Works for
CleansingSodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl betaine + 5 moreCleanses gently
“Glycolic Face Wash”
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, caprylyl/capryl glucoside, cocamidopropyl betaine, decyl alcohol, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, sodium lauroyl oat amino acids) 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
ExfoliationGlycolic acid, Gluconic acid + 4 moreWorks well
“Instantly foams to cleanse, exfoliate, unclog pores.”
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: gluconic acid, glycolic acid.
Anti-blemishGlycolic acid, Gluconic acid + 3 moreMay help
“Instantly foams to cleanse, exfoliate, unclog pores.”
This product might be able to help reduce blemishes and clogged pores because it contains gluconic acid.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: glycolic acid
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Parfum, Limonene + 2 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.
Water~45–55%
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate~10–13%
- 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 sulfonateGlycerin~4.3–5.2%
- 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 GlycerinCocamidopropyl betaine~4.4–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen
More about Cocamidopropyl betaineCaprylyl/capryl glucoside~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be used as a cleansing agent
More about Caprylyl/capryl glucosideAcrylates crosspolymer-4~2–2.4%
Sodium lauroyl oat amino acids~1.7–2%
Sodium chloride~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chloridePhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolParfum~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumMannitol~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about MannitolCellulose~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can be used to help absorb oil as well as add volume and imporve texture of products.
More about CelluloseCharcoal powder~0.75–1.15%
Sodium hydroxide~0.5–0.75%
Citric acid~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidBenzoic acid~0.25–0.5%
Allantoin~0.45–0.65%
- 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 AllantoinLimonene~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneDehydroacetic acid~0.3–0.6%
Citrus aurantifolia fruit extract~0.3–0.6%
Ascorbic acid~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging
More about Ascorbic acidDisodium edta~0.3–0.55%
Gluconic acid~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in imporved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Might help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals
More about Gluconic acidGlycolic acid~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
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 acidMalic acid~0.25–0.5%
Linalool~0.25–0.45%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 triglycerideHydroxypropyl methylcellulose~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Hydroxypropyl methylcelluloseCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractEthylhexylglycerin~0.2–0.4%
Iron oxides~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear
More about Iron oxidesDecyl alcohol~0.2–0.4%
Caprylyl alcohol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium benzoate~0.1–0.2%
Lactic acid~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidTartaric acid~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid). It oxidizes quickly which makes it less effective in skincare formulations. It can support skin's barrier and moisture levels
More about Tartaric acidSalicylic acid~0.1–0.2%
- 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 acidGlucose~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
More about GlucoseIngredient list view
Water, Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Caprylyl/capryl glucoside, Acrylates crosspolymer-4, Sodium lauroyl oat amino acids, Sodium chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Mannitol, Cellulose, Charcoal powder, Sodium hydroxide, Citric acid, Benzoic acid, Allantoin, Limonene, Dehydroacetic acid, Citrus aurantifolia fruit extract, Ascorbic acid, Disodium edta, Gluconic acid, Glycolic acid, Malic acid, Linalool, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Iron oxides, Decyl alcohol, Caprylyl alcohol, Sodium benzoate, Lactic acid, Tartaric acid, Salicylic acid, Glucose
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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.
| ProcoalGlycolic Face WashYOUR PRODUCT | BiodermaSebium Actif Intense Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser | Peter Thomas RothMini Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel | Dope Skin CoAHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 87% | 86% | 86% |
| Price | — | $11.61 | $35.00 | $33.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 16 | 6 of 16 | 6 of 16 |
| Key difference | — | Fructose | Panthenol | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | High | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Neutrogena Deep Clean Purifying Cooling Gel ScrubMCoBeauty Salicylic Foaming Face Cleanser - single
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 18 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Final Report On the Safety Assessment of Sodium Alpha-Olefin Sulfonatesjournals.sagepub.com
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Alpha-hydroxyacids and carboxylic acidsonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6
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