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Argan Liquid Gold Gentle Exfoliating Cleansing Cream
Argan Liquid Gold

Argan Liquid Gold Gentle Exfoliating Cleansing Cream

Efficacy75/100IrritancyHigh
See all ingredients

Works for

Cleansing
Cetearyl alcohol, Cetearyl glucoside + 4 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Gentle Exfoliating Cleansing Cream”
Source: Lookfantastic

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cetearyl alcohol, cetearyl glucoside, glyceryl stearate, peg-100 stearate, polysorbate 20) 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.

Cetearyl alcoholEffect: HighA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~2.9–4.4%
Cetearyl glucosideEffect: HighHelps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture~2.4–3.6%
Peg-100 stearateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture~0.35–0.8%
Glyceryl stearateEffect: HighAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together~0.3–0.75%
Polysorbate 20Effect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.1–0.45%
LecithinEffect: High, below effective doseUsed mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.15–0.65%
Exfoliation
Tartaric acid, Lactic acid
Not delivered
What the product description says
“Gentle Exfoliating Cleansing Cream”
Source: Lookfantastic

This product might help exfoliate the skin with tartaric acid, but This ingredient is not the most effective.

Tartaric acidKey activeEffect: MediumAn AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid). It oxidizes quickly which makes it less effective in skincare formulations. It can support skin's barrier and moisture levels~0.8–1.2%
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)~0.45–1.1%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
5 strong irritants: Parfum, Limonene + 3 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 13 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.1–0.35%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.05–0.3%est.
CitralA fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritantHigh~0.05–0.2%est.
LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.15%est.
Hexyl cinnamalA fragrance with jasmine smell. A likely irritantHigh~0.05–0.15%est.
Argania spinosa kernel oilAn emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant propertiesMedium~4.9–7.4%est.
Cetearyl glucosideHelps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product textureMedium~2.4–3.6%est.
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~2.2–3.3%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~1–1.45%est.
Tartaric acidAn AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid). It oxidizes quickly which makes it less effective in skincare formulations. It can support skin's barrier and moisture levelsMedium~0.8–1.2%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~0.45–1.1%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.35%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.1–0.35%est.
Comedogenic
2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
2 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
Butyrospermum parkii butterA great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals3/5~0.45–1%est.
Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~2.9–4.4%est.
Alternatives
Cheaper, or higher on efficacy
Active Mattifying Cleanser
DCL Active Mattifying Cleanser
Higher efficacy · 100/10050% match
$32.00
View all alternatives

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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
Argania spinosa kernel oil~4.9–7.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties

More about Argania spinosa kernel oil
Cetearyl alcohol~2.9–4.4%
Comedogenic 2/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

More about Cetearyl alcohol
Cetearyl glucoside~2.4–3.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture

More about Cetearyl glucoside
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~2.2–3.3%
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
Glycerin~1.8–2.7%
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
Avena sativa meal extract~1.3–2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A type of oatmeal extract. Helps restore skin barrier and has antioxidant properties

More about Avena sativa meal extract
Nylon-12~1.3–2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create a nice product consistency

More about Nylon-12
Citric acid~1–1.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

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

More about Citric acid
Tartaric acid~0.8–1.2%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidationExfoliation

An AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid). It oxidizes quickly which makes it less effective in skincare formulations. It can support skin's barrier and moisture levels

More about Tartaric acid
Lactic acid~0.45–1.1%
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
Butyrospermum parkii butter~0.45–1%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-agingAnti-oxidation

A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals

More about Butyrospermum parkii butter
Dimethicone~0.4–0.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingMattifying

A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish

More about Dimethicone
Betaine~0.2–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture

More about Betaine
Glycerin~0.3–0.7%
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
Peg-100 stearate~0.35–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

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

More about Peg-100 stearate
Glyceryl stearate~0.3–0.75%
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
Colloidal gold~0.15–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Colloidal gold
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Lecithin~0.15–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Lecithin
Polyacrylate-13~0.15–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the product formulation

More about Polyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene~0.15–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to improve the product consistency

More about Polyisobutene
Polysorbate 20~0.1–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polysorbate 20
Parfum~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Disodium edta~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Limonene~0.05–0.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

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

More about Limonene
Citral~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritant

More about Citral
Linalool~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Linalool
Hexyl cinnamal~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance with jasmine smell. A likely irritant

More about Hexyl cinnamal
Ingredient list view

Water, Argania spinosa kernel oil, Cetearyl alcohol, Cetearyl glucoside, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Glycerin, Avena sativa meal extract, Nylon-12, Citric acid, Tartaric acid, Lactic acid, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Dimethicone, Betaine, Glycerin, Peg-100 stearate, Glyceryl stearate, Colloidal gold, Phenoxyethanol, Lecithin, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium edta, Limonene, Citral, Linalool, Hexyl cinnamal

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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
Argan Liquid GoldGentle Exfoliating Cleansing CreamYOUR PRODUCTDCLActive Mattifying Cleanserendota spaGlycolic Exfoliating CleanserPRIORI SkincareGentle Cleanser LCA fx110
Match—50%47%47%
Price—$32.00$35.11—
Shared key ingredients—2 of 153 of 154 of 15
Key difference—Salicylic AcidMineral OilSalicylic Acid
Irritancy High Medium Low Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Natural vegetable fats in the prevention of irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Control of keratinization with á-hydroxy acids and related compounds: I. Topical treatment of ichthyotic disordersjamanetwork.com
  4. 4
    Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinmdpi.com
  5. 5
    Method of treating wrinkles using tartaric acidpatents.google.com
  6. 6
    Impact of the condition of storage of tartaric acid solutions on the production and stability of glyoxylic acidsciencedirect.com
Argan Liquid Gold Gentle Exfoliating Cleansing Cream
Argan Liquid GoldGentle Exfoliating Cleansing Cream
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