No7 Beautiful Skin Purifying Exfoliator - Normal to Oily
Works for
CleansingSodium laureth sulfate, Cocamidopropyl betaine + 1 moreCleanses gently
“Deeply cleans, purifies and unclogs pores.”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cocamidopropyl betaine, peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, sodium laureth sulfate) 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 laureth sulfate
Anti-blemishZinc pcaNot delivered
“Deeply cleans, purifies and unclogs pores.”
This product contains ingredients (zinc pca) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
ExfoliationSEA SALTNot delivered
“Beautiful Skin Purifying Exfoliator .”
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Parfum, Alcohol + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Sodium laureth sulfate~11–13%
- Irritation risk
- High
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Works as a foaming cleansing agent
More about Sodium laureth sulfateGlycerin~4.2–5.2%
- 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 GlycerinCocamidopropyl betaine~4.5–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen
More about Cocamidopropyl betaineHydrated silica~2.5–3%
Acrylates/palmeth-25 acrylate copolymer~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSodium chloride~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideParfum~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumPeg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilSodium hydroxide~0.7–1.1%
Hydrogenated jojoba oil~0.7–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated jojoba oilPotassium sorbate~0.3–0.6%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.55–0.8%
- 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 acetateSodium methylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Alcohol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholCitric acid~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidAscorbyl glucoside~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
More about Ascorbyl glucosideDipropylene glycol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolSodium pca~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaHamamelis virginiana water~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
More about Hamamelis virginiana waterDisodium phosphate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps adjust the product pH and stabilize the formulation
More about Disodium phosphatePotassium hydroxide~0.2–0.35%
Magnesium pca~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Magnesium pcaZinc pca~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
More about Zinc pcaManganese pca~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Often used as a part of an ingredient complex Physiogenyl together with Sodium PCA, Magnesium PCA and Zinc PCA. The manufacturer claims that it does more than attracting water, but there is no evidence or studies supporting this claim
More about Manganese pcaCi 77289~0.05–0.15%
Chromium hydroxide green~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Sodium laureth sulfate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Hydrated silica, Acrylates/palmeth-25 acrylate copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium chloride, Parfum, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Sodium hydroxide, Hydrogenated jojoba oil, Potassium sorbate, Tocopheryl acetate, Sodium methylparaben, Alcohol, Citric acid, Ascorbyl glucoside, Dipropylene glycol, Sodium pca, Hamamelis virginiana water, Disodium phosphate, Potassium hydroxide, Magnesium pca, Zinc pca, Manganese pca, Ci 77289, Chromium hydroxide green
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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.
| No7Beautiful Skin Purifying Exfoliator - Normal to OilyYOUR PRODUCT | Clean & ClearMorning Burst Hydrating Facial Cleanser | PayotPerfecting Foaming Gel | NorevaAquareva Moisturizing Foaming Gel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 36% | 36% | 36% |
| Price | — | $5.37 | $32.30 | $15.51 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 11 | 4 of 11 | 4 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | Mannitol | Coconut Acid | Inulin |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud Cleansing GelKiehl's s Ultra Facial Cleanser
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 7 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2
- 3
- 4The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Healthncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6
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