Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Cleansing
- Exfoliation
Doesn't work for:
based on ingredients and %- Anti-blemish
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: medium
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 0
Key actives
Cleansing
What does the product description say?
Skin Balancing Gel Cleanser For Combination Skin
Source: 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 hydroxysultaine, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate) 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: sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate
Used as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix together
Helps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skin
Exfoliation
What does the product description say?
With gentle PHA, this gel cleanser goes beyond clean–exfoliating and conditioning skin at the same time.
Source: Neutrogena
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.
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
Anti-blemish
What does the product description say?
Remove pore-clogging dirt and impurities while smoothing and softening skin with Neutrogena Skin Balancing Gel Cleanser.
Source: Ulta
This product contains ingredients (gluconolactone) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
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
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Cleansing | |
| Exfoliation | |
| Anti-blemish |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 83/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
No comedogenic ingredients detected
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Neutrogena Skin Balancing Gel Cleanser For Combination Skin | Current | $10.99 | |
CeraVe Renewing SA Face Cleanser for Normal Cleanser | 62% | $9.89 | |
 Barr Centella Calming Gel Cleanser | 61% | $13.00 | |
 Coola Glowing Greens Detoxifying Facial Cleansing Gel | 55% | $28.00 | |
 NEOSTRATA Clarify - Mandelic Clarifying Cleanser Gel Facial Wash | 55% | $30.90 | |
 Skinfix Barrier+ Foaming Oil Cleanser | 54% | $30.00 |
Key Actives
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
Helps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skin
Used as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix together
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Potential irritants
Helps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skin
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
Used as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix together
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
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
Comedogenic ingredients
We couldn't find any comedogenic ingredients in this product
All ingredients
Helps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skin
Used as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix together
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
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
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
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
Ingredient list view
Water, Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, Sorbitol, Gluconolactone, Sodium benzoate, Sodium hydroxide, Potassium acrylates copolymer, Disodium edta, Parfum, Glycerin, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract
- Final Report On the Safety Assessment of Sodium Alpha-Olefin Sulfonates
- A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
- The Polyhydroxy Acid Gluconolactone Protects Against Ultraviolet Radiation in an In Vitro Model of Cutaneous Photoaging
- Applications of hydroxy acids: classification, mechanisms, and photoactivity
- 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 study
- A polyhydroxy acid skin care regimen provides antiaging effects comparable to an alpha-hydroxyacid regimen
- The use of polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) in photoaged skin
- Blackwell Publishing, Ltd. Alpha-hydroxyacids and carboxylic acids
- An evaluation of a polyhydroxy acid skin care regimen in combination with azelaic acid 15% gel in rosacea patients
- Aging Skin: Causes, Treatments, and Prevention
- Clinical and cosmeceutical uses of hydroxyacids
- Polyhydroxy Acids (PHAs) Provide Conditioning Effects to Skin Without Increasing Sensitivity to UV Light
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions