Higher Education Skincare Pre-Req Purifying Facial Cleanser
Works for
ExfoliationGlycolic acidWorks well
“This purifying facial cleanser removes excess oil while also removing any leftover makeup, thanks to glycolic acid that exfoliates without stripping your skin and tea tree oil which helps keep those annoying breakouts away.”
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.
CleansingSodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Coco-betaine + 3 moreCleanses gently
“Pre-Req Purifying Facial Cleanser”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (coco-betaine, lauryl glucoside, polysorbate 80, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, sodium lauryl glucose carboxylate) 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: coco-betaine, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate
Anti-blemishGlycolic acidNot delivered
“This purifying facial cleanser removes excess oil while also removing any leftover makeup, thanks to glycolic acid that exfoliates without stripping your skin and tea tree oil which helps keep those annoying breakouts away.”
This product contains ingredients (glycolic acid) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, ParfumMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
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Water~45–55%
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate~12–14%
- Irritation risk
- High
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 sulfonateCoco-betaine~5.6–6.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Can be allergenic
More about Coco-betaineSodium lauryl glucose carboxylate~3.6–4.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agent
More about Sodium lauryl glucose carboxylateLauryl glucoside~2.4–2.9%
Glycolic acid~1.8–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
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 acidMelaleuca alternifolia leaf oil~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilBrassica oleracea capitata leaf extract~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Plant extract that might help calm down inflammation and have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Brassica oleracea capitata leaf extractDaucus carota sativa root extract~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Carrot extract. Might have anti-oxidant properties and be used to add orange color
More about Daucus carota sativa root extractCitric acid~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.5–0.7%
- 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 crosspolymerSodium chloride~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chloridePolysorbate 80~0.2–0.4%
Parfum~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumPhenoxyethanol~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolEthylhexylglycerin~0.05%
Ingredient list view
Water, Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Coco-betaine, Sodium lauryl glucose carboxylate, Lauryl glucoside, Glycolic acid, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Brassica oleracea capitata leaf extract, Daucus carota sativa root extract, Citric acid, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Sodium chloride, Polysorbate 80, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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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.
| Higher Education SkincarePre-Req Purifying Facial CleanserYOUR PRODUCT | MCoBeautySalicylic Foaming Face Cleanser - single | SAMPARWhite Velvet Mousse | NeocutisNeo-Cleanse Exfoliating Skin Cleanser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 52% | 52% | 52% |
| Price | — | $14.04 | — | $40.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 6 | 3 of 6 | 2 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Salicylic Acid | Lactic Acid | Glycerin |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: AcneFree Dermatology Inspired Care NEW Benzoyl Peroxide Deep Cleansing Foaming WashJeffree Star Cosmetics Strawberry Water Clarifying Cleanser
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 6 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Final Report On the Safety Assessment of Sodium Alpha-Olefin Sulfonatesjournals.sagepub.com
- 2
- 3Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4
- 5
- 6Effect of Brassica oleracea in rats skin wound healingresearchgate.net
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