Burt's Bees Renewal Refining Cleanser with Bakuchiol Natural Retinol Alternative
Works for
CleansingCetyl alcohol, Stearyl alcohol + 7 moreCleanses gently
“REFINING CLEANSER: Nourishing face wash provides a deep cleanse and gently exfoliates to reveal smoother healthy-looking skin with nature's most powerful ingredients; Packaging may vary”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cetyl alcohol, glyceryl laurate, glyceryl stearate citrate, polyglyceryl-4 caprate, sodium lauroyl glutamate, sodium lauroyl lactylate, stearic acid, stearyl alcohol, 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.
ExfoliationLactic acid ~0.15–0.6%Under-dosed
“REFINING CLEANSER: Nourishing face wash provides a deep cleanse and gently exfoliates to reveal smoother healthy-looking skin with nature's most powerful ingredients; Packaging may vary”
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.
Anti-blemishSide benefit · BakuchiolMay help
This product might be able to help reduce blemishes and clogged pores because it contains bakuchiol.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Parfum, Eugenol + 3 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Cetyl alcohol~4.7–7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholStearyl alcohol~3.7–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholGlycerin~2.8–4.2%
- 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 GlycerinHelianthus annuus seed oil~2.2–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 oilCopernicia cerifera wax~1.8–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Copernicia cerifera waxPolyglyceryl-4 caprate~1.5–2.2%
Sodium lauroyl glutamate~1.2–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used as a cleansing agent. It creates foam
More about Sodium lauroyl glutamateStearic acid~1.2–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidCocos nucifera oil~0.9–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic
More about Cocos nucifera oilGlyceryl stearate citrate~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl stearate citrateIsoamyl laurate~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps stabilize emulsions and create a nice product texture
More about Isoamyl laurateGlyceryl laurate~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together and has an anti-microbial effect helping to preserve product formulations
More about Glyceryl laurateZea mays starch~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Used to thicken the product's consistency
More about Zea mays starchBakuchiol~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that is, though different in chemical structure, acts similar to retinoids. First studies show that it can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin tone, reduce clogged pores and blemishes, and reduce inflammation. There is no conclusive evidence that bakuchiol is as effective as retinol however. The study that directly compared retinol with bakuchiol used bakuchiol applied twice daily compared to once per day for the retinol. According to this study, bakuchiol is less irritating than retinol. Bakuchiol is extracted from seeds of Babchi plant. Other parts of the plant contain coumarins that could cause allergic and irritant reactions. These compounds should be removed in the extraction process when bakuchiol is produced, but it is a good idea to be cautious and stay away from products that include the Babchi plant extracts other than purified bakuchiol to avoid irritation
More about BakuchiolTocopherol~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 TocopherolGlycine soja oil~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
More about Glycine soja oilXanthan gum~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumLactic acid~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 acidMagnesium aluminum silicate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be helpful in restoring skin barrier function and, when combined with zinc carbonate and malonic acid, reducing fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating elastin production. Also helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Magnesium aluminum silicateSodium lauroyl lactylate~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Sodium lauroyl lactylateParfum~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumPhenoxyethanol~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolEugenol~0.1–0.3%
Geraniol~0.05–0.3%
Limonene~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.05–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Water, Cetyl alcohol, Stearyl alcohol, Glycerin, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Copernicia cerifera wax, Polyglyceryl-4 caprate, Sodium lauroyl glutamate, Stearic acid, Cocos nucifera oil, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Isoamyl laurate, Glyceryl laurate, Zea mays starch, Bakuchiol, Tocopherol, Glycine soja oil, Xanthan gum, Lactic acid, Magnesium aluminum silicate, Sodium lauroyl lactylate, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Eugenol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool
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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.
| Burt's BeesRenewal Refining Cleanser with Bakuchiol Natural Retinol AlternativeYOUR PRODUCT | Alpyn BeautyHydrating Cold Cream Cleanser | SkinMedicaPore Purifying Gel Cleanser | Derma EVitamin C Daily Brightening Cleanser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 88% | 78% | 77% |
| Price | $10.99 | $31.20+$20.21 | — | $15.84+$4.85 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 16 | 3 of 16 | 3 of 16 |
| Key difference | — | Salicylic Acid | Salicylic Acid | Retinol |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Arencia Green Tea + LHA Deep Pore Foaming Cleanser for Acne-Prone SkinOARS + ALPS Anti-Everything Solid Face Wash
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 5
- 6Bakuchiol in the Management of Acne-affected Skinresearchgate.net
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