Facetheory Clarifying Cleanser C2 Pro

Facetheory Clarifying Cleanser C2 Pro

Efficacy100/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Anti-blemish
Salicylic acid, Glycolic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid and exfoliates by penetrating deep into the pore.”
Source: Facetheory US

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: glycolic acid

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%
Glycolic acidKey activeEffect: MediumAn 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 acid4%
Cleansing
Cetyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate + 3 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Clarifying Cleanser C2 Pro”
From product name

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cetyl alcohol, glyceryl caprylate, glyceryl stearate, quillaja saponaria bark extract, 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.

Cetyl alcoholEffect: HighA non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together~2.3–3.5%
Glyceryl stearateEffect: HighAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together~1.8–2.7%
Quillaja saponaria bark extractEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together~0.9–1.35%
Glyceryl caprylateEffect: HighAn emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products~0.5–1.1%
Xanthan gumEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency~0.3–0.7%
Exfoliation
Glycolic acid, Salicylic acid + 1 more
Works well
What the product description says
“Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid and exfoliates by penetrating deep into the pore.”
Source: Facetheory US

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, salicylic acid.

Glycolic acidKey activeEffect: HighAn 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 acid4%
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%
Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)1%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
3 strong irritants: Citrus nobilis peel oil, Limonene + 1 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 13 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Glycolic acidAn 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 acidHigh4%
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%
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~0.05–0.25%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh0.97%
LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh0.01%
BhaHelps preserve the product formulationMedium~1–1.5%est.
Quillaja saponaria bark extractHelps water and oil mix togetherMedium~0.9–1.35%est.
Lactic acidAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)Medium1%
Sodium salicylateThe salt of salicylic acid. Helps exfoliate the upper layer of the skin. Can also work to preserve cosmetic productsMedium~0.25–0.5%est.
Polyglyceryl-6 behenateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.35–0.85%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.15–0.6%est.
Potassium sorbateA preservativeMedium~0.15–0.55%est.
Sorbic acidA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.35%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
Cocos nucifera oilAn emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic3/5~2.2–3.2%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Dimethyl isosorbide~6.1–9.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to dissolve other ingredients in a product and can enhance their ability to penetrate the skin

More about Dimethyl isosorbide
Sucrose~3.6–5.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In crystal form, it can work as a gentle exfoliant, gentler than the salt scrub. Helps stabilize the emulsion

More about Sucrose
Cetyl alcohol~2.3–3.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together

More about Cetyl alcohol
Cocos nucifera oil~2.2–3.2%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic

More about Cocos nucifera oil
Fatty acid
Not recognized
Glyceryl stearate~1.8–2.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together

More about Glyceryl stearate
Polyglyceryl-6 stearate~1.5–2.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Polyglyceryl-6 stearate
Sodium glycolate~1.3–1.9%
Formula
Salt of
Not recognized
Glycolic acid4%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Evens skin toneExfoliationAnti-agingAnti-blemish

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 acid
Bha~1–1.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps preserve the product formulation

More about Bha
Quillaja saponaria bark extract~0.9–1.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

More about Quillaja saponaria bark extract
Lactic acid1%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
ExfoliationMoisturizingEvens skin toneAnti-aging

An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)

More about Lactic acid
Sodium salicylate~0.25–0.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-aging

The salt of salicylic acid. Helps exfoliate the upper layer of the skin. Can also work to preserve cosmetic products

More about Sodium salicylate
Salt of
Not recognized
Salicylic acid2%
Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-blemishAnti-inflammatoryExfoliationAntibacterialEvens 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
Glyceryl caprylate~0.5–1.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products

More about Glyceryl caprylate
Cetyl hydroxyethylcellulose~0.4–0.95%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize formulations

More about Cetyl hydroxyethylcellulose
Polyglyceryl-6 behenate~0.35–0.85%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polyglyceryl-6 behenate
Xanthan gum~0.3–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Citric acid~0.15–0.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Potassium sorbate~0.15–0.55%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Potassium sorbate
Salt of
Not recognized
Sorbic acid~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Sorbic acid
Citrus nobilis peel oil~0.05–0.25%
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
Limonene0.97%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

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

More about Limonene
Linalool0.01%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Linalool
Ingredient list view

Water, Dimethyl isosorbide, Sucrose, Cetyl alcohol, Cocos nucifera oil, Unknown, Glyceryl stearate, Polyglyceryl-6 stearate, Sodium glycolate, Unknown, Glycolic acid, Bha, Quillaja saponaria bark extract, Lactic acid, Sodium salicylate, Unknown, Salicylic acid, Glyceryl caprylate, Cetyl hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyglyceryl-6 behenate, Xanthan gum, Citric acid, Potassium sorbate, Unknown, Sorbic acid, Citrus nobilis peel oil, Limonene, Linalool

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Facetheory US
$24.00
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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
FacetheoryClarifying Cleanser C2 ProYOUR PRODUCTCeraVeGel Moussant Anti-ImperfectionsCOSRXThe AHA BHA PHA LHA 35 PeelPurifideBlackhead Control 2% SA Deep Exfoliating Cleanser
Match—80%78%75%
Price$24.00—$10.46−$13.54—
Shared key ingredients—4 of 103 of 105 of 10
Key difference—NiacinamideGluconolactoneLinoleic Acid
Irritancy High Low Medium Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Facetheory Clarifying Cleanser C2 Pro
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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.