Philosophy Clear Days Ahead Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Cleanser
Works for
CleansingSodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Acrylates crosspolymer-4 + 3 moreCleanses gently
“Clear Days Ahead Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Cleanser”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (acrylates crosspolymer-4, cocamidopropyl betaine, disodium capryloyl glutamate, polysorbate 20, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate) 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: cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate
Anti-blemishNiacinamide, Salicylic acidWorks well
“Clear Days Ahead Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Cleanser”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide, salicylic acid. These ingredients is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · Salicylic acidWorks 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?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium dulcis peel extract, Methylchloroisothiazolinone + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh 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 acid1%
- 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%
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate~10–12%
- Irritation risk
- High
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 sulfonateAcrylates crosspolymer-4~5.9–7.3%
Cocamidopropyl betaine~4.8–5.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen
More about Cocamidopropyl betainePolysorbate 20~2.4–2.9%
Niacinamide~2–2.4%
- 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 NiacinamideGlycerin~1.6–2%
- 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 GlycerinPanthenol~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolCitrus aurantium dulcis peel extract~1.1–1.3%
Hydrolyzed jojoba esters~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrolyzed jojoba estersJojoba esters~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function
More about Jojoba estersDisodium capryloyl glutamate~0.6–0.9%
Sodium chloride~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideSodium sulfate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve the product consistency and stabilize formulations
More about Sodium sulfatePotassium chloride~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Butylene glycol~0.25–0.4%
- 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 glycolCitric acid~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium hydroxide~0.15–0.25%
Hydrogen peroxide~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Propylene glycol~0.1–0.2%
- 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 glycolMethylchloroisothiazolinone~0.00075–0.0015%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Is a frequent allergen in cosmetics
More about MethylchloroisothiazolinoneMethylisothiazolinone~0.00075–0.0015%
O-cymen-5-ol~0.05%
Ingredient list view
Salicylic acid, Water, Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Acrylates crosspolymer-4, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Polysorbate 20, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Panthenol, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel extract, Hydrolyzed jojoba esters, Jojoba esters, Disodium capryloyl glutamate, Sodium chloride, Sodium sulfate, Potassium chloride, Butylene glycol, Citric acid, Sodium hydroxide, Hydrogen peroxide, Propylene glycol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, O-cymen-5-ol
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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.
| PhilosophyClear Days Ahead Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment CleanserYOUR PRODUCT | Face factsCeramide Blemish Foaming Cleanser | SkipperFace Wash | SkinfixAcne+ 2% BHA Cleanser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 82% | 82% | 80% |
| Price | $29.00 | $7.80−$21.20 | $37.92+$8.92 | $10.00−$19.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 11 | 5 of 11 | 3 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | Ceramide As | Vitamin E | Azelaic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Mixa Anti-Imperfection Comfort CleanserKmart 2 in 1 Deep Gel Cleanser and Makeup Eraser - Salicylic Acid & Vitamin B3
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 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
- 5Final Report On the Safety Assessment of Sodium Alpha-Olefin Sulfonatesjournals.sagepub.com
- 6
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