MERIT Great Skin Double Cleanse Makeup Removing Cleanser

MERIT Great Skin Double Cleanse Makeup Removing Cleanser

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Exfoliation
Gluconolactone
Works well
What the product description says
“A two-in-one makeup remover and cleanser that thoroughly removes sunscreen and makeup while providing gentle exfoliation for soft, never stripped, skin.”
Source: Sephora CA

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: gluconolactone.

GluconolactoneKey activeEffect: HighA 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~0.5–1.15%
Cleansing
Decyl glucoside, Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine + 3 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“A two-in-one makeup remover and cleanser that thoroughly removes sunscreen and makeup while providing gentle exfoliation for soft, never stripped, skin.”
Source: Sephora CA

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, decyl glucoside, sodium lauroyl oat amino acids, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, 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.

Even though this formulation is mild, the following cleansing agents could trigger an irritation or allergy for some people: decyl glucoside, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate

Decyl glucosideEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating~2.2–3.3%
Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaineEffect: HighUsed as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix together~1.7–2.6%
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agent~1.5–2.2%
Sodium lauroyl oat amino acidsEffect: High~0.3–0.75%
Xanthan gumEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency~0.1–0.3%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Sclareolide
Medium risk
We flagged 11 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Decyl glucosideHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritatingHigh~2.2–3.3%est.
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurateHelps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agentHigh~1.5–2.2%est.
SclareolideDerived from clary sage. Used as a fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.2%est.
Jojoba estersAn emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier functionMedium~4.9–7.3%est.
Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaineUsed as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix togetherMedium~1.7–2.6%est.
Sodium citrateHelps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve productsMedium~0.95–1.4%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~0.5–1.15%est.
HydroxyacetophenoneUsed to increase effectiveness of preservativesMedium~0.45–1%est.
1,2-hexanediolA preservativeMedium~0.15–0.65%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.3–0.7%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.1–0.45%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

User reviews

Would you recommend?
No community reviews yet.

Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Jojoba esters~4.9–7.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function

More about Jojoba esters
Isononyl isononanoate~3.8–5.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Forms a protective film on the surface of the skin to prevent moisture loss. Gives a velvety feel to products while reducing tackiness

More about Isononyl isononanoate
Neopentyl glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate~2.8–4.2%
Formula
Decyl glucoside~2.2–3.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating

More about Decyl glucoside
Glycerin~1.8–2.7%
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
Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine~1.7–2.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Used as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix together

More about Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate~1.5–2.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agent

More about Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate
Sodium citrate~0.95–1.4%
Irritant · medium
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 citrate
Betaine~0.8–1.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture

More about Betaine
Gluconolactone~0.5–1.15%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
ExfoliationEvens skin toneAnti-agingMoisturizingAnti-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
Hydroxyacetophenone~0.45–1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to increase effectiveness of preservatives

More about Hydroxyacetophenone
Saccharide isomerate~0.35–0.85%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Saccharide isomerate
1,2-hexanediol~0.15–0.65%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about 1,2-hexanediol
Caprylyl glycol~0.3–0.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Sodium lauroyl oat amino acids~0.3–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Sodium lauroyl oat amino acids
Citric acid~0.1–0.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

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

More about Citric acid
Caramel~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Caramel
Xanthan gum~0.1–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Sclareolide~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Derived from clary sage. Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Sclareolide
Tocopherol~0.05–0.2%
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
Bacillus ferment~0.05–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A product of bacterial fermentation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Bacillus ferment
Ingredient list view

Water, Jojoba esters, Isononyl isononanoate, Neopentyl glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, Decyl glucoside, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, Sodium citrate, Betaine, Gluconolactone, Hydroxyacetophenone, Saccharide isomerate, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Sodium lauroyl oat amino acids, Citric acid, Caramel, Xanthan gum, Sclareolide, Tocopherol, Bacillus ferment

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

Sephora
$32.00
Buy

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

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
MERITGreat Skin Double Cleanse Makeup Removing CleanserYOUR PRODUCTCeraVeBlemish Control Cleanser with Salicylic Acid & Niacinamide for Blemish-Prone SkinSpotles SKNJelly CleanserManyoOur Vegan Heartleaf Cica Cleansing Foam
Match—51%50%50%
Price$32.00$12.95−$19.05$8.90−$23.10—
Shared key ingredients—5 of 114 of 112 of 11
Key difference—NiacinamideAllantoinPotassium Cocoate
Irritancy Medium Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
View product Shop Shop Shop

More alternatives: Green People Nordic Roots Cranberry Micellar FoamExuviance Age Reverse BioActiv Wash Antiaging Foam Cleanser

Cheaper alternatives? See how this stacks up against similar formulas.
We compare ingredient profiles across our catalog — pick the closest match for your budget.
Open dupe finder

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
MERIT Great Skin Double Cleanse Makeup Removing Cleanser
MERITGreat Skin Double Cleanse Makeup Removing Cleanser

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

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.