Growing up, when it comes to acne, there’s lots of talk about bacterial and fungal breakouts, hormonal acne and how pimples are a normal part of teenage life. Less discussed though is that acne doesn’t just disappear at a certain age, never to return again. In fact, adult acne is much more common than many realize, affecting more than 25 percent of women and 12 percent of men in their 40s.
“Treating adult acne is fundamentally different from treating teen acne because the skin itself is different,” says New York dermatologist Jeannette Graf, MD. “In teenagers, acne is primarily fueled by puberty-related oil production. In adults, especially women, breakouts are often more hormonally driven and tied to menstrual cycles and stress. Adult acne also tends to appear along the jawline and chin and is more likely to present as deeper, cystic, inflammatory lesions.”
Despite such large numbers of adults dealing with it, there has been much less focus on skin care created especially for adult acne until now. Neutrogena has launched its newest collection called Evenly Clear, which is the brand’s first-ever acne product line created for adults and its first-ever time co-designing the line with dermatologists.
“We thought about the types of patients we see in the offices and the gaps in what was available,” says Neutrogena Global Innovation Partner and New York City dermatologist Dhaval Bhanusali, MD. “From there, we took unique ingredient profiles and deliveries and helped create the six‑product collection. We utilized some of our favorites like salicylic acid, polyhydroxy acids, N-acetyl glucosamine, benzoyl peroxide, hypochlorous acid and other gentle, yet effective, ingredients and built formulas to support the overall efficacy of the products.”
Evenly Clear features a six-product lineup and is the brand’s first dual-benefit portfolio, meaning that the products aren’t designed just to treat adult acne, but they also are meant to visibly fade the look of post-acne marks like scars and hyperpigmentation and address other common skin care concerns that come with acne-prone skin. This makes it the only mass market acne range to simultaneously target breakouts and fade the look of post-acne marks.
“Adult skin is known to produce less collagen, have slower cell turnover, and is more prone to dryness and sensitivity,” says Dr. Graf. “That means aggressive, oil-stripping treatments commonly used for teen acne can compromise the skin barrier and worsen inflammation in adults. Treatment strategies need to balance efficacy with barrier support.”
While non-comedogenic moisturizers paired with acne-fighting actives are key, they also need to address signs of aging since adults are often managing both. “Ingredients like retinoids are particularly valuable because they address breakouts while also improving texture, tone, and fine lines,” says Dr. Graf. Neutrogena kept all this in mind in creating the line, collaborating with its board-certified dermatologist partners Dr. Bhanusali and Muneeb Shah, DO as well as a broader community of other leading dermatologists.
The six products range from a cleanser and moisturizer to a retinoid treatment and clarifying spray. Per the brand, they’re clinically proven to deliver acne-fighting results while keeping the skin barrier intact. With the entirety of the line, users can cleanse, even, renew and moisturize skin.
“Adult patients often want results without irritation, and products that fit seamlessly into busy, real-life routines,” says Dr. Bhanusali. “Our goal with Neutrogena Evenly Clear was to translate what we see in our practices every day into advanced formulas that are effective, gentle and designed to meet those real-life needs.”
Neutrogena’s Evenly Clear Acne Cleanser ($17) is a gel-to-foam formula with both 2 percent salicylic acid and 2 percent PHA (polyhydroxy acid) in addition to the brand’s proprietary MicroClear technology. Meanwhile, Evenly Clear Gel Moisturizer ($17) is a lightweight, non-greasy formula that features salicylic acid and 2 percent n-acetyl glucosamine to strengthen the skin barrier, reduce acne-causing bacteria and prevent future breakouts.
