Quasar MD Active RX Cleanser

Quasar MD Active RX Cleanser

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Cleansing
Ammonium laureth sulfate, Decyl glucoside + 2 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Active RX 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 (ammonium laureth sulfate, cocamidopropyl betaine, decyl glucoside, glyceryl stearate) 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, decyl glucoside

Ammonium laureth sulfateEffect: High~6.2–7.5%
Decyl glucosideEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating~4.1–5.1%
Cocamidopropyl betaineEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen~2.6–3.2%
Glyceryl stearateEffect: HighAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together~2.5–3%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Rosa canina fruit
Medium risk
We flagged 7 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Decyl glucosideHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritatingHigh~8.5–10.4%est.
Cocamidopropyl betaineHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergenHigh~2.6–3.2%est.
Vaccinium macrocarpon fruit extractA berry extract. Might have some anti-oxidant propertiesHigh~1–1.2%est.
Rosa canina fruit—High~0.45–0.7%est.
Silybum marianum extractMight be able to help neutralize free radical, calm down inflammation in skin, and even skin toneHigh~0.3–0.55%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.15–0.3%est.
Sorbic 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
Decyl glucoside~8.5–10.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating

More about Decyl glucoside
Ammonium laureth sulfate~6.2–7.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Ammonium laureth sulfate
Decyl glucoside~4.1–5.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating

More about Decyl glucoside
Glyceryl stearate~2.5–3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together

More about Glyceryl stearate
Cocamidopropyl betaine~2.6–3.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen

More about Cocamidopropyl betaine
Acrylates/steareth-20 methacrylate copolymer~1.8–2.2%
Formula
Styrene/acrylates copolymer~1.5–1.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create an even product consistency. Can help boost efficiency of sunscreen filters

More about Styrene/acrylates copolymer
Arginine~1.3–1.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin

More about Arginine
Vaccinium macrocarpon fruit extract~1–1.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A berry extract. Might have some anti-oxidant properties

More about Vaccinium macrocarpon fruit extract
(cranberry) fruit oil, citric acid, extracts of
Not recognized
Aloe barbadensis leaf~0.7–1.05%
Formula
Camellia sinensis leaf~0.6–0.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-agingEvens skin toneAnti-blemish

Green tea leaf powder that might contain antioxidants to help neutralize free radicals in skin

More about Camellia sinensis leaf
Aspalathus linearis leaf~0.55–0.85%
Formula
Rosa canina fruit~0.45–0.7%
Irritant · high
Vaccinium macrocarpon fruit~0.4–0.6%
Formula
Oil
Not recognized
Silybum marianum extract~0.3–0.55%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryAnti-oxidationMoisturizing

Might be able to help neutralize free radical, calm down inflammation in skin, and even skin tone

More about Silybum marianum extract
Milk~0.25–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Might have some moisturizing properties

More about Milk
Thistle) seed
Not recognized
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Caprylyl glycol~0.15–0.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Sorbic acid~0.1–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Sorbic acid
Cas 110-44-1
Not recognized
Ingredient list view

Water, Decyl glucoside, Ammonium laureth sulfate, Decyl glucoside, Glyceryl stearate, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Acrylates/steareth-20 methacrylate copolymer, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Arginine, Vaccinium macrocarpon fruit extract, Unknown, Aloe barbadensis leaf, Camellia sinensis leaf, Aspalathus linearis leaf, Rosa canina fruit, Vaccinium macrocarpon fruit, Unknown, Silybum marianum extract, Milk, Unknown, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Sorbic acid, Unknown

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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
Quasar MDActive RX CleanserYOUR PRODUCTUriageXemose Gentle Cleansing Syndet GelRohtoHada Labo Goku-Jyun Super Hyaluronic Face WashDr. Bailey Skin CareExtremely Gentle Foaming Facial Botanical Cleanser
Match—34%34%34%
Price——$10.50—
Shared key ingredients—3 of 73 of 72 of 7
Key difference—Ceramide NsPetrolatumCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Irritancy Medium 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 2 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
  2. 2
Quasar MD Active RX Cleanser
Quasar MDActive RX Cleanser

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