Dr Dennis Gross AHA/BHA Daily Cleansing Gel
Works for
ExfoliationMandelic acid, Glycolic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Formulated with alpha-beta acids to exfoliate dead skin cells, this cleansing gel contains willow bark, farnesol and barosma betulina to decongest the pores, remove impurities and rid the skin of bacteria.”
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, mandelic acid.
CleansingSodium lauroyl methyl isethionate, Sodium cocoamphoacetate + 5 moreCleanses gently
“Power away dirt, oil and makeup with the help of Dr Dennis Gross AHA/BHA Daily Cleansing Gel, a gel cleanser that deeply cleans the skin while helping reduce the appearance of the pores.”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, glycereth-7 caprylate/caprate, peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, peg-7 glyceryl cocoate, polyglyceryl-3 laurate, sodium cocoamphoacetate, 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Farnesol, Alcohol + 3 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Glycerin~4.8–5.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinSodium lauroyl methyl isethionate~4.8–5.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Works as a cleansing agent
More about Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionatePropanediol~3–3.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolSodium cocoamphoacetate~2.5–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Creates foam
More about Sodium cocoamphoacetateCocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaineDisteareth-75 ipdi~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycereth-7 caprylate/caprate~1.3–1.6%
Sodium chloride~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideTrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinatePeg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilMandelic acid~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps shed the upper layer of dead cells from the surface of the skin revealing smoother, brighter skin. It can help to reduce hyperpigmentation. It has anti-bacterial properties, and might help to reduce blemishes, as well as fine lines and wrinkles. It is considered to be gentler than glycolic acid
More about Mandelic acidGlycolic acid~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
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 acidSalix alba bark extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. It contains a compound salicin that can theoretically be converted into salicylic acid that, in turn, helps reduce inflammation in skin, but the evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking and the extract is usually not used in a concentration that would enable an exfoliating effect
More about Salix alba bark extractPhytic acid~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), but is mostly used to stabilize product formulations in cosmetics
More about Phytic acidPotassium azeloyl diglycinate~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A derivative of azelaic acid. It is obtained by reacting the chloride of azelaic acid with two molecules of glycine (an amino acid) and potassium hydroxide. It is less studied than azelaic acid, but the available research suggests that it also can be effective in reducing skin redness, hyperpigmentation and blemishes. There are claims that it is more bio-available and more effective than azelaic acid, but no comparison study is available. Potassium azeloyl diglycinate is better soluble in water compared with azelaic acid. Because of this property, products with potassium azeloyl digclycinate can have a nicer texture
More about Potassium azeloyl diglycinateCitric acid~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidFarnesol~0.3–0.55%
Barosma betulina leaf extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium pca~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaSodium hyaluronate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateTremella fuciformis extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A mushroom extract that might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Tremella fuciformis extractAloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceBisabolol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololHydrolyzed soy protein~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might have some anti-aging, anti-oxidant, and skin lightening properties, but solid evidence is missing
More about Hydrolyzed soy proteinCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.25–0.45%
- 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 extractButylene glycol~0.25–0.45%
- 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 glycolCaprylic/capric triglyceride~0.3–0.55%
- 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 triglycerideDimethyl isosorbide~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to dissolve other ingredients in a product and can enhance their ability to penetrate the skin
More about Dimethyl isosorbideAlcohol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholSodium phytate~0.25–0.45%
Jasminum officinale flower/leaf extract~0.15–0.3%
Vitis vinifera fruit extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin, but is less potent than the extract from the seeds
More about Vitis vinifera fruit extractLavandula angustifolia flower/leaf/stem extract~0.2–0.35%
Eugenia caryophyllus flower extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that is used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Eugenia caryophyllus flower extractPolyglyceryl-3 laurate~0.2–0.4%
Peg-7 glyceryl cocoate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oils and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
More about Peg-7 glyceryl cocoateSodium hydroxide~0.15–0.25%
Benzoic acid~0.1–0.15%
Sodium benzoate~0.1–0.2%
Potassium sorbate~0.1–0.2%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate, Propanediol, Sodium cocoamphoacetate, Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, Disteareth-75 ipdi, Glycereth-7 caprylate/caprate, Sodium chloride, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Mandelic acid, Glycolic acid, Salix alba bark extract, Phytic acid, Potassium azeloyl diglycinate, Citric acid, Farnesol, Barosma betulina leaf extract, Sodium pca, Sodium hyaluronate, Tremella fuciformis extract, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Bisabolol, Hydrolyzed soy protein, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Butylene glycol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Dimethyl isosorbide, Alcohol, Sodium phytate, Jasminum officinale flower/leaf extract, Vitis vinifera fruit extract, Lavandula angustifolia flower/leaf/stem extract, Eugenia caryophyllus flower extract, Polyglyceryl-3 laurate, Peg-7 glyceryl cocoate, Sodium hydroxide, Benzoic acid, Sodium benzoate, Potassium sorbate, 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.
| Dr Dennis GrossAHA/BHA Daily Cleansing GelYOUR PRODUCT | DIBI MilanoWhite Science Cleansing Mousse | 111SKINNAC Y2 Restorative Cleansing Balm | SesdermaSensyses Liposomal Sebum Cleanser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 71% | 68% | 62% |
| Price | ≈ $80.50 | $52.00≈ −$28.50 | $35.10≈ −$45.40 | $14.04≈ −$66.46 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 16 | 5 of 16 | 2 of 16 |
| Key difference | — | Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate | Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | High | High |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: RoC Skincare Multi Correxion Revive GlowGel CleanserEucerin Anti-Pigment Cleansing Gel
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 23 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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