Cetaphil ACNE RELIEF BODY WASH

Cetaphil ACNE RELIEF BODY WASH

Efficacy100/100IrritancyLow

Works for

Exfoliation
Salicylic acid, Lactic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“Acne clearing body wash with maximum concentration of OTC 2% Salicylic Acid treats acne by gently exfoliating, and eliminating blemishes Formulated with shea butter and glycerin provides 24-hour dryness relief Treats underlying causes of breakouts without over-drying skin by gently dissolving dead skin cells to help promote healthy looking skin and prevent future breakouts Dermatologist tested and specifically formulated for sensitive skin”
Source: Cetaphil

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: salicylic acid.

Salicylic acidKey activeEffect: HighUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)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)~1.1–1.7%
Anti-blemish
Salicylic acid, Lauric acid
Works well
What the product description says
“ACNE RELIEF BODY WASH”
From product name

This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.

Salicylic acidHeroEffect: HighUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)2%
Lauric acidEffect: LowHelps water and oil mix together. Has anti-bacterial properties that might be helpful in preventing blemishes~1–1.5%
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl betaine, Lauric acid + 4 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“ACNE RELIEF BODY WASH”
From product name

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cocamidopropyl betaine, lauric acid, palmitic acid, sodium lauroyl glycinate, sodium lauroyl isethionate) 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: cocamidopropyl betaine

Cocamidopropyl betaineEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen~5.5–8.3%
Lauric acidEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together. Has anti-bacterial properties that might be helpful in preventing blemishes~1–1.5%
Palmitic acidEffect: HighAn emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it~0.9–1.35%
Sodium lauroyl isethionateEffect: High~0.35–0.85%
Sodium lauroyl glycinateEffect: High~0.3–0.7%
Stearic acidEffect: High, below effective doseHelps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient~0.15–0.7%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
8 flagged ingredients
Low risk
We flag 8 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Salicylic acidUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)High2%
Benzyl alcoholA preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.5–1%est.
Cocamidopropyl betaineHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergenHigh~5.5–8.3%est.
Glycine soja oilA good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.Medium~2.5–3.8%est.
Hydroxypropyl starch phosphateHelps oil and water mix together and used to stabilize product formulationsMedium~1.3–2%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~1.1–1.7%est.
Lauric acidHelps water and oil mix together. Has anti-bacterial properties that might be helpful in preventing blemishesMedium~1–1.5%est.
Tetrasodium edtaHelps to stabilize the product formulationMedium~0.05–0.2%est.
Comedogenic
4 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
4 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 radicals3/5~6.1–9.2%est.
Lauric acidHelps water and oil mix together. Has anti-bacterial properties that might be helpful in preventing blemishes3/5~1–1.5%est.
Glycine soja oilA good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.2/5~2.5–3.8%est.
Hydrogenated soybean oil—2/5~1.8–2.6%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Salicylic acid2%
Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-blemishExfoliationAnti-inflammatoryAntibacterialEvens skin tone

Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)

More about Salicylic acid
Benzyl alcohol~0.5–1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating

More about Benzyl alcohol
Butyrospermum parkii butter~6.1–9.2%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

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
Cocamidopropyl betaine~5.5–8.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen

More about Cocamidopropyl betaine
Glycerin~3.1–4.7%
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
Glycine soja oil~2.5–3.8%
Comedogenic 2/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
Moisturizing

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 oil
Guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride~2.2–3.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps water and oil mix together and create a nice product texture

More about Guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride
Hydrogenated soybean oil~1.8–2.6%
Comedogenic 2/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
2/5
More about Hydrogenated soybean oil
Hydroxypropyl starch phosphate~1.3–2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps oil and water mix together and used to stabilize product formulations

More about Hydroxypropyl starch phosphate
Lactic acid~1.1–1.7%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingExfoliationEvens skin toneAnti-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
Lauric acid~1–1.5%
Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
CleansingAntibacterialAnti-blemish

Helps water and oil mix together. Has anti-bacterial properties that might be helpful in preventing blemishes

More about Lauric acid
Palmitic acid~0.9–1.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it

More about Palmitic acid
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

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

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate
Sodium chloride~0.4–0.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures

More about Sodium chloride
Sodium hydroxide~0.2–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Sodium lauroyl glycinate~0.3–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Sodium lauroyl glycinate
Sodium lauroyl isethionate~0.35–0.85%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Sodium lauroyl isethionate
Stearic acid~0.15–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient

More about Stearic acid
Tetrasodium edta~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps to stabilize the product formulation

More about Tetrasodium edta
Water~0.05–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Ingredient list view

Salicylic acid, Benzyl alcohol, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Glycerin, Glycine soja oil, Guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, Hydrogenated soybean oil, Hydroxypropyl starch phosphate, Lactic acid, Lauric acid, Palmitic acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium benzoate, Sodium chloride, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium lauroyl glycinate, Sodium lauroyl isethionate, Stearic acid, Tetrasodium edta, Water

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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
CetaphilACNE RELIEF BODY WASHYOUR PRODUCTPrequelTRAVEL GLEANSER + SAMedix 5.5Glycolic + Lactic AcidCeraVeGel Moussant Anti-Imperfections
Match—66%64%62%
Price—$6.00$19.99—
Shared key ingredients—3 of 113 of 113 of 11
Key difference—Zinc PcaGlycolic AcidNiacinamide
Irritancy Low Low High Low
Drying alcohol————
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Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.