PCA SKIN Daily Exfoliant

PCA SKIN Daily Exfoliant

Efficacy33/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Cleansing
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Caprylyl/capryl glucoside + 4 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Removes dirt, debris and impurities from the skin”
Source: Dermstore

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, coco-glucoside, glyceryl oleate, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, sodium cocoamphoacetate) 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, glyceryl oleate, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate

Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skin~11–13%
Caprylyl/capryl glucosideEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Can be used as a cleansing agent~2.4–2.9%
Coco-glucosideEffect: HighUsed as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating~1.6–2%
Glyceryl oleateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating~1.4–1.7%
Sodium cocoamphoacetateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Creates foam~1.2–1.5%
Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaineEffect: HighUsed as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix together~0.95–1.2%
Exfoliation
No ingredient credited for this claim
Not delivered
What the product description says
“Daily Exfoliant”
Source: Dermstore

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.

Anti-blemish
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice
Not delivered
What the product description says
“Crafted with a powerful aloe vera and essential oils formula, this moisturizing exfoliant works deep to alleviate breakouts, visible pores and free radical damage.”
Source: Dermstore

Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.

Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceEffect: Low, below effective doseTraditionally 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~0.7–1.05%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 strong irritants: Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil, Lavandula angustifolia oil
Medium risk
We flagged 14 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonateHelps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skinHigh~11–13%est.
Coco-glucosideUsed as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritatingHigh~1.6–2%est.
Glyceryl oleateHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritatingHigh~1.4–1.7%est.
Benzyl alcoholA preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.5–0.7%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~0.15–0.3%est.
Lavandula angustifolia oilAn essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial propertiesHigh~0.1–0.15%est.
Caprylyl/capryl glucosideHelps oil and water mix together. Can be used as a cleansing agentMedium~2.4–2.9%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~1.9–2.3%est.
Sodium cocoamphoacetateHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Creates foamMedium~1.2–1.5%est.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceTraditionally 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 skinMedium~0.7–1.05%est.
Caprylic/capric triglycerideA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerinMedium~0.65–1%est.
Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaineUsed as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix togetherMedium~0.95–1.2%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.45–0.65%est.
Tetrasodium edtaHelps to stabilize the product formulationMedium~0.1–0.2%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate~11–13%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

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 sulfonate
Propanediol~4.2–5.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

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

More about Propanediol
Cellulose acetate~3.2–3.9%
Formula
Caprylyl/capryl glucoside~2.4–2.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be used as a cleansing agent

More about Caprylyl/capryl glucoside
Acrylates copolymer~1.9–2.3%
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
Coco-glucoside~1.6–2%
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
Glyceryl oleate~1.4–1.7%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating

More about Glyceryl oleate
Sodium cocoamphoacetate~1.2–1.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Creates foam

More about Sodium cocoamphoacetate
Glycerin~1–1.3%
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
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.7–1.05%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAntibacterialReduces irritationReduces rednessAnti-inflammatoryAnti-blemishAnti-aging

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 juice
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~0.65–1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin

More about Caprylic/capric triglyceride
Benzyl alcohol~0.5–0.7%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating

More about Benzyl alcohol
Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine~0.95–1.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Used as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix together

More about Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.45–0.65%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Bisabolol~0.3–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Reduces irritationAnti-inflammatoryAnti-oxidation

An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties

More about Bisabolol
Hydrolyzed jojoba esters~0.3–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Hydrolyzed jojoba esters
Sclerotium gum~0.25–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions

More about Sclerotium gum
Sodium hydroxide~0.2–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil~0.15–0.3%
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
Salicornia herbacea extract~0.15–0.25%
Formula
Tetrasodium edta~0.1–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps to stabilize the product formulation

More about Tetrasodium edta
Lavandula angustifolia oil~0.1–0.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties

More about Lavandula angustifolia oil
Camellia oleifera leaf extract~0.05–0.15%
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
Avena sativa kernel extract~0.1–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Reduces irritationMoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryReduces rednessAnti-oxidation

An effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties

More about Avena sativa kernel extract
Ingredient list view

Water, Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Propanediol, Cellulose acetate, Caprylyl/capryl glucoside, Acrylates copolymer, Coco-glucoside, Glyceryl oleate, Sodium cocoamphoacetate, Glycerin, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Benzyl alcohol, Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Bisabolol, Hydrolyzed jojoba esters, Sclerotium gum, Sodium hydroxide, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil, Salicornia herbacea extract, Tetrasodium edta, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Camellia oleifera leaf extract, Avena sativa kernel extract

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

Bluemercury
$49.00
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Amazon USPrice as of 11/9 06:17 GMT
$49.00
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Dermstore7 fl. oz
$49.00
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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 ExfoliantYOUR PRODUCTShani Darden Skin CareCleansing SerumThe ElementsPurifying Gel CleanserOleHenriksenDaily D-Clog Pore-Clearing Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Match—35%33%33%
Price$49.00$38.00−$11.00$10.74−$38.26$33.77−$15.23
Shared key ingredients—4 of 114 of 113 of 11
Key difference—Oatmeal ExtractSalicylic AcidSalicylic Acid
Irritancy Medium Low Low Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.

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