Curology Acne Body Wash

Curology Acne Body Wash

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Cleansing
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl betaine + 4 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Acne Body Wash”
Source: Curology

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cocamidopropyl betaine, cocamidopropyl dimethylamine, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyglyceryl-4 caprate, polyglyceryl-6 caprylate, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate) 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: cocamidopropyl betaine, cocamidopropyl dimethylamine, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate

Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skin~11–13%
Cocamidopropyl betaineEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen~4.8–5.8%
Cocamidopropyl dimethylamineEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Can work as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating~2.4–3%
Polyglyceryl-4 caprateEffect: High~2–2.4%
Polyglyceryl-6 caprylateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~1.5–1.9%
Hydroxypropyl methylcelluloseEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation~1.4–1.7%
Anti-blemish
Salicylic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“We’ve got body acne handled.”
Source: Curology

This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.

Salicylic acidHeroEffect: HighUsed 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)2%
Exfoliation
Side benefit · Salicylic acid
Works well

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: salicylic acid.

Salicylic acidKey activeEffect: HighUsed 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)2%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil
Medium risk
We flagged 9 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Salicylic acidUsed 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)High2%
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonateHelps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skinHigh~11–13%est.
Cocamidopropyl betaineHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergenHigh~4.8–5.8%est.
Cocamidopropyl dimethylamineHelps oil and water mix together. Can work as a cleansing agent. Can be irritatingHigh~2.4–3%est.
Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilAn essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial propertiesHigh~0.1–0.15%est.
Polyglyceryl-6 caprylateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.5–1.9%est.
Hydroxypropyl methylcelluloseUsed to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulationMedium~1.4–1.7%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.2–0.4%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.05%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Salicylic acid2%
Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
ExfoliationAnti-blemishAnti-inflammatoryAntibacterialEvens skin tone

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)

More about Salicylic acid
Water~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate~11–13%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skin

More about Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate
Glycerin~5.3–6.5%
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
Cocamidopropyl betaine~4.8–5.8%
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
Cocamidopropyl dimethylamine~2.4–3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can work as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating

More about Cocamidopropyl dimethylamine
Polyglyceryl-4 caprate~2–2.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Polyglyceryl-4 caprate
Polyglyceryl-6 caprylate~1.5–1.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polyglyceryl-6 caprylate
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose~1.4–1.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation

More about Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Sodium chloride~0.95–1.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures

More about Sodium chloride
Zinc pyrithione~0.25–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatory

Might be helpful in calming down inflammation and restoring skin barrier function. It can be helpful in managing seborrheic dermatitis

More about Zinc pyrithione
Sodium hydroxide~0.4–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Polyquaternium-7~0.5–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

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

More about Polyquaternium-7
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.2–0.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil~0.1–0.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Antibacterial

An essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties

More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil
Disodium edta~0.05%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Sodium benzoate~0.05–0.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate
Ingredient list view

Salicylic acid, Water, Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Cocamidopropyl dimethylamine, Polyglyceryl-4 caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 caprylate, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium chloride, Zinc pyrithione, Sodium hydroxide, Polyquaternium-7, Ethylhexylglycerin, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Disodium edta, Sodium benzoate

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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
CurologyAcne Body WashYOUR PRODUCTPrequelTRAVEL GLEANSER + SANeutrogenaBody Clear Scrub With Salicylic AcidThe INKEY List CASalicylic Acid Cleanser
Match—93%89%89%
Price—$6.00$9.99$12.07
Shared key ingredients—4 of 94 of 93 of 9
Key difference—Zinc Pca—Betaine
Irritancy Medium Low Medium Low
Drying alcohol————
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Curology Acne Body Wash
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