Works for
ExfoliationGlycolic acidWorks well
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: glycolic acid.
CleansingSodium laureth sulfate, Disodium laureth sulfosuccinate + 6 moreCan be harsh
“Bioactive Cleanser”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin.
It contains the following cleansing agents that tend to be harsh on the skin: sodium laureth sulfate.
The following cleansing agents are typically mild, but still can cause an irritation or allergy for some people cocamidopropyl betaine, decyl glucoside.
Keep in mind that cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.
Anti-blemishGlycolic acid, Camellia sinensis leaf extract + 1 moreNot delivered
This product contains ingredients (glycolic acid) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy14 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Sodium laureth sulfate~11–14%
- Irritation risk
- High
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Works as a foaming cleansing agent
More about Sodium laureth sulfateDisodium laureth sulfosuccinate~6.2–7.6%
Glycerin~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 GlycerinDecyl glucoside~2.5–3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideCocamidopropyl betaine~2.6–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen
More about Cocamidopropyl betaineCocamide mea~1.7–2%
Glycol distearate~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glycol distearateCetyl hydroxyethylcellulose~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize formulations
More about Cetyl hydroxyethylcellulosePeg-7 glyceryl cocoate~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oils and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
More about Peg-7 glyceryl cocoateTocopheryl acetate~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 acetateCitrus aurantium dulcis seed extract~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Malus domestica fruit extract~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Malus domestica fruit extractCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 extractGlycolic acid~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
More about Glycolic acidSodium ascorbyl phosphate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A stable derivative of vitamin C. It is oil-soluble which means it is more likely to penetrate the skin compared to the pure form of vitamin C (which is water-soluble), but it is less bio-available and is way less effective in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles compared to the pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and its other derivatives (for example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). At the same time, this vitamin C derivative has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing acne, blemishes and clogged pores. It is less irritating then the pure form of vitamin C
More about Sodium ascorbyl phosphateCannabis sativa seed oil~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that due to its high linoleic acid content can help strengthen skin's barrier function and soften its upper layer
More about Cannabis sativa seed oilCitrus grandis~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Citrus grandis extract~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Sorbitol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about SorbitolXanthan gum~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumDmdm hydantoin~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative that releases formaldehyde and can be irritating
More about Dmdm hydantoinIngredient list view
Water, Sodium laureth sulfate, Disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, Glycerin, Decyl glucoside, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Cocamide mea, Glycol distearate, Cetyl hydroxyethylcellulose, Peg-7 glyceryl cocoate, Tocopheryl acetate, Citrus aurantium dulcis seed extract, Malus domestica fruit extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Glycolic acid, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, Unknown, Cannabis sativa seed oil, Citrus grandis, Citrus grandis extract, Sorbitol, Xanthan gum, Dmdm hydantoin
Compare prices
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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.
| BiophoraBioactive CleanserYOUR PRODUCT | MesoesteticBrightening Foam | PrequelGLEANSER + GLYCOLIC | Exuviance ProfessionalPurifying Cleansing Gel Homecare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 56% | 53% | 52% |
| Price | — | $30.54 | $20.00 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 13 | 5 of 13 | 5 of 13 |
| Key difference | — | Lactic Acid | Inulin | Gluconolactone |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Eucerin DermoPure Triple Effect Cleansing GelAcneFree Dermatology Inspired Care NEW Benzoyl Peroxide Deep Cleansing Foaming Wash
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6
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