my-layers Balancing Milky Cleanser

my-layers Balancing Milky Cleanser

Efficacy50/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl betaine, Xanthan gum
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Balancing Milky Cleanser”
From product name

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

Cocamidopropyl betaineEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen~2.8–4.2%
Xanthan gumEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency~0.6–1.35%
Exfoliation
Lactic acid ~0.35–0.75%
Under-dosed
What the product description says
“With a prebiotic + probiotic blend of yogurt powder and lactobacillus ferment, this balancing formula supports beneficial bacteria while the lactic acid gently exfoliates for skin that feels clean, refreshed, nourished and ultra-soft.”
Source: My Layers

This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.

Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn 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)~0.35–0.75%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Parfum
Medium risk
We flagged 10 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Cocamidopropyl betaineHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergenHigh~2.8–4.2%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.05–0.1%est.
Isostearyl isostearateHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and improve the product texture. It can be comedogenicMedium~4.8–7.2%est.
Pentylene glycolUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product textureMedium~2.8–4.2%est.
Levulinic acidHelps stabilize a product formulationMedium~0.35–0.85%est.
Lactic acidAn 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)Medium~0.35–0.75%est.
Potassium sorbateA preservativeMedium~0.15–0.55%est.
Sodium dehydroacetateA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.45%est.
Sodium levulinateA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.4%est.
Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateUsed to improve stability of the formulationMedium~0.05–0.15%est.
Comedogenic
2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
2 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
Isostearyl isostearateHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and improve the product texture. It can be comedogenic3/5~4.8–7.2%est.
Chondrus crispus extractRed algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency3/5~1.2–1.8%est.

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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
Isostearyl isostearate~4.8–7.2%
Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
3/5

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and improve the product texture. It can be comedogenic

More about Isostearyl isostearate
Glycerin~3.6–5.3%
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
Pentylene glycol~2.8–4.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture

More about Pentylene glycol
Cocamidopropyl betaine~2.8–4.2%
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
Lactobacillus ferment~1.6–2.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-oxidationReduces irritation

A fermentation product created by bacteria Lactobacillus. The fermented product has anti-bacterial properties and might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but studies are lacking. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Can be used as a preservative

More about Lactobacillus ferment
Yogurt powder~1.4–2.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Yogurt powder
Chondrus crispus extract~1.2–1.8%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency

More about Chondrus crispus extract
Inulin~0.95–1.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-blemish

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is claimed to support the growth of "good" bacteria in skin (as a "prebiotic"), but the research is lacking

More about Inulin
Xanthan gum~0.6–1.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Maltodextrin~0.45–1.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Mattifying

Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil

More about Maltodextrin
Levulinic acid~0.35–0.85%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps stabilize a product formulation

More about Levulinic acid
Lactic acid~0.35–0.75%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
ExfoliationEvens skin toneMoisturizingAnti-aging

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 acid
Potassium sorbate~0.15–0.55%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Potassium sorbate
Sodium dehydroacetate~0.1–0.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Sodium dehydroacetate
Sodium levulinate~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Sodium levulinate
Sodium hydroxide~0.05–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to improve stability of the formulation

More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate
Parfum~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Ingredient list view

Water, Isostearyl isostearate, Glycerin, Pentylene glycol, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Lactobacillus ferment, Yogurt powder, Chondrus crispus extract, Inulin, Xanthan gum, Maltodextrin, Levulinic acid, Lactic acid, Potassium sorbate, Sodium dehydroacetate, Sodium levulinate, Sodium hydroxide, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Parfum

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My Layers
$29.00
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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
my-layersBalancing Milky CleanserYOUR PRODUCTSimpleSmoothing Gel Cleanser with 5% AHA and Hyaluronic AcidOlivalAmino GelPCA SKINFacial Wash
Match—53%52%51%
Price$29.00$10.71−$18.29—$42.00+$13.00
Shared key ingredients—3 of 73 of 72 of 7
Key difference—PanthenolAllantoinAllantoin
Irritancy Medium Low Low Low
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.