Clinique Foaming Sonic Facial Soap

Clinique Foaming Sonic Facial Soap

Efficacy100/100IrritancyLow

Works for

Cleansing
Coco-betaine, Potassium cocoyl glycinate + 1 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Foaming Sonic Facial Soap”
Source: Sephora

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (coco-betaine, hexylene glycol, potassium cocoyl glycinate) 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: coco-betaine

Coco-betaineEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Can be allergenic~7.3–10.9%
Potassium cocoyl glycinateEffect: High~3.8–5.6%
Hexylene glycolEffect: HighHelps create a more spreadable product texture~0.15–0.6%

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
Coco-betaineHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Can be allergenicHigh~7.3–10.9%est.
Acrylates copolymerUsed to stabilize product formulation, help create an even product layer over skin (for example, in sunscreen) and create a thicker product consistencyMedium~1.7–2.5%est.
Sapindus mukorossi peel extractA plant extract that can contain saponins. Might have anti-bactrial and anti-oxidant effect in skin. Also can be used to help oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.4–2.1%est.
CaffeineMight be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyesMedium~0.95–1.45%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.35–0.8%est.
Hexylene glycolHelps create a more spreadable product textureMedium~0.15–0.6%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.15–0.55%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.1–0.45%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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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
Coco-betaine~7.3–10.9%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Can be allergenic

More about Coco-betaine
Potassium cocoyl glycinate~3.8–5.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Potassium cocoyl glycinate
Glycerin~2.8–4.1%
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
Butylene glycol~2.1–3.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Butylene glycol
Acrylates copolymer~1.7–2.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to stabilize product formulation, help create an even product layer over skin (for example, in sunscreen) and create a thicker product consistency

More about Acrylates copolymer
Sapindus mukorossi peel extract~1.4–2.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidationAntibacterial

A plant extract that can contain saponins. Might have anti-bactrial and anti-oxidant effect in skin. Also can be used to help oil and water mix together

More about Sapindus mukorossi peel extract
Dipotassium glycyrrhizate~1.2–1.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryEvens skin tone

A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening

More about Dipotassium glycyrrhizate
Caffeine~0.95–1.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
De-puffingAnti-oxidation

Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes

More about Caffeine
Polyquaternium-7~0.85–1.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish

More about Polyquaternium-7
Sodium pca~0.5–1.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer

More about Sodium pca
Sodium hyaluronate~0.4–0.95%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

More about Sodium hyaluronate
Sucrose~0.2–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In crystal form, it can work as a gentle exfoliant, gentler than the salt scrub. Helps stabilize the emulsion

More about Sucrose
Caprylyl glycol~0.35–0.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Peg-7m~0.2–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Peg-7m
Hexylene glycol~0.15–0.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps create a more spreadable product texture

More about Hexylene glycol
Citric acid~0.15–0.55%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Disodium edta~0.1–0.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Sodium benzoate~0.1–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate
Titanium dioxide~0.05–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Sun protection

Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin

More about Titanium dioxide
Ingredient list view

Water, Coco-betaine, Potassium cocoyl glycinate, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Acrylates copolymer, Sapindus mukorossi peel extract, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Caffeine, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium pca, Sodium hyaluronate, Sucrose, Caprylyl glycol, Peg-7m, Hexylene glycol, Citric acid, Disodium edta, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium benzoate, Titanium dioxide

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

Sephora
≈ $29.00
Buy
Bluemercury
$30.00
Buy
Amazon USPrice as of 11/9 03:35 GMT
$30.00
Buy

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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
CliniqueFoaming Sonic Facial SoapYOUR PRODUCTI'm fromRice Whip Facial CleanserUNPALacto Cica Mild Clear CleanserSKIN 1004.Madagascar Centella Ampoule Foam
Match—33%33%31%
Price≈ $29.00$10.27≈ −$18.73$26.50≈ −$2.50$3.41≈ −$25.59
Shared key ingredients—2 of 92 of 94 of 9
Key difference—Salicylic AcidMadecassosideCentella Asiatica Extract
Irritancy Low Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.

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Clinique Foaming Sonic Facial Soap
CliniqueFoaming Sonic Facial Soap

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

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.