Tarte knockout daily exfoliating cleanser

Tarte knockout daily exfoliating cleanser

Efficacy100/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Cleansing
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine + 4 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“knockout daily exfoliating cleanser”
Source: Sephora

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (acrylates crosspolymer-4, cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, decyl glucoside, hexylene glycol, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, sodium cocoyl glutamate) 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: decyl glucoside, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate

Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skin~11–14%
Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaineEffect: HighUsed as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix together~5.7–7%
Sodium cocoyl glutamateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~3.1–3.8%
Decyl glucosideEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating~0.75–1.1%
Acrylates crosspolymer-4Effect: High~0.6–0.95%
Hexylene glycolEffect: HighHelps create a more spreadable product texture~0.25–0.4%
Exfoliation
Glycolic acid, Lactic acid + 1 more
Works well
What the product description says
“knockout daily exfoliating cleanser”
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 acid~1.4–1.7%
Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn 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)~1.6–2%
Salicylic acidUnder-dosedUsed 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)~0.2–0.4%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
4 strong irritants: Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, Mentha piperita oil + 2 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 16 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonateHelps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skinHigh~11–14%est.
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~1.4–1.7%est.
Decyl glucosideHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritatingHigh~0.75–1.1%est.
Eucalyptus globulus leaf oilAn essential oil that can be very irritating. Has some anti-bacterial propertiesHigh~0.35–0.65%est.
Mentha piperita oilUsed as a fragrance and can be irritatingHigh~0.35–0.6%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~0.2–0.4%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.15–0.3%est.
LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.2%est.
Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaineUsed as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix togetherMedium~5.7–7%est.
Sodium cocoyl glutamateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~3.1–3.8%est.
Pyrus malus fruit extractCan have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar contentMedium~1.9–2.3%est.
Lactic acidAn 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)Medium~1.6–2%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.5–0.75%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.4–0.65%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.25–0.5%est.
Hexylene glycolHelps create a more spreadable product textureMedium~0.25–0.4%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
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate~11–14%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skin

More about Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate
Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine~5.7–7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Used as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix together

More about Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine
Sodium cocoyl glutamate~3.1–3.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sodium cocoyl glutamate
Glycerin~2.4–2.9%
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
Pyrus malus fruit extract~1.9–2.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

Can have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar content

More about Pyrus malus fruit extract
Lactic acid~1.6–2%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
ExfoliationEvens skin toneMoisturizingAnti-aging

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 acid
Glycolic acid~1.4–1.7%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
ExfoliationEvens skin toneAnti-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
Sodium chloride~1.2–1.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

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

More about Sodium chloride
Propanediol~0.95–1.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin

More about Propanediol
Decyl glucoside~0.75–1.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating

More about Decyl glucoside
Acrylates crosspolymer-4~0.6–0.95%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Acrylates crosspolymer-4
Citric acid~0.5–0.75%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

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

More about Citric acid
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Polyquaternium-10~0.45–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish

More about Polyquaternium-10
Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil~0.35–0.65%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Antibacterial

An essential oil that can be very irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties

More about Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil
Mentha piperita oil~0.35–0.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance and can be irritating

More about Mentha piperita oil
Caprylyl glycol~0.4–0.65%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.25–0.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Hexylene glycol~0.25–0.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps create a more spreadable product texture

More about Hexylene glycol
Salicylic acid~0.2–0.4%
Under-dosedIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryAnti-blemishExfoliationAntibacterialEvens 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
Sodium hydroxide~0.2–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Limonene~0.15–0.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat

More about Limonene
Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate~0.15–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps stabilize the product formulation

More about Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate
Linalool~0.1–0.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Linalool
Sodium acetate~0.1–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Sodium acetate
Sodium glycolate~0.1–0.15%
Formula
Sodium formate~0.1–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Sodium formate
Ingredient list view

Water, Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, Sodium cocoyl glutamate, Glycerin, Pyrus malus fruit extract, Lactic acid, Glycolic acid, Sodium chloride, Propanediol, Decyl glucoside, Acrylates crosspolymer-4, Citric acid, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-10, Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, Mentha piperita oil, Caprylyl glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene glycol, Salicylic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Limonene, Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, Linalool, Sodium acetate, Sodium glycolate, Sodium formate

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Sephora
$12.00
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Sephora
$16.00
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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
Tarteknockout daily exfoliating cleanserYOUR PRODUCTMedix 5.5Glycolic + Lactic AcidCeraVeGel Moussant Anti-ImperfectionsCOSRXThe AHA BHA PHA LHA 35 Peel
Match—89%81%79%
Price$12.00$19.99+$7.99—$12.18
Shared key ingredients—10 of 104 of 103 of 10
Key difference——NiacinamideGluconolactone
Irritancy High High Low Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Tarte knockout daily exfoliating cleanser
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Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.