DRMTLGY Gentle Acne Cleanser

DRMTLGY Gentle Acne Cleanser

Efficacy100/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Exfoliation
Salicylic acid
Works well

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.

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%
Anti-blemish
Salicylic acid, Niacinamide
Works well
What the product description says
“Our unique blend of Salicylic Acid, a powerful acne-fighting ingredient, and nourishing botanicals clear existing acne and prevent future breakouts without over-drying your skin.”
Source: drmtlgy

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.

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%
NiacinamideUnder-dosedIs proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production~0.15–0.3%
Cleansing
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl betaine + 2 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Gentle Acne Cleanser”
Source: drmtlgy

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 laureth sulfosuccinate, glycol distearate, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate) 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

Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skin~9.8–12%
Cocamidopropyl betaineEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen~6.6–8.1%
Disodium laureth sulfosuccinateEffect: High~4.5–5.5%
Glycol distearateEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together~2.6–3.2%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
10 strong irritants: Sclareolide, Citrus aurantium dulcis oil + 8 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 20 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
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%
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonateHelps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skinHigh~9.8–12%est.
Cocamidopropyl betaineHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergenHigh~6.6–8.1%est.
SclareolideDerived from clary sage. Used as a fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~1.4–1.7%est.
Aesculus hippocastanum seed extractPlant extract. Might have some anti-oxidant properties. Can be irritatingHigh~1–1.3%est.
Arctium lappa root extractPlant extract. Has some anti-microbial and anti-oxidant properties. Can be irritatingHigh~0.5–0.75%est.
Citrus aurantium dulcis oilUsed as a fragrance. It can be irritating and cause photosensitivityHigh~0.45–0.7%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~0.35–0.65%est.
Citrus aurantifolia leaf oil—High~0.35–0.65%est.
Zingiber officinale root oilAn essential oil that is likely to be irritating and can cause photosensitivityHigh~0.25–0.5%est.
Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oilA plant oil with a high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin and lead to allergic reactions. Can lead to photosensitivityHigh~0.2–0.4%est.
Mentha piperita oilUsed as a fragrance and can be irritatingHigh~0.2–0.35%est.
Menthol—High~0.1–0.15%est.
MethylchloroisothiazolinoneA preservative. Is a frequent allergen in cosmeticsHigh~0.00075–0.0015%est.
MethylisothiazolinoneA preservative. Is a frequent allergenHigh~0.00075–0.0015%est.
Glycol distearateHelps water and oil mix togetherMedium~2.6–3.2%est.
Triticum vulgare germ extractPlant extract that might have moisturizing properties. Avoid if you suffer from wheat or gluten intoleranceMedium~1.3–1.6%est.
Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractA plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicalsMedium~0.7–1.05%est.
Olea europaea leaf extractA plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties but evidence for effectiveness in skin is missingMedium~0.55–0.85%est.
Tetrasodium edtaHelps to stabilize the product formulationMedium~0.05%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 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
Triticum vulgare germ extractPlant extract that might have moisturizing properties. Avoid if you suffer from wheat or gluten intolerance3/5~1.3–1.6%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Salicylic acid2%
Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryAnti-blemishExfoliationAntibacterialEvens 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~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate~9.8–12%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

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 sulfonate
Cocamidopropyl betaine~6.6–8.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen

More about Cocamidopropyl betaine
Disodium laureth sulfosuccinate~4.5–5.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Disodium laureth sulfosuccinate
Glycol distearate~2.6–3.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

More about Glycol distearate
Yeast extract~2–2.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-oxidationReduces irritationEvens skin tone

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and skin lightening properties. It can help calm down inflammation in skin

More about Yeast extract
Sclareolide~1.4–1.7%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Derived from clary sage. Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Sclareolide
Kaempferia galanga root extract~1.5–1.8%
Formula
Triticum vulgare germ extract~1.3–1.6%
Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

Plant extract that might have moisturizing properties. Avoid if you suffer from wheat or gluten intolerance

More about Triticum vulgare germ extract
Aesculus hippocastanum seed extract~1–1.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidation

Plant extract. Might have some anti-oxidant properties. Can be irritating

More about Aesculus hippocastanum seed extract
Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.7–1.05%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryAnti-oxidationEvens skin toneReduces rednessAntibacterial

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 extract
Olea europaea leaf extract~0.55–0.85%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties but evidence for effectiveness in skin is missing

More about Olea europaea leaf extract
Hedera helix leaf/stem extract~0.5–0.75%
Formula
Arctium lappa root extract~0.5–0.75%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidation

Plant extract. Has some anti-microbial and anti-oxidant properties. Can be irritating

More about Arctium lappa root extract
Citrus aurantium dulcis oil~0.45–0.7%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

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

More about Citrus aurantium dulcis oil
Prunus amygdalus dulcis seed~0.45–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Prunus amygdalus dulcis seed
Citrus grandis peel oil~0.35–0.65%
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 aurantifolia leaf oil~0.35–0.65%
Irritant · high
Zingiber officinale root oil~0.25–0.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An essential oil that is likely to be irritating and can cause photosensitivity

More about Zingiber officinale root oil
Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil~0.2–0.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A plant oil with a high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin and lead to allergic reactions. Can lead to photosensitivity

More about Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil
Mentha piperita oil~0.2–0.35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance and can be irritating

More about Mentha piperita oil
Panthenol~0.2–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Reduces rednessMoisturizingReduces irritation

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function

More about Panthenol
Niacinamide~0.15–0.3%
Under-dosed
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-agingEvens skin toneMoisturizingAnti-blemishReduces irritationAnti-inflammatoryReduces rednessAntibacterial

Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production

More about Niacinamide
Glycerin~0.15–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 Glycerin
Menthol~0.1–0.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Menthol
Methylchloroisothiazolinone~0.00075–0.0015%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Is a frequent allergen in cosmetics

More about Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Methylisothiazolinone~0.00075–0.0015%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Is a frequent allergen

More about Methylisothiazolinone
Tetrasodium edta~0.05%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps to stabilize the product formulation

More about Tetrasodium edta
Ingredient list view

Salicylic acid, Water, Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, Glycol distearate, Yeast extract, Sclareolide, Kaempferia galanga root extract, Triticum vulgare germ extract, Aesculus hippocastanum seed extract, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Olea europaea leaf extract, Hedera helix leaf/stem extract, Arctium lappa root extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis oil, Prunus amygdalus dulcis seed, Citrus grandis peel oil, Citrus aurantifolia leaf oil, Zingiber officinale root oil, Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil, Mentha piperita oil, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Menthol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Tetrasodium edta

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/14 12:01 GMT
$29.00
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drmtlgy
$29.00
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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
DRMTLGYGentle Acne CleanserYOUR PRODUCTBubble SkincareAll ClearAtwaterSkin Armor Facial Cleansing GelPacifica BeautyAcne Defense Face Wash
Match—86%84%82%
Price$29.00$14.97−$14.03$28.00−$1.00$10.00−$19.00
Shared key ingredients—5 of 105 of 106 of 10
Key difference—AnhydroxylitolCaffeineAllantoin
Irritancy High Low Medium High
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 21 studies and safety reviews.

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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.