SKIN Glycolic Renewal Cleanser

SKIN Glycolic Renewal Cleanser

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Cleansing
Coco-glucoside, Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate + 1 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Daily exfoliating gel face wash that targets dullness and rough skin texture for a clear and bright complexion.”
Source: Skinceuticals

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (coco-glucoside, coconut acid, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate) 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: coco-glucoside, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate

Coco-glucosideEffect: HighUsed as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating~4.5–6.8%
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agent~1.6–2.4%
Coconut acidEffect: High~0.35–0.8%
Exfoliation
Glycolic acid, Salicylic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“Glycolic Renewal Cleanser is a high-concentration, soft-foaming gel face wash designed to effectively exfoliate skin.”
Source: Skinceuticals

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, salicylic 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~4.6–6.9%
Salicylic acidKey activeEffect: HighUsed 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)~0.1–0.5%
Anti-blemish
Side benefit the brand mentions · Salicylic acid, Glycolic acid + 1 more
Works well
What the product description says
“Glycolic Renewal Cleanser Soft-foaming gel cleanser exfoliates with a dual-acid blend while effectively cleansing impurities a ... Read more”
Source: Skinceuticals

This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.

The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: glycolic acid

Salicylic acidHeroEffect: HighUsed 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)~0.1–0.5%
Glycolic acidKey activeEffect: MediumAn 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~4.6–6.9%
Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceEffect: Low, below effective doseTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin~0.95–1.45%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 strong irritants: Cymbopogon schoenanthus oil, Citral
Medium risk
We flagged 14 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~4.6–6.9%est.
Coco-glucosideUsed as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritatingHigh~4.5–6.8%est.
Propylene glycolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritatingHigh~2.5–3.8%est.
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurateHelps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agentHigh~1.6–2.4%est.
Salicylic acidUsed 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)High~0.1–0.5%est.
Cymbopogon schoenanthus oil—High~0.05–0.25%est.
CitralA fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritantHigh~0.05–0.2%est.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skinMedium~0.95–1.45%est.
Phytic acidAn alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), but is mostly used to stabilize product formulations in cosmeticsMedium~0.55–1.3%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.15–0.7%est.
ChlorphenesinA preservativeMedium~0.16–0.32%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.4%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.05–0.2%est.
Potassium sorbateA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.15%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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Ingredients

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Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Glycolic acid~4.6–6.9%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Evens skin toneExfoliationAnti-agingAnti-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
Coco-glucoside~4.5–6.8%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Used as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating

More about Coco-glucoside
Propylene glycol~2.5–3.8%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating

More about Propylene glycol
Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~2–3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate
Glycerin~1.7–2.6%
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
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate~1.6–2.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agent

More about Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate
Sodium hydroxide~1.2–1.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.95–1.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAntibacterialReduces irritationReduces rednessAnti-inflammatoryAnti-blemishAnti-aging

Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin

More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juice
Phytic acid~0.55–1.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), but is mostly used to stabilize product formulations in cosmetics

More about Phytic acid
Sodium chloride~0.5–1.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures

More about Sodium chloride
Phenoxyethanol~0.35–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Dipropylene glycol~0.15–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying

More about Dipropylene glycol
Coconut acid~0.35–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Coconut acid
Caprylyl glycol~0.15–0.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Salicylic acid~0.1–0.5%
Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
ExfoliationAnti-inflammatoryAnti-blemishAntibacterialEvens skin tone

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 acid
Chlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Chlorphenesin
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Boswellia serrata gum~0.1–0.4%
Formula
Cymbopogon schoenanthus oil~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · high
Citral~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritant

More about Citral
Citric acid~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Potassium sorbate~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Potassium sorbate
Sodium benzoate~0.05–0.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate
Tocopherol~0.01–0.05%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-agingAnti-inflammatoryMoisturizing

Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself

More about Tocopherol
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycolic acid, Coco-glucoside, Propylene glycol, Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Glycerin, Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, Sodium hydroxide, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Phytic acid, Sodium chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Dipropylene glycol, Coconut acid, Caprylyl glycol, Salicylic acid, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Boswellia serrata gum, Cymbopogon schoenanthus oil, Citral, Citric acid, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Tocopherol

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🇬🇧 Skinceuticals (UK)
≈ $59.06 Out of stock
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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
SKINGlycolic Renewal CleanserYOUR PRODUCTSkinCeuticalsGlycolic Renewal CleanserCeletequeAcne Cleansing GelCommunity Sixty-SixDetoxifying AHA/BHA Gel Cleanser
Match—100%95%90%
Price—$40.14—$15.82
Shared key ingredients—6 of 64 of 64 of 6
Key difference——NiacinamideNiacinamide
Irritancy Medium Medium 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 19 studies and safety reviews.

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SKIN Glycolic Renewal Cleanser
SKINGlycolic Renewal Cleanser

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.