PCA SKIN Acne Control Prebiotic Gel Cleanser 7
Works for
Anti-blemishSalicylic acid, Azelaic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“Acne Control Prebiotic Gel Cleanser is a daily gel-to-lather cleanser formulated to fight acne, not your skin.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: azelaic acid, salicylic acid. These ingredients is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
CleansingDecyl glucoside, Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine + 3 moreCleanses gently
“Acne Control Prebiotic Gel Cleanser 7”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (caprylyl/capryl glucoside, cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, decyl glucoside, sodium cocoyl apple amino acids, sodium lauroyl lactylate) 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: decyl glucoside
ExfoliationSide benefit · Salicylic acid, Azelaic acid + 1 moreWorks 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?
Irritancy8 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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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%
Glycerin~7.3–9%
- 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 GlycerinButylene glycol~5.5–6.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 glycolDecyl glucoside~4.2–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosidePolyacrylate crosspolymer-6~2.5–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine~2.5–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaineCaprylyl/capryl glucoside~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be used as a cleansing agent
More about Caprylyl/capryl glucosideSodium cocoyl apple amino acids~1.4–1.7%
Azelaic acid~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is produced by a yeast that lives on normal human skin. It is used in medicine as a topical treatment for mild to moderate acne. It has a mild exfoliating effect. It can also help reduce hyperpigmentation, helps calm down inflammation and can help neutralize free radicals
More about Azelaic acidInulin~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is claimed to support the growth of "good" bacteria in skin (as a "prebiotic"), but the research is lacking
More about InulinNiacinamide~0.65–0.95%
- 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 NiacinamideLactic acid~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidButyloctanol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium benzoate~0.25–0.45%
Caprylyl glycol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolSodium lauroyl lactylate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Sodium lauroyl lactylateSodium pyruvate~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium metabisulfite~0.1–0.2%
Saccharide isomerate~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharide isomerateIngredient list view
Salicylic acid, Water, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Decyl glucoside, Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, Caprylyl/capryl glucoside, Sodium cocoyl apple amino acids, Azelaic acid, Inulin, Niacinamide, Lactic acid, Butyloctanol, Sodium benzoate, Caprylyl glycol, Sodium lauroyl lactylate, Sodium pyruvate, Sodium metabisulfite, Saccharide isomerate
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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.
| PCA SKINAcne Control Prebiotic Gel Cleanser 7YOUR PRODUCT | SkinfixAcne+ 2% BHA Cleanser | CeraVeGel Moussant Anti-Imperfections | First Aid BeautyBrighten + Glow Exfoliating Gel Cleanser with AHA and Jojoba Pearls | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 72% | 68% | 65% |
| Price | $46.00 | $10.00−$36.00 | — | $27.90−$18.10 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 12 | 5 of 12 | 6 of 12 |
| Key difference | — | Glycolic Acid | Glycolic Acid | Jojoba Esters |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Community Sixty-Six Detoxifying AHA/BHA Gel CleanserVERSO Deep Cleanse Gel Nettoyant Moussant
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 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
- 5
- 6
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