Works for
CleansingDecyl glucoside, Cocamidopropyl betaine + 2 moreCleanses gently
“Salicylic Acid Gel Cleanser”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cocamidopropyl betaine, coconut acid, decyl alcohol, decyl glucoside) 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
ExfoliationSalicylic acid ~0.4–0.9% + 1 moreUnder-dosed
“It gently cleanses, exfoliates and purifies the skin for a brightened fresh face.”
This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.
Anti-blemishSalicylic acid ~0.4–0.9% + 1 moreUnder-dosed
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 strong irritants: Parfum, Citronellol + 5 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~4.3–6.5%
- 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 GlycerinDecyl glucoside~4.3–6.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideAmmonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~2.7–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerPropylene glycol~2–3%
- 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 glycolCocamidopropyl betaine~2.2–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen
More about Cocamidopropyl betainePhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSodium chloride~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideParfum~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumAllantoin~0.5–1.2%
- 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 AllantoinEthylhexylglycerin~0.5–1.15%
Salicylic acid~0.4–0.9%
- 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 acidTocopheryl acetate~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateCoconut acid~0.45–1%
Sodium lactate~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product
More about Sodium lactateSodium hydroxide~0.2–0.8%
Sodium sulfite~0.1–0.2%
Decyl alcohol~0.2–0.8%
Citronellol~0.15–0.6%
Disodium edta~0.15–0.6%
Niacinamide~0.15–0.55%
- 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 NiacinamidePolymethylsilsesquioxane~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that improves product texture and helps dissolve other ingredients. Can form a non-greasy film on the skin to prevent moisture loss
More about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneLactic acid~0.1–0.45%
- 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 acidAlpha-isomethyl ionone~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Alpha-isomethyl iononeGlucose~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
More about GlucosePropanediol~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolLimonene~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneGeraniol~0.05–0.25%
Alcohol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholPolygonum bistorta root extract~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties and is claimed by its manufacturer to be able to decrease lines and wrinkles but evidence is lacking
More about Polygonum bistorta root extractNelumbo nucifera flower extract~0.05–0.15%
Nymphaea caerulea flower extract~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Diamond powder~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Does not have known skin benefits. Might help create an optical illusion of smoother skin
More about Diamond powderIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Decyl glucoside, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Propylene glycol, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium chloride, Parfum, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Salicylic acid, Tocopheryl acetate, Coconut acid, Sodium lactate, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium sulfite, Decyl alcohol, Citronellol, Disodium edta, Niacinamide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Lactic acid, Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Glucose, Propanediol, Limonene, Geraniol, Alcohol, Polygonum bistorta root extract, Nelumbo nucifera flower extract, Nymphaea caerulea flower extract, Diamond powder
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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.
| RodialSalicylic Acid Gel CleanserYOUR PRODUCT | Merci HandyFacial Cleansing Gel | Kmart2 in 1 Deep Gel Cleanser and Makeup Eraser - Salicylic Acid & Vitamin B3 | Community Sixty-SixDetoxifying AHA/BHA Gel Cleanser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 88% | 87% | 87% |
| Price | — | — | — | $15.82 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 10 | 4 of 10 | 4 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Zinc Gluconate | Glycosyl Trehalose | Glycolic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Mixa Anti-Imperfection Comfort CleanserCeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 18 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6
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