Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash
Works for
CleansingCocamidopropyl betaine, Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate + 2 moreCleanses gently
“Clear Start Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cocamidopropyl betaine, disodium cocoamphodiacetate, polysorbate 20, sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate) 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
Anti-blemishSalicylic acid, Oleanolic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Dives deep into pores, clearing dead skin cells and trapped oils to help wipe out existing and future breakouts”
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: oleanolic acid
ExfoliationSide benefit the brand mentions · Salicylic acidWorks well
“Benefits , Salicylic Acid dives deep into pores, clearing dead skin cells and trapped oils to help wipe out existing and future breakouts.”
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 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~40–60%
Cocamidopropyl betaine~9.9–14.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen
More about Cocamidopropyl betaineSodium lauroyl methyl isethionate~4.6–6.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Works as a cleansing agent
More about Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionateAcrylates/beheneth-25 methacrylate copolymer~2.8–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polysorbate 20~1.9–2.9%
Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilCitrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilLavandula angustifolia oil~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Lavandula angustifolia oilOleanolic acid~0.95–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be helpful against blemishes, work as an anti-oxidant, reduce inflammation and improve skin's ability to hold on to moisture, but more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness when applied topically to human skin
More about Oleanolic acidButylene glycol~0.5–1.2%
- 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 glycolEnantia chlorantha bark extract~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
A bark extract that might help clam down inflammation and neutralize free radicals , but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking
More about Enantia chlorantha bark extractDisodium cocoamphodiacetate~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
More about Disodium cocoamphodiacetateSpiraea ulmaria extract~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Camellia sinensis leaf extract~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 extractPorphyra umbilicalis extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An algae extract that can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might have an anti-oxidant effect in skin but evidence is lacking
More about Porphyra umbilicalis extractGlycyrrhiza glabra rhizome/root extract~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium hydroxide~0.01–0.05%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.01–0.05%
Phenoxyethanol~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Salicylic acid, Water, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate, Acrylates/beheneth-25 methacrylate copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Oleanolic acid, Butylene glycol, Enantia chlorantha bark extract, Disodium cocoamphodiacetate, Spiraea ulmaria extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Porphyra umbilicalis extract, Glycyrrhiza glabra rhizome/root extract, Sodium hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
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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.
| DermalogicaClear Start Breakout Clearing Foaming WashYOUR PRODUCT | ExuviancePore Clarifying Cleanser | PrequelTRAVEL GLEANSER + SA | NEOSTRATAClarify Mandelic Clarifying Cleanser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 94% | 90% | 88% |
| Price | $19.50 | $37.00+$17.50 | $6.00−$13.50 | $34.00+$14.50 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 7 | 4 of 7 | 4 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Gluconolactone | Zinc Pca | Gluconolactone |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Dr. Bailey Skin Care Foaming AHA/BHA Acne Treatment CleanserOh K! SOS Oil Balancing Mousse Cleanser
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 9 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
- 5
- 6
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