Works for
ExfoliationGlycolic acid, Salicylic acidWorks well
“Exfoliates skin while cleansing.”
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.
CleansingPeg-7 glyceryl cocoate, Polysorbate 20 + 2 moreCleanses gently
“Exfoliates skin while cleansing.”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cetearyl alcohol, peg-7 glyceryl cocoate, polysorbate 20, triethanolamine) 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.
Anti-blemishGlycolic acid, Salicylic acidNot delivered
“Best for oily, acne prone skin.”
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy8 strong irritants: Parfum, Hamamelis virginiana water + 6 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Butylene glycol~5.8–8.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolGlycolic acid~4–5.9%
- 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 acidEthylhexyl stearate~2.9–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Ethylhexyl stearateGlycerin~2.2–3.3%
- 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 GlycerinIsopropyl palmitate~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Isopropyl palmitatePeg-7 glyceryl cocoate~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oils and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
More about Peg-7 glyceryl cocoatePolysorbate 20~1.3–1.9%
Cetearyl alcohol~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholTriethanolamine~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineAmmonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerPhenoxyethanol~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSalicylic acid~0.35–0.8%
- 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 acidSodium hydroxide~0.35–0.8%
Parfum~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumHamamelis virginiana water~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
More about Hamamelis virginiana waterSodium benzoate~0.25–0.5%
Chlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Disodium edta~0.1–0.5%
Hexyl cinnamal~0.1–0.4%
Linalool~0.1–0.35%
Limonene~0.1–0.35%
- 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%
Citral~0.05–0.2%
Citronellol~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Glycolic acid, Ethylhexyl stearate, Glycerin, Isopropyl palmitate, Peg-7 glyceryl cocoate, Polysorbate 20, Cetearyl alcohol, Triethanolamine, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Salicylic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Parfum, Hamamelis virginiana water, Sodium benzoate, Chlorphenesin, Disodium edta, Hexyl cinnamal, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol, Citral, Citronellol
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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.
| SothysCosmeceutique RX Glysalac Skin PreparerYOUR PRODUCT | PurifideBlackhead Control 2% SA Deep Exfoliating Cleanser | CeraVeGel Moussant Anti-Imperfections | Peter Thomas RothMini Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 87% | 86% | 84% |
| Price | — | — | — | $35.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 7 | 4 of 7 | 3 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Linoleic Acid | Niacinamide | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Low | High |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Celeteque Acne Cleansing GelYEOUTH Vitamin C Facial Cleanser Day/Night Cream
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4
- 5Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Isopropyl Isostearatejournals.sagepub.com
- 6Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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