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hellobubble Fresh Start - GEL CLEANSER
hellobubble

hellobubble Fresh Start - GEL CLEANSER

Efficacy37/100IrritancyMedium
See all ingredients

Works for

Cleansing
Disodium cocoyl glutamate
Can be harsh
What the product description says
“Fresh Start , GEL CLEANSER”
From product name

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin.

Keep in mind that cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.

Disodium cocoyl glutamateEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agent~8.5–12.8%
Anti-blemish
Gluconolactone ~0.35–0.75%
Under-dosed
What the product description says
“Perfect for balancing oil production in acne-prone skin types.”
Source: Bubble

Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.

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~1.7–2.5%
GluconolactoneUnder-dosedA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals~0.35–0.75%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
11 flagged ingredients
Medium risk
We flagged 11 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Lavandula angustifolia flower water—High~2.1–3.1%est.
Ascorbic acidThe most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of agingHigh~1.4–2.2%est.
Mentha viridis leaf extract—High~0.1–0.5%est.
Disodium cocoyl glutamateHelps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agentMedium~8.5–12.8%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~1.7–2.5%est.
CaffeineMight be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyesMedium~0.9–1.35%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.55–1.25%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.4–1%est.
GluconolactoneA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicalsMedium~0.35–0.75%est.
Potassium sorbateA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.25%est.
Sodium sulfiteHelps stabilize and preserve a product formulationMedium~0.05–0.15%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
Hydrolyzed rhodophyceae extract—3/5~0.2–0.75%est.
Alternatives
Cheaper, or higher on efficacy
Space Bar Detoxifying Charcoal Underarm Bar
megababe Space Bar Detoxifying Charcoal Underarm Bar
Higher efficacy · 100/10055% match
$15.94
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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
Disodium cocoyl glutamate~8.5–12.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agent

More about Disodium cocoyl glutamate
Glycerin~3.7–5.5%
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
Acrylates/steareth-20 methacrylate copolymer~2.8–4.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Acrylates/steareth-20 methacrylate copolymer
Lavandula angustifolia flower water~2.1–3.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Lavandula angustifolia flower water
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~1.7–2.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryReduces irritationReduces rednessAntibacterialAnti-agingAnti-blemish

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
Ascorbic acid~1.4–2.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidationEvens skin toneAnti-aging

The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging

More about Ascorbic acid
Butylene glycol~1.2–1.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 glycol
Caffeine~0.9–1.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
De-puffingAnti-oxidation

Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes

More about Caffeine
Citric acid~0.55–1.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

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

More about Citric acid
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.4–1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Gluconolactone~0.35–0.75%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-agingEvens skin toneExfoliationAnti-blemishAnti-oxidation

A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals

More about Gluconolactone
Hydrolyzed rhodophyceae extract~0.2–0.75%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
More about Hydrolyzed rhodophyceae extract
Mentha viridis leaf extract~0.1–0.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Mentha viridis leaf extract
Tocopherol~0.1–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-inflammatoryAnti-agingMoisturizing

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 Tocopherol
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Potassium sorbate~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Potassium sorbate
Sodium benzoate~0.05–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate
Sodium sulfite~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps stabilize and preserve a product formulation

More about Sodium sulfite
Ingredient list view

Water, Disodium cocoyl glutamate, Glycerin, Acrylates/steareth-20 methacrylate copolymer, Lavandula angustifolia flower water, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Ascorbic acid, Butylene glycol, Caffeine, Citric acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Gluconolactone, Hydrolyzed rhodophyceae extract, Mentha viridis leaf extract, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Sodium sulfite

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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
hellobubbleFresh Start - GEL CLEANSERYOUR PRODUCTmegababeSpace Bar Detoxifying Charcoal Underarm BarSpotles SKNJelly CleanserReviumAnti Redness Sensitive Face Wash Gel
Match—55%49%45%
Price$10.00$15.94+$5.94$8.90−$1.10$30.77+$20.77
Shared key ingredients—1 of 52 of 52 of 5
Key difference—Glycolic AcidBetaineCocamidopropyl Betaine
Irritancy Medium Medium Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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More alternatives: Facetheory HydraCleanse Rebalancing Gel Cleanser | Gentle Daily Face Wash - facetheory.comDr Storm Basically Brilliant Cleanser

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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acnencbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    The Polyhydroxy Acid Gluconolactone Protects Against Ultraviolet Radiation in an In Vitro Model of Cutaneous Photoagingonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  4. 4
    Applications of hydroxy acids: classification, mechanisms, and photoactivityncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5
    The efficacy of glycolic acid, salicylic acid, gluconolactone, and licochalcone A combined with 0.1% adapalene vs adapalene monotherapy in mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris: a double-blinded within-person comparative studydovepress.com
  6. 6
    A polyhydroxy acid skin care regimen provides antiaging effects comparable to an alpha-hydroxyacid regimenncbi.nlm.nih.gov
hellobubble Fresh Start - GEL CLEANSER
hellobubbleFresh Start - GEL CLEANSER
Buy at Bubble$10.00Amazon

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Buy at Bubble$10.00Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.