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Aveeno Face Calm and Restore Gentle PHA Exfoliating Cleanser
Aveeno

Aveeno Face Calm and Restore Gentle PHA Exfoliating Cleanser

Efficacy83/100IrritancyLow·100% recommend (1 review)
See all ingredients

Works for

Cleansing
Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate + 3 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Face Calm and Restore Gentle PHA Exfoliating Cleanser”
Source: LOOKFANTASTIC

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (carbomer, glyceryl stearate, peg-100 stearate, peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil) 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.

Glyceryl stearateEffect: HighAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together~2.1–3.1%
Peg-100 stearateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture~1.7–2.6%
CarbomerEffect: HighHelps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations~0.55–1.3%
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.4–0.9%
LecithinEffect: High, below effective doseUsed mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.2–0.75%
Exfoliation
Gluconolactone, Allantoin
Works well
What the product description says
“Face Calm and Restore Gentle PHA Exfoliating Cleanser”
Source: LOOKFANTASTIC

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~2.7–4.1%
AllantoinEffect: Low, below effective doseHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.05–0.2%
Anti-blemish
Gluconolactone, Allantoin
Not delivered

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~2.7–4.1%
AllantoinEffect: Low, below effective doseHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.05–0.2%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
7 flagged ingredients
Low risk
We flag 7 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
P-anisic acidHelps preserve products. Can mask unpleasant smell. Could be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.25%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~2.7–4.1%est.
Sodium acrylates copolymerUsed to create a thicker product consistencyMedium~0.95–1.45%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.5–1.15%est.
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.4–0.9%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~0.1–0.4%est.
ChlorphenesinA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.2%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged
Alternatives
Cheaper, or higher on efficacy
Hydro Boost Fragrance Free Soothing Milk Cleanser
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Fragrance Free Soothing Milk Cleanser
Higher efficacy · 100/10063% match
$15.93
Micellar Gentle Peeling Water with 1% PHA + Glycolic Acid
Garnier Micellar Gentle Peeling Water with 1% PHA + Glycolic Acid
CheaperHigher efficacy · 100/10050% match
$7.78
View all alternatives

User reviews

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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
Helianthus annuus seed oil~5.8–8.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function

More about Helianthus annuus seed oil
Glycerin~3.6–5.3%
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
Gluconolactone~2.7–4.1%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-agingEvens skin toneExfoliationMoisturizingAnti-blemishAnti-oxidation

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
Glyceryl stearate~2.1–3.1%
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~1.7–2.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

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

More about Peg-100 stearate
Sorbitol~1.3–2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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

More about Sorbitol
Sodium hydroxide~1.2–1.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Sodium acrylates copolymer~0.95–1.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Sodium acrylates copolymer
Carbomer~0.55–1.3%
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
Caprylyl glycol~0.5–1.15%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~0.4–0.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil
Avena sativa kernel oil~0.2–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

An effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties

More about Avena sativa kernel oil
Lecithin~0.2–0.75%
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
Sodium citrate~0.1–0.4%
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
P-anisic acid~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Helps preserve products. Can mask unpleasant smell. Could be irritating

More about P-anisic acid
Allantoin~0.05–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryMoisturizingReduces irritationReduces rednessAnti-blemishExfoliation

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

More about Allantoin
Chlorphenesin~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Chlorphenesin
Ingredient list view

Water, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Sorbitol, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium acrylates copolymer, Carbomer, Caprylyl glycol, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Avena sativa kernel oil, Lecithin, Sodium citrate, P-anisic acid, Allantoin, Chlorphenesin

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🇦🇺 Amazon Australia (AU)Price as of 11/11 15:02 GMT
≈ $8.50
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🇬🇧 Amazon UK (UK)Price as of 11/8 06:24 GMT
≈ $11.07
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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
AveenoFace Calm and Restore Gentle PHA Exfoliating CleanserYOUR PRODUCTNeutrogenaHydro Boost Fragrance Free Soothing Milk CleanserGarnierMicellar Gentle Peeling Water with 1% PHA + Glycolic AcidSkingredientsPreProbiotic Cleanse
Match—63%50%47%
Price—$15.93$7.78—
Shared key ingredients—8 of 92 of 93 of 9
Key difference—Persea Gratissima OilGlycolic AcidMyristyl Myristate
Irritancy Low Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 20 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Effect of Olive and Sunflower Seed Oil on the Adult Skin Barrier: Implications for Neonatal Skin Careonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  2. 2
    Topically Applied Sunflower Seed Oil Prevents Invasive Bacterial Infections in Preterm Infants in Egyptjournals.lww.com
  3. 3
    Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  4. 4
    Impact of topical oils on the skin barrier: possible implications for neonatal health in developing countriesonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  5. 5
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. 6
    A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acnencbi.nlm.nih.gov
Aveeno Face Calm and Restore Gentle PHA Exfoliating Cleanser
AveenoFace Calm and Restore Gentle PHA Exfoliating Cleanser
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Find on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.