Clear Skin, Sin Manchas: Inside Neutrogena’s Evenly Clear and the Shift Beyond the Breakout

Photo: Courtesy of Neutrogena

Acne has long been viewed as a rite of passage for teenagers, something that fades with graduation photos and the onset of early adulthood. But for millions of people, it never quite disappears. Instead, it follows them forward into offices and boardrooms, onto first dates, into milestone celebrations, and across the high-definition cameras that now define everyday life.

For many adults, especially Latina and Hispanic consumers, the frustration isn’t only the breakout itself. It’s what comes after. The lingering discoloration. The “manchas”. The marks that remain long after the inflammation fades often feel harder to erase than the blemish ever was. They show up in family photos and on video calls. They quietly chip away at confidence.

It’s a reality that the skincare industry has historically treated as an afterthought.

Now, Neutrogena is betting that adulthood deserves its own solutions. The science-backed skincare leader has announced the launch of Evenly Clear, its first-ever collection formulated specifically to address the complex needs of adults with acne. The multi-benefit line is designed not only to treat active breakouts, but to visibly fade the look of post-acne marks at the same time, a distinction that feels subtle on paper, but significant in practice.

Acne remains the number one skin concern for adults under 40, with post-acne discoloration close behind. Unlike teenage breakouts, adult acne tends to arrive with higher stakes. It appears before important meetings, special events, and everyday moments where people want to feel polished and put together. It demands products that work without disrupting a busy routine, solutions that feel clinical but gentle, effective but easy to live with.

Rather than chasing trends, Neutrogena built the collection alongside dermatologists. The brand partnered with leading physicians, including Dhaval Bhanusali and Muneeb Shah, to shape formulas grounded in what they see in their practices every day: adult patients juggling stress, sensitivity, and lingering hyperpigmentation.

By engaging a community of leading dermatologists, we created a clinically proven solutions that simultaneously treats active acne and visibly fade the look of post-acne hyperpigmentation adults struggle with most, while delivering a breakthrough aesthetic experience, all at an accessible price point, says Chris Riat, Global Brand Lead for Neutrogena. And with Joey King helping bring this story to life, we’re able to connect with consumers in an authentic, relatable way.

Photo: Courtesy of Neutrogena

For the doctors involved, practicality mattered just as much as potency.

Our goal with Neutrogena was to translate what we see in our practices every day into advanced formulas that are effective and designed to meet real-life needs, says Dr. Bhanusali. Dr. Shah adds, By collaborating closely with Neutrogena, we thoughtfully co-designed this collection, from sharing formula insights to recommending ingredients and providing valuable dermatological insights. We wanted to make treating acne as an adult easy to understand and fit into busy routines.

The result is a six-product system powered by dermatologist-trusted ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, adapalene, polyhydroxy acids, and hypochlorous acid. The emphasis isn’t on aggressive treatments, but on consistent products designed to support the skin barrier and fit naturally into a morning and nighttime rutina.

The campaign leans into that lived experience. Actor Joey King, who has spoken openly about navigating acne and post-acne marks while working on camera, appears alongside Dr. Bhanusali, bringing an unfiltered honesty to the conversation. Her presence reframes skincare less as correction and more as care.

For Latina consumers, that nuance is particularly meaningful. In Miami, Colombian dermatologist Bertha Baum says she frequently sees how lingering discoloration affects her Hispanic patients.

While acne is universal, I’ve found that many of my Hispanic patients are especially frustrated by post-acne marks that can linger after a breakout heals. Treating both the acne and the discoloration is key. Neutrogena’s Evenly Clear line addresses both concerns together, offering a science-backed approach that’s effective while still being gentle enough for adult skin.

Treating both concerns together can mean fewer layers of makeup, fewer compromises, and more confidence day to day. To further ground the launch in cultural reality, the brand has also partnered with Latina creator The Real Veronika, whose humor-driven storytelling helps normalize acne and manchas as everyday adult experiences rather than flaws to hide.

For Neutrogena, Evenly Clear signals something larger than a product release. It reflects a broader shift toward skincare that recognizes adulthood as its own category, one shaped by stress, visibility, and diverse skin needs. It’s a move away from quick fixes and toward thoughtful, science-backed care that meets consumers where they actually live.

Evenly Clear doesn’t promise perfection. It promises progress. And for a generation balancing careers, caregiving, culture, and self-care all at once, that feels both realistic and overdue.