ACO

ACO Face Cleansing Scrub

Name: ACO - Face Cleansing Scrub
Brand: ACO

Efficacy33/100IrritancyLow

See all ingredients

Works for

Cleansing

Ceteareth-6, Glyceryl stearate + 5 more

Cleanses gently

What the product description says

“Face Cleansing Scrub”

From product name

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (carbomer, ceteareth-6, cetyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate, peg-100 stearate, stearic acid, stearyl alcohol) and should be able to cleanse the skin gently. Still keep in mind that any cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.

Ceteareth-6Effect: High~2–3%

Glyceryl stearateEffect: HighAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together~1.4–2.2%

Peg-100 stearateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture~1.3–1.9%

Stearic acidEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient~1–1.6%

Stearyl alcoholEffect: HighAn emollient that helps soften the skin~0.85–1.3%

Cetyl alcoholEffect: HighA non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together~0.55–1.3%

CarbomerEffect: HighHelps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations~0.15–0.55%

Exfoliation

Lactic acid ~0.05–0.3%, below the ~2% it needs

Under-dosed

What the product description says

“Face Cleansing Scrub”

From product name

This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.

Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)~0.05–0.3%

Anti-blemish

No ingredient credited for this claim

Not delivered

What the product description says

“Exfoliates naturally with the powdered stem of bamboo Cleanses and purifies for clearer, softer, brighter skin Helps to fight blackheads and imperfections, unblocks pores Ingredients have been carefully chosen to be mild and non-irritating to the skin For all skin types, including sensitive, dry and oily skin Fragrance, alcohol and dye free, dermatologically tested to be gentle to the skin Download Product Information”

Source: N/A

Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

4 flagged ingredients

Low risk

We flag 4 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Caprylic/capric triglycerideA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerinMedium~2.9–4.4%est.

Tocopheryl acetateA more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.Medium~0.2–0.8%est.

Lactic acidAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)Medium~0.05–0.3%est.

Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.1–0.35%est.

Comedogenic

1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale

1 flagged

These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.

IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount

Isopropyl myristateAn emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic3/5~0.45–1.05%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Bambusa arundinacea stem extract~5.9–8.8%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Bambusa arundinacea stem extract

Peg-12~3.4–5.2%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Peg-12

Caprylic/capric triglyceride~2.9–4.4%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin

More about Caprylic/capric triglyceride

Ceteareth-6~2–3%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

More about Ceteareth-6

Glycerin~1.7–2.6%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin

Glyceryl stearate~1.4–2.2%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together

More about Glyceryl stearate

Peg-100 stearate~1.3–1.9%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture

More about Peg-100 stearate

Stearic acid~1–1.6%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

CleansingMoisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient

More about Stearic acid

Stearyl alcohol~0.85–1.3%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

An emollient that helps soften the skin

More about Stearyl alcohol

Cetyl alcohol~0.55–1.3%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together

More about Cetyl alcohol

Isopropyl myristate~0.45–1.05%

Comedogenic 3/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 3/5

Works for

Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic

More about Isopropyl myristate

Tocopheryl acetate~0.2–0.8%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Anti-oxidation

A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.

More about Tocopheryl acetate

Carbomer~0.15–0.55%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations

More about Carbomer

Sodium hydroxide~0.1–0.45%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide

Lactic acid~0.05–0.3%

Under-dosedIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

ExfoliationEvens skin toneMoisturizingAnti-aging

An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)

More about Lactic acid

Caprylyl glycol~0.1–0.35%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol

Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.25%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol

Ingredient list view

Water, Bambusa arundinacea stem extract, Peg-12, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Ceteareth-6, Glycerin, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Stearic acid, Stearyl alcohol, Cetyl alcohol, Isopropyl myristate, Tocopheryl acetate, Carbomer, Sodium hydroxide, Lactic acid, Caprylyl glycol, Phenoxyethanol

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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
	ACOFace Cleansing ScrubYOUR PRODUCT	endota spaDeep Cleansing Cream	IOMAGentle Cleansing Cream	Paula's choiceResist Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser
Match	—	31%	29%	28%
Price	—	$35.11	$37.58	$12.37
Shared key ingredients	—	6 of 10	7 of 10	4 of 10
Key difference	—	Wheat Germ Oil	Anhydroxylitol	A Type Of Green Tea Extract
Irritancy	Low	Low	Low	Low
Drying alcohol	—	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop

More alternatives: Clinique All About Clean All-in-One Cleansing Micellar Milk + Makeup Remover CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 3 studies and safety reviews.

1
Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
2
Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
3
Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org

ACOFace Cleansing Scrub

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