Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Cleansing
Doesn't work for:
based on ingredients and %- Anti-blemish
- Exfoliation
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: medium
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 2
Key actives
Cleansing
What does the product description say?
Pep-Start 2-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser
Source: 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 (carbomer, cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, disodium cocoyl glutamate, lauramidopropyl betaine, laureth-2, polysorbate 20, sodium cocoyl glutamate, sodium laureth sulfate) 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: sodium laureth sulfate
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
Used as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix together
Helps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agent
Helps oil and water mix together
Helps oil and water mix together
Works as a foaming cleansing agent
Anti-blemish
What does the product description say?
Solutions for. . Pores .
Source: Sephora CA
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
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)
Exfoliation
What does the product description say?
Pep-Start 2-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser
Source: From product name
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.
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)
An effective moisturizing ingredient that also has been shown to be effective in evening out the skin tone and reducing hyperpigmentation. It can help somewhat reduce wrinkles in skin
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Cleansing | |
| Exfoliation | |
| Anti-blemish |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 33/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Clinique Pep-Start 2-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser | Current | $14.85 | |
CeraVe Renewing SA Face Cleanser for Normal Cleanser | 79% | $9.89 | |
Peach Slices Acne Clarifying Cleanser | 79% | $10.99 | |
 Skinfix USA Acne+ 2% BHA Cleanser | 78% | $35.00 | |
 Dr. Barbara Sturm Cleanser | 77% | $50.00 | |
 CLn Skin Care CLn Acne Cleanser | 77% | $22.00 |
Key Actives
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)
An effective moisturizing ingredient that also has been shown to be effective in evening out the skin tone and reducing hyperpigmentation. It can help somewhat reduce wrinkles in skin
A seaweed extract that contains sugars and can be helpful in attracting water to the upper layers of the skin if used in high enough concentrations
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Works as a foaming cleansing agent
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
Used as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix together
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
Helps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agent
Helps oil and water mix together
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
Potential irritants
Works as a foaming cleansing agent
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)
An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating
Used to stabilize product formulation, help create an even product layer over skin (for example, in sunscreen) and create a thicker product consistency
Used as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix together
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
Helps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agent
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
Used to improve the product consistency and stabilize formulations
Comedogenic ingredients
Works as a foaming cleansing agent
A seaweed extract that contains sugars and can be helpful in attracting water to the upper layers of the skin if used in high enough concentrations
All ingredients
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Works as a foaming cleansing agent
Used to stabilize product formulation, help create an even product layer over skin (for example, in sunscreen) and create a thicker product consistency
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
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
Used as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix together
A seaweed extract that contains sugars and can be helpful in attracting water to the upper layers of the skin if used in high enough concentrations
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)
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
An effective moisturizing ingredient that also has been shown to be effective in evening out the skin tone and reducing hyperpigmentation. It can help somewhat reduce wrinkles in skin
Helps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agent
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
Used to improve the product consistency and stabilize formulations
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Sodium laureth sulfate, Silica, Acrylates copolymer, Lauramidopropyl betaine, Butylene glycol, Sucrose, Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, Carica papaya fruit extract, Bambusa arundinacea stem extract, Laminaria saccharina extract, Salicylic acid, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Caffeine, Sodium hyaluronate, Acetyl glucosamine, Sodium coco pg-dimonium chloride phosphate, Polysorbate 20, Disodium cocoyl glutamate, Citric acid, Sodium cocoyl glutamate, Laureth-2, Sodium chloride, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium sulfate, Carbomer, Monosodium citrate, Disodium edta, Edta, Bht, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Ci 15510, Ci 19140, Ci 14700
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
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- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Acrylates Copolymer and 33 Related Cosmetic Ingredients
- Amended Safety Assessment of Acrylates Copolymers as Used in Cosmetics
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- Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive review
- Beta Hydroxy Acids
- A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparations
- Glycolic Acid Peels Versus Salicylic–Mandelic Acid Peels in Active Acne Vulgaris and Post‐Acne Scarring and Hyperpigmentation: A Comparative Study
- Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging
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- The effect of N-acetyl-glucosamine on stratum corneum desquamation and water content in human skin
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- Genomic expression changes induced by topical N-acetyl glucosamine in skin equivalent cultures in vitro
- Incorporation of D-(^H)glucosamine into normal and psoriatic epidermal glycoconjugates
- Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine
- Safety Assessment of Amino Acid Alkyl Amides as Used in Cosmetics
- Irritant and sensitizing potential of eight surfactants commonly used in skin cleansers: an evaluation of 105 patients
- Amended Safety Assessment of Sodium Sulfate as Used in Cosmetics
- Analysis of Dyes in Cosmetics: Challenges and Recent Developments