Antipodes Juliet Brightening Cleanser

Antipodes Juliet Brightening Cleanser

Efficacy83/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Cleansing
Decyl glucoside, Coco-glucoside + 2 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Juliet Brightening Cleanser”
Source: Content

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (coco-glucoside, decyl glucoside, glyceryl oleate, xanthan gum) 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: coco-glucoside, decyl glucoside, glyceryl oleate

Decyl glucosideEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating~8.5–10.4%
Coco-glucosideEffect: HighUsed as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating~4.2–5.1%
Glyceryl oleateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating~2.3–2.8%
Xanthan gumEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency~1.5–1.8%
Exfoliation
Gluconolactone
Works well
What the product description says
“The Antipodes Juliet Skin-Brightening Gel Cleanser helps reveal clean, clear and blemish-free skin thanks to the action of natural exfoliating extracts from the New Zealand kiwi superfruit and vibrant hibiscus flower.”
Source: Content

This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: gluconolactone.

GluconolactoneKey activeEffect: HighA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals~0.7–1.05%
Anti-blemish
Gluconolactone, Camellia sinensis leaf extract
Not delivered
What the product description says
“The Antipodes Juliet Skin-Brightening Gel Cleanser helps reveal clean, clear and blemish-free skin thanks to the action of natural exfoliating extracts from the New Zealand kiwi superfruit and vibrant hibiscus flower.”
Source: Content

This product contains ingredients (gluconolactone) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.

GluconolactoneEffect: MediumA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals~0.7–1.05%
Camellia sinensis leaf extractEffect: Low, below effective doseCan 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~0.2–0.35%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
5 strong irritants: Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract + 3 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 15 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Decyl glucosideHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritatingHigh~8.5–10.4%est.
Coco-glucosideUsed as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritatingHigh~4.2–5.1%est.
Glyceryl oleateHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritatingHigh~2.3–2.8%est.
Sodium hydroxymethylglycinateA preservative. Can be irritatingHigh~0.25–0.5%est.
Chamomilla recutita flower extractPlant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritatingHigh~0.25–0.45%est.
Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extractA plant extract that can be irritating. It might contain a compound anthocyanin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicalsHigh~0.2–0.4%est.
Cinnamal—High~0.1–0.2%est.
CitralA fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritantHigh~0.1–0.15%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.05–0.15%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~1.2–1.4%est.
GluconolactoneA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicalsMedium~0.7–1.05%est.
Sodium citrateHelps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve productsMedium~0.45–0.65%est.
Potassium sorbateA preservativeMedium~0.3–0.6%est.
Simmondsia chinensis seed oilSoftens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.Medium~0.35–0.6%est.
Persea gratissima oilAn emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier functionMedium~0.3–0.55%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
Decyl glucoside~8.5–10.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating

More about Decyl glucoside
Glycerin~4.2–5.2%
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
Coco-glucoside~4.2–5.1%
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~2.3–2.8%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating

More about Glyceryl oleate
Vitis vinifera seed extract~1.9–2.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-inflammatoryAnti-agingAntibacterial

A plant extract that contains resveratrol and other anti-oxidant compounds that can help neutralize free radicals, reduce inflammation in skin and even out its tone. Can be also used to stabilize the product formulation

More about Vitis vinifera seed extract
Actinidia deliciosa fruit extract~1.7–2.1%
Formula
Xanthan gum~1.5–1.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Citric acid~1.2–1.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

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

More about Citric acid
Sclerotium gum~0.95–1.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions

More about Sclerotium gum
Gluconolactone~0.7–1.05%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
ExfoliationMoisturizingAnti-agingEvens skin toneAnti-oxidationAnti-blemish

A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals

More about Gluconolactone
Sodium benzoate~0.25–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate
Vitis vinifera seed extract~0.6–0.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-inflammatoryAnti-agingAntibacterial

A plant extract that contains resveratrol and other anti-oxidant compounds that can help neutralize free radicals, reduce inflammation in skin and even out its tone. Can be also used to stabilize the product formulation

More about Vitis vinifera seed extract
Ribes nigrum seed extract~0.5–0.8%
Formula
Rubus ursinus (boysenberry) seed extract
Not recognized
Actinidia deliciosa fruit extract~0.45–0.65%
Formula
Sodium citrate~0.45–0.65%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products

More about Sodium citrate
Potassium sorbate~0.3–0.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Potassium sorbate
Bisabolol~0.3–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Reduces irritationAnti-inflammatoryAnti-oxidation

An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties

More about Bisabolol
Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate~0.25–0.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Can be irritating

More about Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate
Simmondsia chinensis seed oil~0.35–0.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.

More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oil
Persea gratissima oil~0.3–0.55%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function

More about Persea gratissima oil
Chamomilla recutita flower extract~0.25–0.45%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatory

Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating

More about Chamomilla recutita flower extract
Phormium tenax extract~0.25–0.45%
Formula
Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract~0.2–0.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that can be irritating. It might contain a compound anthocyanin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals

More about Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract
Camellia sinensis leaf extract~0.2–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAntibacterialAnti-agingAnti-blemishEvens skin toneMoisturizing

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
Mel~0.2–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and attract water to it

More about Mel
Cinnamal~0.1–0.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Cinnamal
Citral~0.1–0.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritant

More about Citral
Limonene~0.05–0.15%
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, Decyl glucoside, Glycerin, Coco-glucoside, Glyceryl oleate, Vitis vinifera seed extract, Actinidia deliciosa fruit extract, Xanthan gum, Citric acid, Sclerotium gum, Gluconolactone, Sodium benzoate, Vitis vinifera seed extract, Ribes nigrum seed extract, Unknown, Actinidia deliciosa fruit extract, Sodium citrate, Potassium sorbate, Bisabolol, Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Persea gratissima oil, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Phormium tenax extract, Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Mel, Cinnamal, Citral, 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
AntipodesJuliet Brightening CleanserYOUR PRODUCTTypologyExfoliating Face Gel Cleanser — 5% PHA + Aloe VeraAdaptologyBreak Free CleanserNUXEReve de Miel Gel Nettoyant et Demaquillant Visage Face Cleansing and Make-Up Removing Gel
Match—61%57%57%
Price—$36.90—$20.55
Shared key ingredients—4 of 114 of 114 of 11
Key difference—InulinCoconut AcidAllantoin
Irritancy High Medium Medium Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 23 studies and safety reviews.

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Antipodes Juliet Brightening Cleanser
AntipodesJuliet Brightening Cleanser

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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.