SOBEL SKIN Rx 27% Glycolic Acid Facial Cleanser

SOBEL SKIN Rx 27% Glycolic Acid Facial Cleanser

Efficacy83/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Exfoliation
Glycolic acid, Allantoin
Works well
What the product description says
“This innovative dermatologist-developed facial cleanser is powered by 27-percent glycolic acid and cleanses and exfoliates without drying and stripping skin.”
Source: Sephora

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 acid27%
AllantoinEffect: LowHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~3.1–4.7%
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl betaine, Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate + 4 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“27% Glycolic Acid Facial 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 (cocamidopropyl betaine, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, hexylene glycol, peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, 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: cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate

Cocamidopropyl betaineEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen~7.8–11.7%
Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~1.6–2.4%
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agent~0.55–1.3%
Disodium laureth sulfosuccinateEffect: High~0.55–1.3%
Sodium cocoyl isethionateEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together. Can be used as a cleansing agent~0.5–1.2%
Hexylene glycolEffect: HighHelps create a more spreadable product texture~0.01–0.1%
Anti-blemish
Glycolic acid, Allantoin
Not delivered
What the product description says
“A pro-level, AHA cleanser that exfoliates skin by removing excess surface oil and daily debris to diminish the look of pores and improve texture.”
Source: Sephora

This product contains ingredients (glycolic acid) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.

Glycolic acidEffect: 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 acid27%
AllantoinEffect: LowHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~3.1–4.7%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Glycolic acid
Medium risk
We flagged 12 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 acidHigh27%
Cocamidopropyl betaineHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergenHigh~7.8–11.7%est.
Chamomilla recutita extractPlant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritatingHigh~2–3%est.
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurateHelps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agentHigh~0.55–1.3%est.
Aloe barbadensis leaf extractTraditionally 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~2.6–3.9%est.
Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.6–2.4%est.
Caprylic/capric triglycerideA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerinMedium~1.2–1.8%est.
Sodium cocoyl isethionateHelps water and oil mix together. Can be used as a cleansing agentMedium~0.5–1.2%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.15–0.55%est.
Potassium sorbateA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.3%est.
Ammonium hydroxideHelps adjust the product pHMedium~0.05–0.15%est.
Hexylene glycolHelps create a more spreadable product textureMedium~0.01–0.1%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~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Glycolic acid27%
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
Cocamidopropyl betaine~7.8–11.7%
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
Allantoin~3.1–4.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryMoisturizingReduces irritationAnti-blemishReduces rednessExfoliation

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

More about Allantoin
Aloe barbadensis leaf extract~2.6–3.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

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 extract
Chamomilla recutita extract~2–3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatory

Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating

More about Chamomilla recutita extract
Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate~1.6–2.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate
Peg-6~1.2–1.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps to dissolve other ingredients and attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Peg-6
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~1.2–1.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

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 triglyceride
Disodium laureth sulfosuccinate~0.55–1.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Disodium laureth sulfosuccinate
Sodium cocoyl isethionate~0.5–1.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

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

More about Sodium cocoyl isethionate
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate~0.55–1.3%
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
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Caprylyl glycol~0.15–0.55%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Potassium sorbate~0.05–0.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Potassium sorbate
Ammonium hydroxide~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps adjust the product pH

More about Ammonium hydroxide
Hexylene glycol~0.01–0.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps create a more spreadable product texture

More about Hexylene glycol
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycolic acid, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Allantoin, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Chamomilla recutita extract, Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate, Peg-6, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, Sodium cocoyl isethionate, Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Potassium sorbate, Ammonium hydroxide, Hexylene glycol

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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
SOBEL SKIN Rx27% Glycolic Acid Facial CleanserYOUR PRODUCTPrequelGLEANSER + GLYCOLICendota spaAHA Renewal Cleansing GelNaturiumThe Smoother Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Wash
Match—54%53%52%
Price—$20.00$35.11$6.00
Shared key ingredients—3 of 93 of 93 of 9
Key difference—InulinPeg-120 Methyl Glucose DioleateLactic Acid
Irritancy Medium Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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SOBEL SKIN Rx 27% Glycolic Acid Facial Cleanser
SOBEL SKIN Rx27% Glycolic Acid Facial Cleanser

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

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.