PrescriptSkin Glycolic Gel Cleanser

PrescriptSkin Glycolic Gel Cleanser

Efficacy100/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Exfoliation
Glycolic acid, Salix alba bark extract
Works 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: glycolic acid.

Glycolic acidKey activeEffect: HighAn alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid~2.3–2.9%
Salix alba bark extractEffect: LowA plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. It contains a compound salicin that can theoretically be converted into salicylic acid that, in turn, helps reduce inflammation in skin, but the evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking and the extract is usually not used in a concentration that would enable an exfoliating effect~0.65–0.95%
Cleansing
Sodium methyl 2-sulfolaurate, Disodium 2-sulfolaurate
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Glycolic Gel Cleanser”
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 (disodium 2-sulfolaurate, sodium methyl 2-sulfolaurate) 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.

Sodium methyl 2-sulfolaurateEffect: High~11–14%
Disodium 2-sulfolaurateEffect: High~5.5–6.8%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
11 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 11 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Glycolic acidAn alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acidHigh~2.3–2.9%est.
Eclipta prostrata extractA plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. It can be irritatingHigh~1.1–1.3%est.
Salix alba bark extractA plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. It contains a compound salicin that can theoretically be converted into salicylic acid that, in turn, helps reduce inflammation in skin, but the evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking and the extract is usually not used in a concentration that would enable an exfoliating effectHigh~0.65–0.95%est.
Hamamelis virginiana extractA plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritatingHigh~0.6–0.9%est.
Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilAn essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial propertiesHigh~0.2–0.35%est.
Benzyl alcoholA preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.2%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.1–0.15%est.
Benzyl salicylateA fragrance. Is a likely irritantHigh~0.05–0.1%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.05–0.1%est.
Moringa oleifera seed oilA plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acidMedium~1–1.2%est.
Dehydroacetic acidA preservativeMedium~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 methyl 2-sulfolaurate~11–14%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Sodium methyl 2-sulfolaurate
Disodium 2-sulfolaurate~5.5–6.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Disodium 2-sulfolaurate
Glycerin~3.1–3.8%
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
Glycolic acid~2.3–2.9%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-agingEvens skin toneExfoliationAnti-blemish

An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid

More about Glycolic acid
Sodium hydroxide~1.9–2.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Melia azadirachta extract~1.6–2%
Formula
Glycerin~1.5–1.8%
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
Eclipta prostrata extract~1.1–1.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-inflammatory

A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. It can be irritating

More about Eclipta prostrata extract
Moringa oleifera seed oil~1–1.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acid

More about Moringa oleifera seed oil
Salix alba bark extract~0.65–0.95%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryAnti-oxidationExfoliationAnti-blemish

A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. It contains a compound salicin that can theoretically be converted into salicylic acid that, in turn, helps reduce inflammation in skin, but the evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking and the extract is usually not used in a concentration that would enable an exfoliating effect

More about Salix alba bark extract
Hamamelis virginiana extract~0.6–0.9%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatory

A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating

More about Hamamelis virginiana extract
Avena sativa kernel extract~0.55–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryReduces irritationMoisturizingReduces 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
Pogostemon cablin leaf extract~0.4–0.65%
Formula
Hydroxyethylcellulose~0.35–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures

More about Hydroxyethylcellulose
Guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride~0.3–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps water and oil mix together and create a nice product texture

More about Guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride
Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil~0.2–0.35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Antibacterial

An essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties

More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil
Benzyl alcohol~0.1–0.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

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

More about Benzyl alcohol
Dehydroacetic acid~0.1–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Dehydroacetic acid
Limonene~0.1–0.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat

More about Limonene
Benzyl salicylate~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Is a likely irritant

More about Benzyl salicylate
Parfum~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Ingredient list view

Water, Sodium methyl 2-sulfolaurate, Disodium 2-sulfolaurate, Glycerin, Glycolic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Melia azadirachta extract, Glycerin, Eclipta prostrata extract, Moringa oleifera seed oil, Salix alba bark extract, Hamamelis virginiana extract, Avena sativa kernel extract, Pogostemon cablin leaf extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Benzyl alcohol, Dehydroacetic acid, Limonene, Benzyl salicylate, Parfum

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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
PrescriptSkinGlycolic Gel CleanserYOUR PRODUCTGlytoneMild Gel CleanserNeocutisNeo-Cleanse Exfoliating Skin CleanserPrequelGLEANSER + GLYCOLIC
Match—62%59%59%
Price—$24.95$40.00$20.00
Shared key ingredients—2 of 62 of 62 of 6
Key difference—Yeast ExtractDisodium Cocoyl GlutamateInulin
Irritancy High Low Low Low
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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PrescriptSkin Glycolic Gel Cleanser
PrescriptSkinGlycolic Gel Cleanser

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