ADVANCED CLINICALS Vitamin C Face Cleanser

ADVANCED CLINICALS Vitamin C Face Cleanser

Efficacy50/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Cleansing
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl betaine + 7 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Vitamin C Face Cleanser”
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 (cocamidopropyl betaine, coco-glucoside, decyl glucoside, glyceryl oleate, peg-150 distearate, peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate, polysorbate 20, ppg-2 hydroxyethyl cocamide, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate) 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.

Even though this formulation is mild, the following cleansing agents could trigger an irritation or allergy for some people: cocamidopropyl betaine, coco-glucoside, decyl glucoside, glyceryl oleate, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate

Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skin~5.6–6.8%
Cocamidopropyl betaineEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen~4.3–5.3%
Peg-150 distearateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~2.2–2.7%
Decyl glucosideEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating~1.9–2.3%
Coco-glucosideEffect: HighUsed as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating~0.5–0.75%
Glyceryl oleateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating~0.45–0.65%
Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.3–0.55%
Ppg-2 hydroxyethyl cocamideEffect: High~0.25–0.5%
Polysorbate 20Effect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.1–0.2%
Exfoliation
SEA SALT
Not delivered
What the product description says
“Exfoliating formula helps to soften skin imperfections and uneven tones with Ferulic Acid.”
Source: Advanced Clinicals

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.

SEA SALTEffect: Low, below effective dose—

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
4 strong irritants: Citrus paradisi peel oil, Citrus limon peel oil + 2 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 18 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonateHelps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skinHigh~5.6–6.8%est.
Cocamidopropyl betaineHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergenHigh~4.3–5.3%est.
Decyl glucosideHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritatingHigh~1.9–2.3%est.
Ascorbic acidThe most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of agingHigh~1.6–2%est.
Citrus paradisi peel oilUsed as a fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~1.3–1.6%est.
Citrus limon peel oilA highly irritating fragranceHigh~1.1–1.3%est.
Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilAn essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial propertiesHigh~0.65–1%est.
Panax ginseng root extractA plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory properties, but solid evidence is lacking. It can be irritatingHigh~0.45–0.7%est.
Coco-glucosideUsed as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritatingHigh~0.5–0.75%est.
Glyceryl oleateHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritatingHigh~0.45–0.65%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.05%est.
Peg-150 distearateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~2.2–2.7%est.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skinMedium~0.95–1.15%est.
Cucumis sativus fruit extractMight be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effectMedium~0.5–0.75%est.
HydroxyacetophenoneUsed to increase effectiveness of preservativesMedium~0.3–0.55%est.
Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.3–0.55%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.2–0.35%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.2–0.35%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Glycerin~4.4–5.3%
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
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate~5.6–6.8%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skin

More about Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate
Cocamidopropyl betaine~4.3–5.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen

More about Cocamidopropyl betaine
Peg-150 distearate~2.2–2.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Peg-150 distearate
Decyl glucoside~1.9–2.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating

More about Decyl glucoside
Ascorbic acid~1.6–2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-agingAnti-oxidationEvens skin tone

The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging

More about Ascorbic acid
Citrus paradisi peel oil~1.3–1.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Citrus paradisi peel oil
Citrus limon peel oil~1.1–1.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A highly irritating fragrance

More about Citrus limon peel oil
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.95–1.15%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAntibacterialReduces irritationReduces rednessAnti-inflammatoryAnti-blemishAnti-aging

Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin

More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juice
Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil~0.65–1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Antibacterial

An essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties

More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil
Ferulic acid~0.55–0.85%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-agingEvens skin toneAnti-inflammatory

A potent anti-oxidant that has been shown to be effective in neutralizing free radicals in skin. There seem to have a synergetic effect of ferulic acid, vitamin E and C, meaning that when the ingredients are used together, they enhance each other's ability protect the skin against free radicals. Ferulic acid also helps to stabilize other ingredients - including vitamins C and E. It can help to even out the skin tone. Ferulic acid is approved for use as a sunscreen ingredient in Japan in concentrations up to 10%

More about Ferulic acid
Cucumis sativus fruit extract~0.5–0.75%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidationMoisturizing

Might be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect

More about Cucumis sativus fruit extract
Panax ginseng root extract~0.45–0.7%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryAnti-oxidation

A plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory properties, but solid evidence is lacking. It can be irritating

More about Panax ginseng root extract
Camellia sinensis leaf extract~0.45–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAntibacterialAnti-agingEvens skin toneAnti-blemishMoisturizing

Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation

More about Camellia sinensis leaf extract
Coco-glucoside~0.5–0.75%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Used as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating

More about Coco-glucoside
Glyceryl oleate~0.45–0.65%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating

More about Glyceryl oleate
Polyquaternium-10~0.35–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish

More about Polyquaternium-10
Hydroxyacetophenone~0.3–0.55%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to increase effectiveness of preservatives

More about Hydroxyacetophenone
Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate~0.3–0.55%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate
Ppg-2 hydroxyethyl cocamide~0.25–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Ppg-2 hydroxyethyl cocamide
Peg-12 dimethicone~0.2–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture

More about Peg-12 dimethicone
Citric acid~0.2–0.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.2–0.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Tocopherol~0.2–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationMoisturizingAnti-agingAnti-inflammatory

Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself

More about Tocopherol
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate~0.1–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps stabilize the product formulation

More about Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate
Sodium chloride~0.15–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures

More about Sodium chloride
Polysorbate 20~0.1–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polysorbate 20
Sodium hydroxide~0.05–0.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Limonene~0.05%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat

More about Limonene
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Peg-150 distearate, Decyl glucoside, Ascorbic acid, Citrus paradisi peel oil, Citrus limon peel oil, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Ferulic acid, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Panax ginseng root extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Coco-glucoside, Glyceryl oleate, Polyquaternium-10, Hydroxyacetophenone, Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate, Ppg-2 hydroxyethyl cocamide, Peg-12 dimethicone, Citric acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, Sodium chloride, Polysorbate 20, Sodium hydroxide, Limonene

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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
ADVANCED CLINICALSVitamin C Face CleanserYOUR PRODUCTmegababeSpace Bar Detoxifying Charcoal Underarm BarBlissClear Genius Clarifying Gel CleanserLöwengripAdvanced Skin Care Cell Renewal Facial Cleanser
Match—57%36%36%
Price—$15.94$12.08$49.49
Shared key ingredients—2 of 146 of 145 of 14
Key difference—Glycolic AcidSalicylic AcidSalicylic Acid
Irritancy High Medium Medium Medium
Drying alcohol————
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ADVANCED CLINICALS Vitamin C Face Cleanser
ADVANCED CLINICALSVitamin C Face Cleanser

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