Is Neutrogena Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Face Scrub 125mL Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Safe?
High concern Standard: Fungal Acne (Malassezia)
Fails safety standards
2 of 30 flagged (1 high-risk, 1 watchlist) — Score 5.5/10
Cosmetiqly Score 5.5/10
Flagged ingredients & clinical citations (2)
The following ingredients in this formulation conflict with Fungal Acne (Malassezia) standards:
Polysorbate 60 HIGH Concern
Monostearate ester providing C18 saturated fatty acid substrates supporting fungal growth.
Citation: Mayser P, Grimmig D, Krämer HJ. Different utilization of neutral lipids by Malassezia furfur and Malassezia sympodialis. Med Mycol. 1998;36(6):395-402.
Cetyl Alcohol MODERATE Concern
C16 fatty alcohol; generally tolerated in mild cases, flagged as a moderate watchlist item in active folliculitis flares.
Citation: Rubenstein RM, Malerich SA. Malassezia (pityrosporum) folliculitis. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014;7(3):37-41.
Complete INCI formulation (30 ingredients)
Deduplicated| # | Ingredient | Status for Fungal Acne (Malassezia) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Water | Pass |
| 2 | Cetyl Alcohol | Flagged (MODERATE) |
| 3 | PPG-15 Stearyl Ether | Pass |
| 4 | Cellulose | Pass |
| 5 | Glycerin | Pass |
| 6 | Polysorbate 60 | Flagged (HIGH) |
| 7 | Salicylic Acid | Pass |
| 8 | Steareth-21 | Pass |
| 9 | C12-15 Alkyl Lactate | Pass |
| 10 | Glycolic Acid | Pass |
| 11 | Cetyl Lactate | Pass |
| 12 | Potassium Cetyl Phosphate | Pass |
| 13 | Sodium Hydroxide | Pass |
| 14 | Xanthan Gum | Pass |
| 15 | Cocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate | Pass |
| 16 | Disodium EDTA | Pass |
| 17 | Fragrance | Pass |
| 18 | Menthol | Pass |
| 19 | Benzalkonium Chloride | Pass |
| 20 | Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate | Pass |
| 21 | Agar | Pass |
| 22 | BHT | Pass |
| 23 | Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate | Pass |
| 24 | CI 77492 (Iron Oxides) | Pass |
| 25 | Mica | Pass |
| 26 | CI 19140 (Yellow 5) | Pass |
| 27 | Titanium Dioxide | Pass |
| 28 | CI 73360 (Red 30) | Pass |
| 29 | CI 16035 (Red 40) | Pass |
| 30 | CI 77491 (Iron Oxides) | Pass |
Evaluated alternative Moisturizer options (10/10 Score)
The following formulations in this category have been individually evaluated and contain zero Fungal Acne (Malassezia) flags:
Other safety checks for Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Face Scrub 125mL
Data Provenance & Reviewer Information
- Data Source: Open Beauty Facts · Barcode:
0062600300973(Verify on Source) - Last Data Verification: 2026-11-13
- Editorial Supervisor: Cosmetiqly Research Team, Editorial Team
- Report an Error: If an ingredient list is inaccurate, submit a correction with product packaging proof (72-hour SLA).
Important Disclaimer: This review is an automated toxicological and dermatological screening for educational purposes. It is not medical or dermatological advice. Chemical safety depends on user skin condition and exact concentration. Always patch-test new products.