Functionalab Foam Cleanser

Functionalab Foam Cleanser

Efficacy100/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl betaine, Polysorbate 20
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“This soap-free cleansing foam gently removes makeup, impurities and excess sebum, while preserving the integrity of the skin barrier.”
Source: Functionalab

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cocamidopropyl betaine, polysorbate 20) 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

Cocamidopropyl betaineEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen~3.7–5.5%
Polysorbate 20Effect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~1.6–2.4%
Exfoliation
Salicylic acid, Salix nigra bark extract
Works well
What the product description says
“At the heart of this formula is salicylic acid, an active ingredient renowned for its exfoliating and purifying properties.”
Source: Functionalab

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)~0.85–1.3%
Salix nigra bark extractEffect: LowA plant extract that might contain salicylic acid~0.4–0.95%
Anti-blemish
Side benefit the brand mentions · Salicylic acid, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice
Works well
What the product description says
“Soap-free clarifying cleanser removes makeup and purifies the skin Astringent and antibacterial properties to fight against dilated pores Normalizes sebum production Combination to oily skin This soap-free clarifying cleanser removes makeup and purifies the skin of the face and neck deep down, without damaging the skin’s natural barrier.”
Source: Functionalab

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)~0.85–1.3%
Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceEffect: Low, below effective doseTraditionally 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~0.5–1.15%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
3 strong irritants: Hamamelis virginiana water, Alcohol denat. + 1 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 12 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Hamamelis virginiana waterA plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritatingHigh~3.4–5%est.
Cocamidopropyl betaineHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergenHigh~3.7–5.5%est.
Alcohol denat.Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve productsHigh~2–3%est.
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)High~0.85–1.3%est.
Chamomilla recutita flower extractPlant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritatingHigh~0.15–0.65%est.
Benzyl alcoholA preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.35%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.05–0.15%est.
Potassium sorbateA preservativeMedium~0.3–0.6%est.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceTraditionally 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 skinMedium~0.5–1.15%est.
Salix nigra bark extractA plant extract that might contain salicylic acidMedium~0.4–0.95%est.
Benzoic acidA preservativeMedium~0.25–0.5%est.
Dehydroacetic acidA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.25%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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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
Glycerin~4–5.9%
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
Hamamelis virginiana water~3.4–5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatory

A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating

More about Hamamelis virginiana water
Cocamidopropyl betaine~3.7–5.5%
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
Alcohol denat.~2–3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products

More about Alcohol denat.
Polysorbate 20~1.6–2.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polysorbate 20
Salicylic acid~0.85–1.3%
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
Sodium chloride~1.2–1.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures

More about Sodium chloride
Potassium sorbate~0.3–0.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Potassium sorbate
Sodium hydroxide~0.85–1.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.5–1.15%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryReduces irritationAntibacterialReduces rednessAnti-blemishAnti-aging

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 juice
Salix nigra bark extract~0.4–0.95%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Exfoliation

A plant extract that might contain salicylic acid

More about Salix nigra bark extract
Maltodextrin~0.35–0.85%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Mattifying

Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil

More about Maltodextrin
Benzoic acid~0.25–0.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Benzoic acid
Chamomilla recutita flower extract~0.15–0.65%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatory

Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating

More about Chamomilla recutita flower extract
Benzyl alcohol~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating

More about Benzyl alcohol
Sodium benzoate~0.1–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate
Dehydroacetic acid~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Dehydroacetic acid
Parfum~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Hamamelis virginiana water, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Alcohol denat., Polysorbate 20, Salicylic acid, Sodium chloride, Potassium sorbate, Sodium hydroxide, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Salix nigra bark extract, Maltodextrin, Benzoic acid, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Benzyl alcohol, Sodium benzoate, Dehydroacetic acid, Parfum

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Functionalab
≈ $35.37
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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
FunctionalabFoam CleanserYOUR PRODUCTPrequelTRAVEL GLEANSER + SAFace factsCeramide Blemish Foaming CleanserOh K!SOS Oil Balancing Mousse Cleanser
Match—95%93%92%
Price≈ $35.37$6.00≈ −$29.37$7.82≈ −$27.55$16.10≈ −$19.27
Shared key ingredients—4 of 43 of 43 of 4
Key difference—Zinc PcaNiacinamideAllantoin
Irritancy High Low Low Medium
Drying alcohol Contains drying alcohol ———
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Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.