Dermadoctor Ain't Misbehavin' Medicated AHA/BHA Acne Cleanser

Dermadoctor Ain't Misbehavin' Medicated AHA/BHA Acne Cleanser

Efficacy100/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Cleansing
Ammonium lauryl sulfate, Cetyl alcohol + 4 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Ain't Misbehavin' Medicated AHA/BHA Acne Cleanser”
Source: Ulta

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, arachidyl glucoside, cetyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate, peg-100 stearate, stearyl alcohol) 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

Ammonium lauryl sulfateEffect: High~1.4–2.1%
Cetyl alcoholEffect: HighA non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together~1.1–1.7%
Stearyl alcoholEffect: HighAn emollient that helps soften the skin~0.95–1.4%
Glyceryl stearateEffect: HighAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together~0.4–0.9%
Arachidyl glucosideEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.35–0.8%
Peg-100 stearateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture~0.35–0.8%
Anti-blemish
Salicylic acid, Glycolic acid + 1 more
Works well
What the product description says
“Ain't Misbehavin' Medicated AHA/BHA acne cleanser is formulated to clear blemishes and work synergistically with your daily acne control regimen.”
Source: Ulta

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.

The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: glycolic acid

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%
Glycolic acidKey activeEffect: MediumAn 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~3.3–5%
AllantoinEffect: Low, below effective doseHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.05–0.25%
Exfoliation
Glycolic acid, Salicylic acid + 1 more
Works well
What the product description says
“DERMAdoctor Ain't Misbehavin' Medicated AHA/BHA Acne Cleanser clears existing acne and prevents new blemishes with the combined exfoliating action of alpha and beta hydroxy acids.”
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, salicylic 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~3.3–5%
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%
AllantoinEffect: Low, below effective doseHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.05–0.25%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 strong irritants: Glycolic acid, Hamamelis virginiana extract — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 6 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
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~22–33%est.
Hamamelis virginiana extractA plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritatingHigh~4.3–6.5%est.
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%
Ammonium lauryl sulfate—High~1.4–2.1%est.
Caprylic/capric triglycerideA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerinMedium~0.55–1.3%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.05–0.2%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Alpha hydroxy acids
Not recognized
Glycolic acid~22–33%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-agingEvens skin toneExfoliationAnti-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
Hamamelis virginiana extract~4.3–6.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatory

A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating

More about Hamamelis virginiana extract
Salicylic acid2%
Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-blemishExfoliationAnti-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~4.2–6.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Glycolic acid~3.3–5%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
ExfoliationEvens skin toneAnti-agingAnti-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
Sodium glycolate~2.3–3.5%
Formula
Sorbitol~1.6–2.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture

More about Sorbitol
Ammonium lauryl sulfate~1.4–2.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing
More about Ammonium lauryl sulfate
Cetyl alcohol~1.1–1.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together

More about Cetyl alcohol
Stearyl alcohol~0.95–1.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

An emollient that helps soften the skin

More about Stearyl alcohol
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~0.55–1.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

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 triglyceride
Arachidyl alcohol~0.55–1.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency

More about Arachidyl alcohol
Behenyl alcohol~0.45–1.05%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient

More about Behenyl alcohol
Arachidyl glucoside~0.35–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Arachidyl glucoside
Glyceryl stearate~0.4–0.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together

More about Glyceryl stearate
Peg-100 stearate~0.35–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture

More about Peg-100 stearate
Hamamelis virginiana extract~0.15–0.55%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatory

A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating

More about Hamamelis virginiana extract
Methyl methacrylate/glycol dimethacrylate crosspolymer~0.15–0.55%
Formula
Allantoin~0.05–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryMoisturizingReduces irritationReduces rednessAnti-blemishExfoliation

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

More about Allantoin
Disodium edta~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Methylparaben~0.05–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Methylparaben
Propylparaben~0.05–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Propylparaben
Ingredient list view

Unknown, Glycolic acid, Hamamelis virginiana extract, Salicylic acid, Water, Glycolic acid, Sodium glycolate, Sorbitol, Ammonium lauryl sulfate, Cetyl alcohol, Stearyl alcohol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Arachidyl alcohol, Behenyl alcohol, Arachidyl glucoside, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Hamamelis virginiana extract, Methyl methacrylate/glycol dimethacrylate crosspolymer, Allantoin, Disodium edta, Methylparaben, Propylparaben

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/11 21:28 GMT
$29.93
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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
DermadoctorAin't Misbehavin' Medicated AHA/BHA Acne CleanserYOUR PRODUCTPurifideBlackhead Control 2% SA Deep Exfoliating CleanserNeutrogenaOil-Free Acne Stress Control Power-Cream WashElizabeth GrantWonder Effect Triple Action Cleanser
Match—86%83%82%
Price$29.93—$9.49−$20.44$16.00−$13.93
Shared key ingredients—5 of 103 of 106 of 10
Key difference—Linoleic AcidPanthenolPanthenol
Irritancy High Medium Medium High
Drying alcohol——— Contains drying alcohol
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Dermadoctor Ain't Misbehavin' Medicated AHA/BHA Acne Cleanser
DermadoctorAin't Misbehavin' Medicated AHA/BHA Acne Cleanser

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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.