Credentials Glycolic Cleanser

Credentials Glycolic Cleanser

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Cleansing
Ammonium lauryl sulfate, Cocamidopropyl betaine + 1 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Glycolic 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 (ammonium lauryl sulfate, cocamidopropyl betaine, glycol distearate) 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: ammonium lauryl sulfate, cocamidopropyl betaine

Ammonium lauryl sulfateEffect: High~9.6–14.5%
Cocamidopropyl betaineEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen~4–5.9%
Glycol distearateEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together~1.7–2.5%
Exfoliation
Glycolic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“Credentials Glycolic Cleanser is an oil-free formula that clears pores on the face and gently resurfaces the skin on the body.”
Source: Dermstore

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~4–5.9%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Rosa damascena extract
Medium risk
We flagged 8 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Ammonium lauryl sulfate—High~9.6–14.5%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~4–5.9%est.
Cocamidopropyl betaineHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergenHigh~4–5.9%est.
Rosa damascena extractOil of a very fragrant pink rose used as fragrance in cosmetics. Extensive research has shown it has mixed benefits. In the pro column, inhaling this flower’s scent seems to have relaxing properties and the plant’s petals contain skin-soothing and antioxidant compounds that can benefit skin. On the flipside, the numerous chemicals that create this rose’s distinctive fragrance pose a risk of causing skin aggravation.High~0.35–0.8%est.
Propylene glycolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritatingHigh~0.15–0.6%est.
Glycol distearateHelps water and oil mix togetherMedium~1.7–2.5%est.
Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractA plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicalsMedium~0.45–1.1%est.
ChlorphenesinA preservativeMedium~0.16–0.32%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
Ammonium lauryl sulfate~9.6–14.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing
More about Ammonium lauryl sulfate
Glycolic acid~4–5.9%
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
Cocamidopropyl betaine~4–5.9%
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~2.2–3.3%
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
Glycol distearate~1.7–2.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

More about Glycol distearate
Sodium hydroxide~1.1–1.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Camellia sinensis leaf extract~0.85–1.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAntibacterialAnti-agingAnti-blemishMoisturizingEvens skin tone

Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation

More about Camellia sinensis leaf extract
Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.45–1.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-inflammatoryEvens skin toneReduces rednessAntibacterial

A plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals

More about Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract
Rosa damascena extract~0.35–0.8%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Oil of a very fragrant pink rose used as fragrance in cosmetics. Extensive research has shown it has mixed benefits. In the pro column, inhaling this flower’s scent seems to have relaxing properties and the plant’s petals contain skin-soothing and antioxidant compounds that can benefit skin. On the flipside, the numerous chemicals that create this rose’s distinctive fragrance pose a risk of causing skin aggravation.

More about Rosa damascena extract
Propylene glycol~0.15–0.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating

More about Propylene glycol
Chlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Chlorphenesin
Methylparaben~0.05–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Methylparaben
Propylparaben~0.05–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Propylparaben
Ingredient list view

Water, Ammonium lauryl sulfate, Glycolic acid, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Glycerin, Glycol distearate, Sodium hydroxide, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Rosa damascena extract, Propylene glycol, Chlorphenesin, Methylparaben, Propylparaben

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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
CredentialsGlycolic CleanserYOUR PRODUCTPrequelGLEANSER + GLYCOLICNeocutisNeo-Cleanse Exfoliating Skin CleanserBiopelleExfoliate Cream Cleanser
Match—64%59%57%
Price—$20.00$40.00—
Shared key ingredients—4 of 63 of 64 of 6
Key difference—InulinDisodium Cocoyl GlutamateCocamide Mipa
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 7 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
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  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
    Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Credentials Glycolic Cleanser
CredentialsGlycolic Cleanser

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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.