Parnell Cicamanu pH Balanced Gel Cleanser

Parnell Cicamanu pH Balanced Gel Cleanser

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Cleansing
Potassium cocoyl glycinate, Lauryl hydroxysultaine + 2 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Cicamanu p H Balanced Gel Cleanser”
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 (coco-glucoside, lauryl hydroxysultaine, potassium cocoyl glycinate) 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: coco-glucoside

Potassium cocoyl glycinateEffect: High~4.8–7.2%
Lauryl hydroxysultaineEffect: High~4.3–6.5%
Coco-glucosideEffect: HighUsed as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating~0.4–1%
Hydrogenated lecithinEffect: High, below effective doseHelps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.~0.05–0.25%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 strong irritants: Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil
Medium risk
We flagged 16 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Salicylic acidUsed 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)High~0.45–1.1%est.
Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilAn essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial propertiesHigh~0.4–0.9%est.
Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oilA plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin. Can be used as a fragrance. Has anti-bacterial properties and might help neutralize free radicals on the surface of the skinHigh~0.4–0.9%est.
Melia azadirachta leaf extractA plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritatingHigh~0.35–0.8%est.
Coco-glucosideUsed as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritatingHigh~0.4–1%est.
Centella asiatica extractA plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. Contains active compounds called centelloids: asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It can be itself be irritating though.Medium~22–33%est.
Acrylates copolymerUsed to stabilize product formulation, help create an even product layer over skin (for example, in sunscreen) and create a thicker product consistencyMedium~1.9–2.8%est.
1,2-hexanediolA preservativeMedium~0.6–1.4%est.
Potassium benzoateHelps preserve the product formulationMedium~0.25–0.5%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.4–0.95%est.
Melia azadirachta flower extractA plant extract that might be helpful to neutralize free radicals in skinMedium~0.2–0.75%est.
Pentylene glycolUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product textureMedium~0.3–0.7%est.
MadecassosideAn antioxidant that is typically derived from plant Centella Asiatica. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin and support skin barrier function. It could, however, itself be irritating. It is often unstable in formulationsMedium~0.15–0.65%est.
Benzoic acidA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.4%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.1–0.35%est.
Honey extractHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skinMedium~0.05–0.2%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
Theobroma cacao seed extract—3/5~0.3–0.75%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Centella asiatica extract~22–33%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Reduces irritationReduces rednessMoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-agingAnti-oxidationAnti-blemish

A plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. Contains active compounds called centelloids: asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It can be itself be irritating though.

More about Centella asiatica extract
Water~12–17%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Potassium cocoyl glycinate~4.8–7.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Potassium cocoyl glycinate
Lauryl hydroxysultaine~4.3–6.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Lauryl hydroxysultaine
Glycerin~2.6–3.9%
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
Acrylates copolymer~1.9–2.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to stabilize product formulation, help create an even product layer over skin (for example, in sunscreen) and create a thicker product consistency

More about Acrylates copolymer
Propanediol~1.5–2.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin

More about Propanediol
Sodium chloride~1.4–2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

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

More about Sodium chloride
1,2-hexanediol~0.6–1.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about 1,2-hexanediol
Tromethamine~0.95–1.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps adjust pH in products

More about Tromethamine
Potassium benzoate~0.25–0.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps preserve the product formulation

More about Potassium benzoate
Salicylic acid~0.45–1.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-blemishExfoliationAnti-inflammatoryAntibacterialEvens skin tone

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 acid
Lactobacillus ferment~0.45–1.05%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-oxidationReduces irritation

A fermentation product created by bacteria Lactobacillus. The fermented product has anti-bacterial properties and might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but studies are lacking. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Can be used as a preservative

More about Lactobacillus ferment
Styrene/acrylates copolymer~0.55–1.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create an even product consistency. Can help boost efficiency of sunscreen filters

More about Styrene/acrylates copolymer
Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil~0.4–0.9%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Antibacterial

An essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties

More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil
Disodium edta~0.4–0.95%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil~0.4–0.9%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
AntibacterialAnti-oxidation

A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin. Can be used as a fragrance. Has anti-bacterial properties and might help neutralize free radicals on the surface of the skin

More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil
Melia azadirachta leaf extract~0.35–0.8%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
AntibacterialAnti-blemish

A plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritating

More about Melia azadirachta leaf extract
Coco-glucoside~0.4–1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Used as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating

More about Coco-glucoside
Theobroma cacao seed extract~0.3–0.75%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
More about Theobroma cacao seed extract
Artemisia vulgaris oil~0.2–0.75%
Formula
Melia azadirachta flower extract~0.2–0.75%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that might be helpful to neutralize free radicals in skin

More about Melia azadirachta flower extract
Pentylene glycol~0.3–0.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture

More about Pentylene glycol
Dextrin~0.2–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A sugar that is used to stabilize the product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Dextrin
Leptospermum scoparium leaf extract~0.15–0.65%
Formula
Butylene glycol~0.15–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Butylene glycol
Madecassoside~0.15–0.65%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidationMoisturizingAnti-agingEvens skin tone

An antioxidant that is typically derived from plant Centella Asiatica. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin and support skin barrier function. It could, however, itself be irritating. It is often unstable in formulations

More about Madecassoside
Limnanthes alba seed oil~0.15–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

This oil's cmposition is closest to rapeseed oil. It is a very stable oil and serves as an emoillient

More about Limnanthes alba seed oil
Benzoic acid~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Benzoic acid
Citric acid~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Ceramide np~0.1–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingReduces irritationAnti-inflammatory

A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin

More about Ceramide np
Phytosphingosine~0.1–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-blemishAnti-inflammatory

A type of lipid that is naturally present in skin. It might help in repairing skin barrier function and has anti-bacterial effect

More about Phytosphingosine
Hydrogenated lecithin~0.05–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.

More about Hydrogenated lecithin
Honey extract~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Honey extract
Ingredient list view

Centella asiatica extract, Water, Potassium cocoyl glycinate, Lauryl hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Acrylates copolymer, Propanediol, Sodium chloride, 1,2-hexanediol, Tromethamine, Potassium benzoate, Salicylic acid, Lactobacillus ferment, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Disodium edta, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil, Melia azadirachta leaf extract, Coco-glucoside, Theobroma cacao seed extract, Artemisia vulgaris oil, Melia azadirachta flower extract, Pentylene glycol, Dextrin, Leptospermum scoparium leaf extract, Butylene glycol, Madecassoside, Limnanthes alba seed oil, Benzoic acid, Citric acid, Ceramide np, Phytosphingosine, Hydrogenated lecithin, Honey extract

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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
ParnellCicamanu pH Balanced Gel CleanserYOUR PRODUCTFace factsCeramide Blemish Foaming CleanserCeraVeBalancing Air Foam Facial CleanserL'Oréal ParisDaily Foaming Gel Cleanser
Match—70%69%69%
Price$14.40$7.50−$6.90$12.39−$2.01$4.99−$9.41
Shared key ingredients—4 of 134 of 133 of 13
Key difference—NiacinamideNiacinamideCoconut Acid
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 38 studies and safety reviews.

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Parnell Cicamanu pH Balanced Gel Cleanser
ParnellCicamanu pH Balanced Gel Cleanser

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.