Obagi C-CLEANSING GEL

Obagi C-CLEANSING GEL

Efficacy75/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Cleansing
Sodium laureth sulfate, Sodium lauroyl oat amino acids + 3 more
Can be harsh
What the product description says
“C-CLEANSING GEL”
Source: Obagi Medical

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin.

It contains the following cleansing agents that tend to be harsh on the skin: sodium laureth sulfate.

The following cleansing agents are typically mild, but still can cause an irritation or allergy for some people cocamidopropyl betaine.

Keep in mind that cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.

Sodium laureth sulfateEffect: HighWorks as a foaming cleansing agent~11–14%
Sodium lauroyl oat amino acidsEffect: High~5–6.1%
Cocamidopropyl betaineEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen~4.5–5.5%
SaponinsEffect: High~0.65–0.95%
Xanthan gumEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency~0.45–0.7%

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
Sodium laureth sulfateWorks as a foaming cleansing agentHigh~11–14%est.
Cocamidopropyl betaineHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergenHigh~4.5–5.5%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~1.2–1.4%est.
Ascorbic acidThe 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 agingHigh~0.15–0.25%est.
Chamomilla recutita flower extractPlant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.15%est.
Ci 19140A yellow dyeHigh~0.05%est.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceTraditionally 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 skinMedium~1.8–2.1%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~1–1.2%est.
Medicago sativa extractA plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skinMedium~0.2–0.35%est.
Ci 17200A red colorantMedium~0.05–0.1%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 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
Sodium laureth sulfateWorks as a foaming cleansing agent2/5~11–14%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Sodium laureth sulfate~11–14%
Comedogenic 2/5Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
Cleansing

Works as a foaming cleansing agent

More about Sodium laureth sulfate
Sodium lauroyl oat amino acids~5–6.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Sodium lauroyl oat amino acids
Cocamidopropyl betaine~4.5–5.5%
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
Sodium chloride~2.2–2.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures

More about Sodium chloride
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~1.8–2.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAntibacterialReduces rednessReduces irritationAnti-blemishAnti-aging

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

More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juice
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Parfum~1.2–1.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Ethylhexylglycerin~1–1.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Glycerin~0.75–1.15%
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
Saponins~0.65–0.95%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Saponins
Xanthan gum~0.45–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Borago officinalis extract~0.4–0.65%
Formula
Medicago sativa extract~0.2–0.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin

More about Medicago sativa extract
Ascorbic acid~0.15–0.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidationEvens skin toneAnti-aging

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 acid
Chamomilla recutita flower extract~0.1–0.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatory

Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating

More about Chamomilla recutita flower extract
Ci 17200~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A red colorant

More about Ci 17200
Ci 19140~0.05%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A yellow dye

More about Ci 19140
Ingredient list view

Water, Sodium laureth sulfate, Sodium lauroyl oat amino acids, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Sodium chloride, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Saponins, Xanthan gum, Borago officinalis extract, Medicago sativa extract, Ascorbic acid, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Ci 17200, Ci 19140

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/7 09:16 GMT
$50.00
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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
ObagiC-CLEANSING GELYOUR PRODUCTThe INKEY List CAGlycerin Gentle Purifying CleanserpH formulaG.E.L. Cleanse | Gel Cleanser for Senstive SkinPerricone MDHigh Potency Classics Nutritive Cleanser | PerriconeMD
Match—39%39%39%
Price$50.00$19.00−$31.00$41.72−$8.28$18.73−$31.27
Shared key ingredients—3 of 63 of 62 of 6
Key difference—Centella Asiatica ExtractLactic AcidCopper Gluconate
Irritancy Medium Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 4 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
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  4. 4

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