Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Cleansing
Doesn't work for:
based on ingredients and %- Anti-blemish
- Exfoliation
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: high
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 0
Key actives
Cleansing
What does the product description say?
City Life Anti-Pollution Cleansing Concentrate
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 betaine, coco-glucoside, glyceryl caprylate, glyceryl laurate, glyceryl linoleate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, 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, coco-glucoside
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
Used to create a thicker product consistency
Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen
Used as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
Helps water and oil mix together and has an anti-microbial effect helping to preserve product formulations
Helps oil and water mix together
Helps oil and water mix together
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
Anti-blemish
What does the product description say?
This is perfect for acne.
Source: Cultbeauty
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
A stable derivative of vitamin C. It is oil-soluble which means it is more likely to penetrate the skin compared to the pure form of vitamin C (which is water-soluble), but it is less bio-available and is way less effective in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles compared to the pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and its other derivatives (for example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). At the same time, this vitamin C derivative has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing acne, blemishes and clogged pores. It is less irritating then the pure form of vitamin C
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
Exfoliation
What does the product description say?
Synergising Willow Bark Extract and Phytic Acid, the effective cleanser delivers a gentle exfoliating action to buff away dead skin cells and eliminate makeup, impurities and pollutants without over-drying or uncomfortable tightness.
Source: Beauty Expert
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.
A plant extract that might contain salicylic acid
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Cleansing | |
| Exfoliation | |
| Anti-blemish |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 33/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
No comedogenic ingredients detected
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Key Actives
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
Helps oil and water mix together
Used as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating
Helps water and oil mix together and has an anti-microbial effect helping to preserve product formulations
Used to create a thicker product consistency
Potential irritants
Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen
Used as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating
An essential oil that can be very irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
Helps water and oil mix together and has an anti-microbial effect helping to preserve product formulations
A plant extract that might contain salicylic acid
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might have some antioxidant effect
A stable derivative of vitamin C. It is oil-soluble which means it is more likely to penetrate the skin compared to the pure form of vitamin C (which is water-soluble), but it is less bio-available and is way less effective in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles compared to the pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and its other derivatives (for example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). At the same time, this vitamin C derivative has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing acne, blemishes and clogged pores. It is less irritating then the pure form of vitamin C
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.
Used to improve the product consistency and stabilize formulations
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), but is mostly used to stabilize product formulations in cosmetics
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
Comedogenic ingredients
We couldn't find any comedogenic ingredients in this product
All ingredients
Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
Used as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating
Helps water and oil mix together and has an anti-microbial effect helping to preserve product formulations
A plant extract that might contain salicylic acid
A mineral that is claimed to be able to support collagen product in skin, but evidence of effectiveness is missing
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might have some antioxidant effect
An essential oil that can be very irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties
A stable derivative of vitamin C. It is oil-soluble which means it is more likely to penetrate the skin compared to the pure form of vitamin C (which is water-soluble), but it is less bio-available and is way less effective in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles compared to the pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and its other derivatives (for example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). At the same time, this vitamin C derivative has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing acne, blemishes and clogged pores. It is less irritating then the pure form of vitamin C
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.
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
Used to improve the product consistency and stabilize formulations
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), but is mostly used to stabilize product formulations in cosmetics
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
Ingredient list view
Water, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Glycerin, Betaine, Dimethyl sulfone, Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, Sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, Sodium cocoyl hydrolyzed amaranth protein, Panthenol, Coco-glucoside, Glyceryl laurate, Salix nigra bark extract, Malachite extract, Moringa oleifera seed extract, Opuntia ficus-indica stem extract, Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, Tocopheryl acetate, Glyceryl linoleate, Glyceryl linolenate, Retinyl palmitate, Benzyl alcohol, Sodium chloride, Sodium sulfate, Caprylyl glycol, Phenethyl alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Maltodextrin, Sorbitol, Lecithin, Phytic acid, Citric acid, Xanthan gum, Disodium edta, Glyceryl caprylate, Potassium sorbate, Linalool, Limonene
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulations
- Safety Assessment of Panthenol, Pantothenic Acid, and Derivatives as Used in Cosmetics
- In Vitro Assessment of Skin Irritation Potential of Surfactant-based Formulations by Using a 3-D Skin Reconstructed Tissue Model and Cytokine Response
- Allergen of the Year—Alkyl Glucoside
- Use of iron in the form of a stone extract as stimulus of the synthesis of collagen by skin fibroblasts
- Moringa oleifera Seeds and Oil: Characteristics and Uses for Human Health
- Sodium ascorbyl phosphate shows in vitro and in vivo efficacy in the prevention and treatment of acne vulgaris
- Sodium ascorbyl phosphate in topical microemulsions
- Final report of the safety assessment of L-Ascorbic Acid, Calcium Ascorbate, Magnesium Ascorbate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Ascorbate, and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate as used in cosmetics
- Regulation of collagen synthesis in human dermal fibroblasts by the sodium and magnesium salts of ascorbyl-2-phosphate
- Comparison of clinical efficacies of sodium ascorbyl phosphate, retinol and their combination in acne treatment
- Application of l-ascorbic acid and its derivatives (sodium ascorbyl phosphate and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate) in topical cosmetic formulations: stability studies
- Sodium L-ascorbyl-2-phosphate 5% lotion for the treatment of acne vulgaris: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial
- Amended Safety Assessment of Sodium Sulfate as Used in Cosmetics
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Phenethyl Alcohol
- Cosmetic and dermatologic use of alpha hydroxy acids
- Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy and Tolerability of Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Mandelic Acid, and Phytic Acid Combination Peels in Melasma