What's In My Jar
Cinch Skin Cleanse + Glow Micellar Water
Cinch Skin

Cinch Skin Cleanse + Glow Micellar Water

Efficacy87/100IrritancyMedium
See all ingredients

Works for

Exfoliation
Lactic acid, Glycolic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“A hydrating makeup remover and cleanser, it’s also a classic overachiever so likes to tone and gently exfoliate while it’s at it too.”
Source: Cinch

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, lactic acid.

Lactic acidKey activeEffect: HighAn 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)~1.9–2.9%
Glycolic acidKey activeEffect: HighAn 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~0.45–1.1%
Cleansing
Poloxamer 184
Can be harsh
What the product description says
“Cleanse + Glow Micellar Water”
Source: Cinch

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin.

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.

Poloxamer 184Effect: High~5.5–8.2%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Benzophenone-4
Medium risk
We flagged 5 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Benzophenone-4Sulisobenzone. A UV filter. Is typically used to improve the product stability under exposure to UV light. It is effective against both UVA and UVB rays. It can be used is larger concentrations as a sun protection ingredient for the skin, but can be irritatingHigh~3.1–4.6%est.
Glycolic acidAn 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 acidHigh~0.45–1.1%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~1.9–2.9%est.
Potassium sorbateA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.35%est.
Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extractA plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect in skin, but evidence is lackingMedium~0.05–0.25%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged
Alternatives
Cheaper, or higher on efficacy
Gel Moussant Anti-Imperfections
CeraVe Gel Moussant Anti-Imperfections
Higher efficacy · 100/10057% match
Glycolic Exfoliating Cleanser
endota spa Glycolic Exfoliating Cleanser
Higher efficacy · 100/10057% match
$35.11
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
Poloxamer 184~5.5–8.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Poloxamer 184
Glycerin~3.4–5.1%
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
Benzophenone-4~3.1–4.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Sun protection

Sulisobenzone. A UV filter. Is typically used to improve the product stability under exposure to UV light. It is effective against both UVA and UVB rays. It can be used is larger concentrations as a sun protection ingredient for the skin, but can be irritating

More about Benzophenone-4
Lactic acid~1.9–2.9%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
ExfoliationMoisturizingEvens 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
Sodium hydroxide~1.2–1.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Glycolic acid~0.45–1.1%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-agingExfoliationEvens skin toneAnti-blemish

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 acid
Sodium benzoate~0.25–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate
Potassium sorbate~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Potassium sorbate
Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect in skin, but evidence is lacking

More about Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract
Ingredient list view

Water, Poloxamer 184, Glycerin, Benzophenone-4, Lactic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Glycolic acid, Sodium benzoate, Potassium sorbate, Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract

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Cinch
$19.95
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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
Cinch SkinCleanse + Glow Micellar WaterYOUR PRODUCTCeraVeGel Moussant Anti-Imperfectionsendota spaGlycolic Exfoliating CleanserColleen Rothschild BeautyGlycolic Acid Peel Pads with Blue Agave
Match—57%57%51%
Price$19.95—$35.11+$15.16—
Shared key ingredients—3 of 52 of 53 of 5
Key difference—Salicylic AcidMineral OilSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Irritancy Medium Low 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 8 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Benzophenone 4: An emerging allergen in cosmetics and toiletries?pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
  5. 5
    Photoprotective and antiinflammatory effects of topical glycolic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. 6
    Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Cinch Skin Cleanse + Glow Micellar Water
Cinch SkinCleanse + Glow Micellar Water
Buy at Cinch$19.95Amazon

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Buy at Cinch$19.95Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.