Works for
CleansingSodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl betaine + 5 moreCleanses gently
“Dermalogica Active Clearing Skin Wash (formerly MediBac Clearing Clearing Skin Wash) is a non-irritating, naturally foaming cleanser for oily and blemish-prone skin types.”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cocamidopropyl betaine, peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate, peg-3 glyceryl cocoate, peg-6 caprylic/capric glycerides, quillaja saponaria bark extract, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, sodium lauroyl oat amino acids) 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, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate
ExfoliationSalicylic acid, Lactic acidWorks well
“Salicylic acid promotes the natural exfoliation of dead skin cells which may clog pores and lead to blemishes.”
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.
Anti-blemishSide benefit the brand mentions · Salicylic acidWorks well
“Active Clearing Skin Wash”
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy9 strong irritants: Melissa officinalis leaf extract, Arnica montana flower extract + 7 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Salicylic acid0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
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 acidWater~45–55%
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate~9.8–11.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
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 sulfonateCocamidopropyl betaine~6.6–8.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen
More about Cocamidopropyl betainePeg-3 glyceryl cocoate~3.3–4%
Sodium lauroyl oat amino acids~2.6–3.2%
Melissa officinalis leaf extract~2–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that is added for its fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Melissa officinalis leaf extractQuillaja saponaria bark extract~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Quillaja saponaria bark extractEchinacea purpurea extract~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties. Can be irritating
More about Echinacea purpurea extractArnica montana flower extract~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can be irritating. It can have some anti-bacterial properties, but there are no evidence of a beneficial effect for skin
More about Arnica montana flower extractCitrus aurantium bergamia fruit extract~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Arctium majus root extract~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Calendula officinalis flower extract~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritating
More about Calendula officinalis flower extractChamomilla recutita flower extract~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Chamomilla recutita flower extractEucalyptus globulus leaf extract~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Eucalyptus globulus leaf extractTaraxacum officinale rhizome/root extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Taraxacum officinale rhizome/root extractHydrastis canadensis extract~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 extractCitrus limon peel extract~0.45–0.65%
Silybum marianum fruit extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilSodium pca~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaLactic acid~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidCamphor~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Menthol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Butylene glycol~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about Butylene glycolPeg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearatePeg-6 caprylic/capric glycerides~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps dissolve other ingredients
More about Peg-6 caprylic/capric glyceridesTetrasodium edta~0.15–0.25%
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCaprylyl glycol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolChlorphenesin~0.1–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Salicylic acid, Water, Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Peg-3 glyceryl cocoate, Sodium lauroyl oat amino acids, Melissa officinalis leaf extract, Quillaja saponaria bark extract, Echinacea purpurea extract, Arnica montana flower extract, Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit extract, Arctium majus root extract, Calendula officinalis flower extract, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract, Taraxacum officinale rhizome/root extract, Hydrastis canadensis extract, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Citrus limon peel extract, Silybum marianum fruit extract, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Sodium pca, Lactic acid, Camphor, Menthol, Butylene glycol, Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate, Peg-6 caprylic/capric glycerides, Tetrasodium edta, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Chlorphenesin, 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.
| DermalogicaActive Clearing Skin WashYOUR PRODUCT | DCLActive Mattifying Cleanser | CeraVeGel Moussant Anti-Imperfections | EVY TechnologyDaily Cleanser Mousse | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 82% | 77% | 76% |
| Price | $72.00 | $32.00−$40.00 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 10 | 2 of 10 | 2 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Panthenol | Niacinamide | Glycolic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Low | High |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: COSRX The AHA BHA PHA LHA 35 PeelOne Love Organics Botanical A Facial Cleanser
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 3A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
- 4
- 5Final Report On the Safety Assessment of Sodium Alpha-Olefin Sulfonatesjournals.sagepub.com
- 6
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