Peter Thomas Roth Acne Clearing Wash
Works for
Anti-blemishSalicylic acid, AllantoinWorks well
“Maximum strength 2% Salicylic Acid helps eliminate the breakout cycle while removing excess makeup and oil.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
CleansingCocamidopropyl betaine, Lauryl glucoside + 5 moreCan be harsh
“Acne Clearing Wash”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin.
It contains the following cleansing agents that tend to be harsh on the skin: sodium laureth sulfate.
The following cleansing agents are typically mild, but still can cause an irritation or allergy for some people cocamidopropyl betaine.
Keep in mind that cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.
ExfoliationSide benefit the brand mentions · Salicylic acid, AllantoinWorks well
“OTC level chemically exfoliates to clear up, treat and prevent acne and blackheads.”
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?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Butylphenyl methylpropional, Parfum + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 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 acidAllantoin~23–35%
- 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 AllantoinBht~6–8.9%
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~4.5–6.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.
More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneButylphenyl methylpropional~3–4.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Can trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Butylphenyl methylpropionalCitric acid~2.2–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidCocamidopropyl betaine~2.3–3.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen
More about Cocamidopropyl betaineDisodium edta~0.5–1%
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate~1.6–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
More about Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateEthylhexyl salicylate~1.4–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateParfum~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumLauryl glucoside~0.85–1.25%
Limonene~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.35–0.85%
Panthenol~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolPeg-120 methyl glucose dioleate~0.35–0.8%
Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearatePeg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilPeg-6 caprylic/capric glycerides~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps dissolve other ingredients
More about Peg-6 caprylic/capric glyceridesPhenoxyethanol~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPotassium sorbate~0.3–0.6%
Ppg-26-buteth-26~0.15–0.7%
Propylene glycol~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolSodium benzoate~0.1–0.35%
Sodium benzotriazolyl butylphenol sulfonate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps protect the ingredients in the formulation against UV light
More about Sodium benzotriazolyl butylphenol sulfonateSodium chloride~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideSodium citrate~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateSodium hydroxide~0.05–0.25%
Sodium laureth sulfate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Works as a foaming cleansing agent
More about Sodium laureth sulfateTocopherol~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolWater~0.01–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Salicylic acid, Allantoin, Bht, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Butylphenyl methylpropional, Citric acid, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Disodium edta, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Parfum, Lauryl glucoside, Limonene, Linalool, Panthenol, Peg-120 methyl glucose dioleate, Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Peg-6 caprylic/capric glycerides, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium sorbate, Ppg-26-buteth-26, Propylene glycol, Sodium benzoate, Sodium benzotriazolyl butylphenol sulfonate, Sodium chloride, Sodium citrate, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium laureth sulfate, Tocopherol, Water
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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.
| Peter Thomas RothAcne Clearing WashYOUR PRODUCT | NEOSTRATAClarify Mandelic Clarifying Cleanser | ExuviancePore Clarifying Cleanser | La Roche-PosayMedicated Gel Acne Face Wash with Salicylic Acid | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 82% | 82% | 80% |
| Price | $39.00 | $34.00−$5.00 | $37.00−$2.00 | $18.99−$20.01 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 12 | 6 of 12 | 4 of 12 |
| Key difference | — | Gluconolactone | Gluconolactone | Capryloyl Salicylic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Redness Soothing Facial CleanserClean & Clear ADVANTAGE Acne Control 3-in-1 Foaming Wash
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 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
- 6Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
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