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Clinicians Complex Facial Cleanser
Clinicians Complex

Clinicians Complex Facial Cleanser

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium
See all ingredients

Works for

Cleansing
Polysorbate 20, Cetyl alcohol + 2 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Facial Cleanser”
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 (ceteareth-20, cetearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, polysorbate 20) 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.

Polysorbate 20Effect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~2.6–3.9%
Cetyl alcoholEffect: HighA non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together~2.1–3.1%
Cetearyl alcoholEffect: HighA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~1.6–2.4%
Ceteareth-20Effect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties~1.2–1.8%
Exfoliation
Glycolic acid, Allantoin
Works well
What the product description says
“Powered by Glycolic Acid to help lift away dead cells, excess oils and product build-up, the light cleanser exfoliates skin whilst maintaining the natural pH balance so as not to cause irritation.”
Source: Skinstore

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.

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~5.1–7.7%
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~0.15–0.6%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Imidazolidinyl urea
Medium risk
We flagged 6 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
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~5.1–7.7%est.
Chamomilla recutita extractPlant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.5%est.
Imidazolidinyl ureaA preservative. Is more irritating than many other preservatives availableHigh~0.05–0.2%est.
Aloe barbadensis extractTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skinMedium~3.5–5.3%est.
Ceteareth-20Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient propertiesMedium~1.2–1.8%est.
Ammonium hydroxideHelps adjust the product pHMedium~0.4–0.95%est.
Comedogenic
2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
2 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
Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~1.6–2.4%est.
Ceteareth-20Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties2/5~1.2–1.8%est.
Alternatives
The closest match we found
Gel Moussant Anti-Imperfections
CeraVe Gel Moussant Anti-Imperfections
Closest match51% match
View all alternatives

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Neral~22–34%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Neral
Water~12–18%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Glycolic acid~5.1–7.7%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-agingEvens skin toneExfoliationAnti-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
Aloe barbadensis extract~3.5–5.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin

More about Aloe barbadensis extract
Gel
Not recognized
Polysorbate 20~2.6–3.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polysorbate 20
Cetyl alcohol~2.1–3.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together

More about Cetyl alcohol
Cetearyl alcohol~1.6–2.4%
Comedogenic 2/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

More about Cetearyl alcohol
Ceteareth-20~1.2–1.8%
Comedogenic 2/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties

More about Ceteareth-20
Cyamopsis tetragonoloba gum~1.2–1.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Cyamopsis tetragonoloba gum
Glycerin~0.85–1.3%
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
Ammonium hydroxide~0.4–0.95%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps adjust the product pH

More about Ammonium hydroxide
Allantoin~0.15–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryReduces rednessReduces irritationAnti-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
Chamomilla recutita extract~0.1–0.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatory

Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating

More about Chamomilla recutita extract
Methyl
Not recognized
Propylparaben~0.05–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Propylparaben
Imidazolidinyl urea~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Is more irritating than many other preservatives available

More about Imidazolidinyl urea
Ingredient list view

Neral, Water, Glycolic acid, Aloe barbadensis extract, Unknown, Polysorbate 20, Cetyl alcohol, Cetearyl alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba gum, Glycerin, Ammonium hydroxide, Allantoin, Chamomilla recutita extract, Unknown, Propylparaben, Imidazolidinyl urea

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Amazon US7.5 ounces
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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
Clinicians ComplexFacial CleanserYOUR PRODUCTREVOLUTION SKINCAREGlycolic Cleansing PadsCeraVeGel Moussant Anti-ImperfectionsPurifideBlackhead Control 2% SA Deep Exfoliating Cleanser
Match—51%51%50%
Price—$9.94——
Shared key ingredients—3 of 73 of 75 of 7
Key difference—NiacinamideSalicylic AcidSalicylic Acid
Irritancy Medium Low Low Medium
Drying alcohol————
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More alternatives: Naturium The Smoother Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body WashPrequel GLEANSER + GLYCOLIC

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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 5 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Photoprotective and antiinflammatory effects of topical glycolic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinmdpi.com
  4. 4
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5
    Profile of wound healing process induced by allantoinscielo.br
Clinicians Complex Facial Cleanser
Clinicians ComplexFacial Cleanser
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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.