Works for
CleansingPolyglyceryl-3 laurate, Polyhydroxystearic acid + 3 moreCleanses gently
“Universal Cleansing Balm”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cetyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate citrate, polyglyceryl-3 laurate, polyhydroxystearic acid, 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.
Anti-blemishSide benefit · RetinolWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: retinol. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
ExfoliationSide benefit · RetinolWorks 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: retinol.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Retinol, Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~23–34%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideEthylhexyl palmitate~5.3–7.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Ethylhexyl palmitateLauryl laurate~4.6–6.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Lauryl laurateCarthamus tinctorius seed oil~3.8–5.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and might help calm down inflammation
More about Carthamus tinctorius seed oilHelianthus annuus seed oil~3–4.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilPolyglyceryl-3 laurate~2.1–3.1%
Polyhydroxystearic acid~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidHelianthus annuus seed wax~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and support skin's barrier function while creating a thicker product consistency
More about Helianthus annuus seed waxTheobroma cacao seed butter~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Theobroma cacao seed butterButyrospermum parkii butter~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterGlyceryl stearate citrate~0.8–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl stearate citrateCetyl alcohol~0.6–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholRosa canina fruit oil~0.5–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritating
More about Rosa canina fruit oilTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
More about Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateCamellia oleifera seed oil~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that does not leave a greasy finish
More about Camellia oleifera seed oilRetinol~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating
More about RetinolTocopherol~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolPolysorbate 20~0.15–0.65%
Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil with a high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin and lead to allergic reactions. Can lead to photosensitivity
More about Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oilCitrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilParfum~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Lauryl laurate, Carthamus tinctorius seed oil, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Polyglyceryl-3 laurate, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Helianthus annuus seed wax, Theobroma cacao seed butter, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Cetyl alcohol, Rosa canina fruit oil, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Camellia oleifera seed oil, Retinol, Unknown, Tocopherol, Polysorbate 20, Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Unknown, Parfum, Unknown
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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.
| Derma EUniversal Cleansing BalmYOUR PRODUCT | ClarityRxBalm It Off Nutrient Rich Pre-Cleanse | REVOLUTION SKINCARERetinol Smoothing Cream Cleanser | AXISBiome Resetting Moringa Cleansing Oil | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 91% | 79% | 72% |
| Price | — | $41.00 | — | $16.10 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 14 of 15 | 6 of 15 | 3 of 15 |
| Key difference | — | — | Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed | Pitera |
| Irritancy | High | High | Medium | High |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Adorn Cosmetics Natural Soothing Cleansing Milk | RefillableISDIN Essential Cleansing
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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