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Dermalogica Precleanse Balm
Dermalogica

Dermalogica Precleanse Balm

Efficacy100/100IrritancyHigh
See all ingredients

Works for

Cleansing
Laureth-4, Glyceryl behenate + 2 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Le baume-huile nettoyant en profondeur fait fondre les impuretés et le maquillage de la peau.”
Source: Dermalogica

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (glyceryl behenate, glycol distearate, laureth-4, stearic acid) 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.

Laureth-4Effect: HighHelps water and oil mix together~3.4–5.1%
Glyceryl behenateEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency and help soften the upper layer of the skin~1.8–2.6%
Stearic acidEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient~1.1–1.6%
Glycol distearateEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together~0.4–0.95%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
9 strong irritants: Lavandula angustifolia oil, Citrus aurantium dulcis oil + 7 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 16 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Lavandula angustifolia oilAn essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial propertiesHigh~0.45–1%est.
Citrus aurantium dulcis oilUsed as a fragrance. It can be irritating and cause photosensitivityHigh~0.4–1%est.
Citrus grandis peel oilA plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skinHigh~0.4–0.95%est.
Citrus nobilis peel oilA plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skinHigh~0.4–0.9%est.
Cymbopogon schoenanthus oil—High~0.35–0.85%est.
Lavandula hybrida oilPlant extract that can be irritating and is a known allergenHigh~0.35–0.85%est.
LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.15–0.5%est.
CitralA fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritantHigh~0.1–0.45%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.1–0.45%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~22–34%est.
Laureth-4Helps water and oil mix togetherMedium~3.4–5.1%est.
Glyceryl behenateUsed to create a thicker product consistency and help soften the upper layer of the skinMedium~1.8–2.6%est.
Prunus armeniaca kernel oilAn emollient that helps soften the skinMedium~0.6–1.35%est.
Glycine soja oilA good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.Medium~0.5–1.2%est.
Glycol distearateHelps water and oil mix togetherMedium~0.4–0.95%est.
Sorbitol/sebacic acid copolymer behenateUsed to thicken the product textureMedium~0.2–0.8%est.
Comedogenic
3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
3 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Laureth-4Helps water and oil mix together2/5~3.4–5.1%est.
Hydrogenated vegetable oilAn oil from a mixture of different vegetables. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin2/5~3.9–5.9%est.
Glycine soja oilA good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.2/5~0.5–1.2%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Caprylic/capric triglyceride~22–34%
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
C12-15 alkyl benzoate~4.9–7.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth

More about C12-15 alkyl benzoate
Laureth-4~3.4–5.1%
Comedogenic 2/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

More about Laureth-4
Hydrogenated vegetable oil~3.9–5.9%
Comedogenic 2/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
Moisturizing

An oil from a mixture of different vegetables. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Hydrogenated vegetable oil
Ozokerite~2.8–4.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to thicken the product consistency

More about Ozokerite
Bis-stearyl dimethicone~2.3–3.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Bis-stearyl dimethicone
Glyceryl behenate~1.8–2.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

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

More about Glyceryl behenate
Tribehenin~1.5–2.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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

More about Tribehenin
Stearyl stearate~1.3–1.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Stearyl stearate
Stearic acid~1.1–1.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient

More about Stearic acid
Phospholipids~0.8–1.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Emollients that are naturaly present in skin. In addition, they help water and oil mix together in the product

More about Phospholipids
Prunus armeniaca kernel oil~0.6–1.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

An emollient that helps soften the skin

More about Prunus armeniaca kernel oil
Glycine soja oil~0.5–1.2%
Comedogenic 2/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
Moisturizing

A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.

More about Glycine soja oil
Lavandula angustifolia oil~0.45–1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties

More about Lavandula angustifolia oil
Citrus aurantium dulcis oil~0.4–1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance. It can be irritating and cause photosensitivity

More about Citrus aurantium dulcis oil
Citrus grandis peel oil~0.4–0.95%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skin

More about Citrus grandis peel oil
Citrus nobilis peel oil~0.4–0.9%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skin

More about Citrus nobilis peel oil
Cymbopogon schoenanthus oil~0.35–0.85%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Cymbopogon schoenanthus oil
Lavandula hybrida oil~0.35–0.85%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Plant extract that can be irritating and is a known allergen

More about Lavandula hybrida oil
Glycol distearate~0.4–0.95%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

More about Glycol distearate
Sorbitol/sebacic acid copolymer behenate~0.2–0.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to thicken the product texture

More about Sorbitol/sebacic acid copolymer behenate
Tocopherol~0.2–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationMoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-aging

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 Tocopherol
Glycolipids~0.2–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Glycolipids
Eucalyptus staigeriana branch/leaf oil~0.15–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Eucalyptus staigeriana branch/leaf oil
Glycine soja sterols~0.2–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin

More about Glycine soja sterols
Linalool~0.15–0.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Linalool
Citral~0.1–0.45%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritant

More about Citral
Limonene~0.1–0.45%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat

More about Limonene
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Ingredient list view

Caprylic/capric triglyceride, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Laureth-4, Hydrogenated vegetable oil, Ozokerite, Bis-stearyl dimethicone, Glyceryl behenate, Tribehenin, Stearyl stearate, Stearic acid, Phospholipids, Prunus armeniaca kernel oil, Glycine soja oil, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Citrus aurantium dulcis oil, Citrus grandis peel oil, Citrus nobilis peel oil, Cymbopogon schoenanthus oil, Lavandula hybrida oil, Glycol distearate, Sorbitol/sebacic acid copolymer behenate, Tocopherol, Glycolipids, Eucalyptus staigeriana branch/leaf oil, Glycine soja sterols, Linalool, Citral, Limonene, 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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
DermalogicaPrecleanse BalmYOUR PRODUCTDanuceraCerabalmBlue Lagoon Skin ScienceBL+ Cleansing BalmDr. AltheaPore Refresh Grinding Cleansing Balm
Match—31%31%31%
Price—$55.00$42.53$17.49
Shared key ingredients—3 of 93 of 92 of 9
Key difference—Zinc GluconateAlgae ExtractCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Irritancy High Medium Low Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 6 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Laureths 4 and 23journals.sagepub.com
  2. 2
    Safety Assessment of Citrus-Derived Peel Oils as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
  3. 3
    Oxidized citrus oil (R-limonene): A frequent skin sensitizer in Europesciencedirect.com
  4. 4
    Air oxidation increases skin irritation from fragrance terpenesonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  5. 5
    Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. 6
    Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
Dermalogica Precleanse Balm
DermalogicaPrecleanse Balm
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Find on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.