Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Skin Balancing Exfoliating Cleanser
Works for
CleansingSodium cocoyl glycinate, Disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate + 7 moreCleanses gently
“A cleanser and exfoliater all in one that gently lifts away impurities to leave your complexion calm and clear.”
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 lauryl sulfosuccinate, lauric acid, myristic acid, sodium cocoyl glycinate, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, sucrose polybehenate, xanthan gum) 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 methyl cocoyl taurate
ExfoliationNo ingredient credited for this claimNot delivered
“A cleanser and exfoliater all in one that gently lifts away impurities to leave your complexion calm and clear.”
This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Glycerin~4.3–5.3%
- 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 cocoyl glycinate~4.9–6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium cocoyl glycinateDisodium lauryl sulfosuccinate~4–4.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Disodium lauryl sulfosuccinateMyristic acid~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic
More about Myristic acidSodium methyl cocoyl taurate~2.2–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agent
More about Sodium methyl cocoyl taurateSucrose polybehenate~1.6–1.9%
Cocamidopropyl betaine~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen
More about Cocamidopropyl betaineTocopherol~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 TocopherolTocopheryl acetate~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateArginine~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
More about ArginineBisabolol~0.5–0.75%
- 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 BisabololCetyl hydroxyethylcellulose~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize formulations
More about Cetyl hydroxyethylcelluloseStearic acid~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidButylene glycol~0.45–0.65%
- 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 glycolAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerPolyethylene~0.6–0.85%
Xanthan gum~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumLauric acid~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps water and oil mix together. Has anti-bacterial properties that might be helpful in preventing blemishes
More about Lauric acidDisodium edta~0.2–0.4%
Sodium chloride~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideParfum~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumBenzoic acid~0.15–0.3%
Methylparaben~0.1–0.2%
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPropylparaben~0.1–0.2%
Sorbic acid~0.1–0.2%
Chlorphenesin~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Sodium cocoyl glycinate, Disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate, Myristic acid, Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, Sucrose polybehenate, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl acetate, Arginine, Bisabolol, Cetyl hydroxyethylcellulose, Stearic acid, Butylene glycol, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Polyethylene, Xanthan gum, Lauric acid, Disodium edta, Sodium chloride, Parfum, Benzoic acid, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Propylparaben, Sorbic acid, Chlorphenesin
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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.
| Elizabeth ArdenVisible Difference Skin Balancing Exfoliating CleanserYOUR PRODUCT | Kenkou CorporationFace Wash - 3 Types | CliniqueAll About Clean™ Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser | PhilosophyNature In A Jar Gentle Detoxifying Cleanser With Agave | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 36% | 35% | 35% |
| Price | — | $42.10 | $9.12 | $27.35 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 13 | 5 of 13 | 6 of 13 |
| Key difference | — | Saccharum Officinarum Extract | Sodium Hyaluronate | Jojoba Oil |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Cetaphil Brightness Creamy Cleanser Niacinamideskintific Ceramide Low pH Cleanser Facial Wash
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 6 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
- 6
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