MD Complete by Dr. Brian Zelickson Clarifying Cleanser
Works for
CleansingSodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl betaine + 4 moreCleanses gently
“Clarifying Cleanser”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cocamidopropyl betaine, cocamidopropylamine oxide, glycol stearate, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate) 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 c14-16 olefin sulfonate
ExfoliationSalicylic acid, Papain + 1 moreWorks well
“Natural skin-nurturing botanicals and Salicylic Acid (2%) work synergistically to exfoliate dead skin cells and remove impurities that can clog pores.”
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.
Anti-blemishSalicylic acid, Ginkgo biloba leaf extract + 1 moreWorks well
“Natural skin-nurturing botanicals and Salicylic Acid (2%) work synergistically to exfoliate dead skin cells and remove impurities that can clog pores.”
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Parfum, Diazolidinyl urea + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
C10-30 alkyl peg-20 itaconate~11–14%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate~6.3–7.7%
- 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 sulfonateCocamidopropyl betaine~5–6.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen
More about Cocamidopropyl betaineSodium lauroyl sarcosinate~3.6–4.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
More about Sodium lauroyl sarcosinateSalicylic acid~1.25–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
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 acidGlycol stearate~2.2–2.7%
Sodium citrate~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateCocamidopropylamine oxide~1.4–1.8%
Linoleamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Parfum~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumDiazolidinyl urea~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Works by releasing formaldehyde. Can be irritating
More about Diazolidinyl ureaGlycerin~0.65–1%
- 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 GlycerinLactic acid~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 acidTetrasodium edta~0.55–0.85%
Ascorbic acid~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
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 acidPanthenol~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolAmmonium hydroxide~0.55–0.8%
Algae extract~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Plant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet
More about Algae extractPanax ginseng root extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory properties, but solid evidence is lacking. It can be irritating
More about Panax ginseng root extractGinkgo biloba leaf extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation in skin. It can be irritating
More about Ginkgo biloba leaf extractCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractBisabolol~0.3–0.55%
- 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 BisabololLecithin~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinPropylene glycol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolMethylchloroisothiazolinone~0.00075–0.0015%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Is a frequent allergen in cosmetics
More about MethylchloroisothiazolinoneMethylisothiazolinone~0.00075–0.0015%
Pyrus malus fruit extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar content
More about Pyrus malus fruit extractCola acuminata seed extract~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties, but research is missing
More about Cola acuminata seed extractPapain~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
An enzyme extracted from papaya fruit. Can have an exfoliating effect on the skin. Can be irritating
More about PapainTocopheryl acetate~0.1–0.2%
- 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 acetateCi 42090~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Unknown, C10-30 alkyl peg-20 itaconate, Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, Salicylic acid, Glycol stearate, Sodium citrate, Cocamidopropylamine oxide, Linoleamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate, Parfum, Diazolidinyl urea, Glycerin, Lactic acid, Tetrasodium edta, Ascorbic acid, Panthenol, Ammonium hydroxide, Algae extract, Panax ginseng root extract, Ginkgo biloba leaf extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Bisabolol, Lecithin, Propylene glycol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Pyrus malus fruit extract, Cola acuminata seed extract, Papain, Tocopheryl acetate, Ci 42090
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| MD Complete by Dr. Brian ZelicksonClarifying CleanserYOUR PRODUCT | DCLActive Mattifying Cleanser | Face factsCeramide Blemish Foaming Cleanser | SkipperFace Wash | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 64% | 55% | 55% |
| Price | — | $32.00 | $7.82 | $37.92 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 11 of 15 | 4 of 15 | 5 of 15 |
| Key difference | — | Vitamin E | Niacinamide | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: CeraVe Gel Moussant Anti-ImperfectionsCOSRX The AHA BHA PHA LHA 35 Peel
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 20 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Final Report On the Safety Assessment of Sodium Alpha-Olefin Sulfonatesjournals.sagepub.com
- 2Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 4A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
- 5
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.