
Chemical UV filters	None listed	—

Frequently asked questions

Is Neutrogena Clear and Defend SOS Gel fragrance-free?

Yes. Neutrogena Clear and Defend SOS Gel lists no parfum or fragrance and no essential oils. Checked against its full ingredient list on November 5, 2026.

Does Neutrogena Clear and Defend SOS Gel contain silicones, sulfates or parabens?

Silicones: yes (Cyclopentasiloxane, Phenethyl Dimethicone). Sulfates: none listed. Parabens: yes (Methylparaben, Propylparaben).

Which ingredient rules does Neutrogena Clear and Defend SOS Gel pass?

Its full list passes our ingredient rules for perfume allergy, MI allergy, acne-prone skin and body acne. Key ingredients: Glycerin and Salicylic acid (BHA).