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PCA SKIN Daily Cleansing Bar
PCA SKIN

PCA SKIN Daily Cleansing Bar

Efficacy100/100IrritancyHigh
See all ingredients

Works for

Cleansing
Sorbitan oleate, Glycine soja protein + 3 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Daily Cleansing Bar”
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 (cetyl alcohol, glycine soja protein, potassium cetyl phosphate, sorbitan oleate) 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.

Sorbitan oleateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~1.4–2%
Glycine soja proteinEffect: HighA plant extract that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and soften it. It might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. It might be somewhat helpful for evening out the skin tone. It might be able to support elastin production but solid research is lacking~0.45–1.05%
Cetyl alcoholEffect: HighA non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together~0.2–0.7%
Potassium cetyl phosphateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.1–0.4%
Stearic acidEffect: High, below effective doseHelps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient~0.2–0.75%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
6 strong irritants: Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil, Lavandula hybrida oil + 4 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 12 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
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~0.85–1.3%est.
Lavandula hybrida oilPlant extract that can be irritating and is a known allergenHigh~0.55–1.3%est.
Citrus limon peel oilA highly irritating fragranceHigh~0.3–0.75%est.
Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oilA plant oil with a high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin and lead to allergic reactions. Can lead to photosensitivityHigh~0.2–0.75%est.
Citrus aurantium dulcis flower oil—High~0.2–0.75%est.
Citrus paradisi peel oilUsed as a fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.5%est.
Ricinus communis seed oilA plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistencyMedium~4.2–6.2%est.
Sorbitan oleateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.4–2%est.
Prunus armeniaca kernel oilAn emollient that helps soften the skinMedium~0.5–1.15%est.
Simmondsia chinensis seed oilSoftens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.Medium~0.5–1.1%est.
Isostearyl isostearateHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and improve the product texture. It can be comedogenicMedium~0.15–0.7%est.
Potassium cetyl phosphateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.1–0.4%est.
Comedogenic
3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
3 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
Cocos nucifera oilAn emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic3/5~5.3–8%est.
Isostearyl isostearateHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and improve the product texture. It can be comedogenic3/5~0.15–0.7%est.
Sorbitan oleateHelps oil and water mix together2/5~1.4–2%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Glycerin~22–33%
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
Cocos nucifera oil~5.3–8%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic

More about Cocos nucifera oil
Elaeis guineensis kernel oil~5.2–7.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Elaeis guineensis kernel oil
Ricinus communis seed oil~4.2–6.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatory

A plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency

More about Ricinus communis seed oil
Water~2.8–4.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Sodium hydroxide~2.1–3.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Carthamus tinctorius seed oil~1.8–2.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

An emollient that helps soften the skin and might help calm down inflammation

More about Carthamus tinctorius seed oil
Sorbitan oleate~1.4–2%
Comedogenic 2/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sorbitan oleate
Sorbitol~1.1–1.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture

More about Sorbitol
Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil~0.85–1.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidationAntibacterial

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
Lavandula hybrida oil~0.55–1.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Plant extract that can be irritating and is a known allergen

More about Lavandula hybrida oil
Prunus armeniaca kernel oil~0.5–1.15%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

An emollient that helps soften the skin

More about Prunus armeniaca kernel oil
Simmondsia chinensis seed oil~0.5–1.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.

More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oil
Glycine soja protein~0.45–1.05%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizingEvens skin toneAnti-agingAnti-oxidation

A plant extract that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and soften it. It might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. It might be somewhat helpful for evening out the skin tone. It might be able to support elastin production but solid research is lacking

More about Glycine soja protein
Citrus limon peel oil~0.3–0.75%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A highly irritating fragrance

More about Citrus limon peel oil
Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil~0.2–0.75%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A plant oil with a high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin and lead to allergic reactions. Can lead to photosensitivity

More about Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil
Citrus aurantium dulcis flower oil~0.2–0.75%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis flower oil
Camellia oleifera leaf extract~0.2–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-inflammatory

A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation, even though it is not usually used in sufficient concentration in cosmetics

More about Camellia oleifera leaf extract
Citrus paradisi peel oil~0.1–0.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Citrus paradisi peel oil
Cetyl stearate~0.2–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Cetyl stearate
Cetyl alcohol~0.2–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together

More about Cetyl alcohol
Isostearyl isostearate~0.15–0.7%
Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
3/5

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and improve the product texture. It can be comedogenic

More about Isostearyl isostearate
Potassium cetyl phosphate~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Potassium cetyl phosphate
Stearic acid~0.2–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient

More about Stearic acid
Ingredient list view

Glycerin, Cocos nucifera oil, Elaeis guineensis kernel oil, Ricinus communis seed oil, Water, Sodium hydroxide, Carthamus tinctorius seed oil, Sorbitan oleate, Sorbitol, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil, Lavandula hybrida oil, Prunus armeniaca kernel oil, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Glycine soja protein, Citrus limon peel oil, Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil, Citrus aurantium dulcis flower oil, Camellia oleifera leaf extract, Citrus paradisi peel oil, Cetyl stearate, Cetyl alcohol, Isostearyl isostearate, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Stearic acid

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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
PCA SKINDaily Cleansing BarYOUR PRODUCTDerma EVitamin C Foaming Oil CleanserAdorn CosmeticsNatural Soothing Cleansing Milk | RefillableCaudalieVinoclean Almond Milk Makeup Remover
Match—30%30%29%
Price—$16.00—$24.09
Shared key ingredients—4 of 125 of 125 of 12
Key difference—Vitamin CNiacinamideButyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Irritancy High Medium Medium Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Final report on the safety assessment of Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glyceryl Ricinoleate, Glyceryl Ricinoleate SE, Ricinoleic Acid, Potassium Ricinoleate, Sodium Ricinoleate, Zinc Ricinoleate, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Ethyl Ricinoleate, Glycol Ricinoleate, Isopropyl Ricinoleate, Methyl Ricinoleate, and Octyldodecyl Ricinoleatencbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Castor Oil: Properties, Uses, and Optimization of Processing Parameters in Commercial Productionncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Effect of ricinoleic acid in acute and subchronic experimental models of inflammationncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5
    Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. 6
    Assessment report on Rosmarinus officinalis L., aetheroleum and Rosmarinus officinalis L., folium ema.europa.eu
PCA SKIN Daily Cleansing Bar
PCA SKINDaily Cleansing Bar
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Find on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.