Pacifica Beauty Acne Defense Face Wash
Works for
Anti-blemishSalicylic acid, Niacinamide + 3 moreWorks well
“Pacifica Acne Defense Face Wash, with maximum strength salicylic acid, is designed to deep clean pores and help eliminate blemishes.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide, salicylic acid. These ingredients is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
CleansingCocamidopropyl betaine, Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonateCleanses gently
“Acne Defense Face Wash”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cocamidopropyl betaine, 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: cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · Salicylic acid, AllantoinWorks well
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: salicylic acid.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Lavandula angustifolia flower/leaf/stem extract, Arnica montana flower extract + 3 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
3 of 3 community members would buy it again.
A good nightly cleanser to remove sunscreen and light makeup. Smells like cucumbers.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Salicylic acid2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidWater~45–55%
Cocamidopropyl betaine~11–14%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen
More about Cocamidopropyl betaineSodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate~5.5–6.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skin
More about Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonateAloe barbadensis leaf juice~2.9–3.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 juiceGlycerin~2.3–2.8%
- 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 GlycerinNiacinamide~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideCucumis sativus fruit extract~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect
More about Cucumis sativus fruit extractLavandula angustifolia flower/leaf/stem extract~1.1–1.4%
Chamomilla recutita flower extract~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Chamomilla recutita flower extractCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractArnica montana flower extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can be irritating. It can have some anti-bacterial properties, but there are no evidence of a beneficial effect for skin
More about Arnica montana flower extractSalvia officinalis oil~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Mentha piperita oil~0.3–0.55%
Panthenol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolAllantoin~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinPotassium sorbate~0.1–0.15%
Sodium benzoate~0.05%
Sodium pca~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaEthylhexylglycerin~0.05%
Parfum~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Salicylic acid, Water, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Lavandula angustifolia flower/leaf/stem extract, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Arnica montana flower extract, Salvia officinalis oil, Mentha piperita oil, Panthenol, Allantoin, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Sodium pca, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum
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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.
| Pacifica BeautyAcne Defense Face WashYOUR PRODUCT | Kmart2 in 1 Deep Gel Cleanser and Makeup Eraser - Salicylic Acid & Vitamin B3 | Kate SomervilleEradiKate™ Clarifying Acne Gel Cleanser | SkipperFace Wash | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 87% | 87% | 86% |
| Price | $10.00 | — | — | $37.92+$27.92 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 8 | 3 of 8 | 5 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Glycosyl Trehalose | Lactobacillus Ferment | Vitamin E |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Face facts Ceramide Blemish Foaming CleanserCelltone Spot Control Cleanser Gel Wash
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 3A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
- 4
- 5Final Report On the Safety Assessment of Sodium Alpha-Olefin Sulfonatesjournals.sagepub.com
- 6
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