The Nue Co. Barrier Culture Cleanser

The Nue Co. Barrier Culture Cleanser

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Cleansing
Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, Sodium cocoyl apple amino acids
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Barrier Culture Cleanser”
Source: Cultbeauty

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (sodium cocoyl apple amino acids, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate) 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.

Sodium lauroyl sarcosinateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent~5–7.5%
Sodium cocoyl apple amino acidsEffect: High~2.7–4%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Calendula officinalis flower extract
Medium risk
We flagged 9 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Chamomilla recutita flower extractPlant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritatingHigh~0.15–0.65%est.
Calendula officinalis flower extractA plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.35%est.
Sodium lauroyl sarcosinateHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agentMedium~5–7.5%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~1.7–2.5%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~1.3–2%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.95–1.4%est.
Caprylhydroxamic acidA preservativeMedium~0.45–1.05%est.
Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrateA preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determineMedium~0.05–0.25%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~0.05–0.15%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
Glycerin~3.7–5.6%
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 lauroyl sarcosinate~5–7.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent

More about Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate
Sodium cocoyl apple amino acids~2.7–4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Sodium cocoyl apple amino acids
Hydroxyethylcellulose~1.9–2.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures

More about Hydroxyethylcellulose
Caprylyl glycol~1.7–2.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Ethylhexylglycerin~1.3–2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Inulin~1.1–1.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-blemish

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is claimed to support the growth of "good" bacteria in skin (as a "prebiotic"), but the research is lacking

More about Inulin
Citric acid~0.95–1.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

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

More about Citric acid
Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate~0.55–1.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps stabilize the product formulation

More about Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate
Caprylhydroxamic acid~0.45–1.05%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Caprylhydroxamic acid
Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide~0.45–1.05%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide
Maltodextrin~0.35–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Mattifying

Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil

More about Maltodextrin
Chamomilla recutita flower extract~0.15–0.65%
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 flower extract
Lactobacillus ferment~0.1–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-inflammatoryReduces irritation

A fermentation product created by bacteria Lactobacillus. The fermented product has anti-bacterial properties and might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but studies are lacking. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Can be used as a preservative

More about Lactobacillus ferment
Calendula officinalis flower extract~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritating

More about Calendula officinalis flower extract
Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determine

More about Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate
Hyaluronic acid~0.05–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-aging

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation

More about Hyaluronic acid
Lactic acid~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · 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
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, Sodium cocoyl apple amino acids, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylyl glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Inulin, Citric acid, Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, Maltodextrin, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Lactobacillus ferment, Calendula officinalis flower extract, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Hyaluronic acid, Lactic acid

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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
The Nue Co.Barrier Culture CleanserYOUR PRODUCTNorevaSensidiane Soothing Cleansing GelEveredenSteer Clear Balancing CleanserPerricone MDHypoallergenic CBD Sensitive Skin Therapy Gentle Cleanser
Match—36%35%35%
Price—$11.68$7.50$35.00
Shared key ingredients—2 of 72 of 72 of 7
Key difference—Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8PanthenolCbd
Irritancy Medium Low 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 13 studies and safety reviews.

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The Nue Co. Barrier Culture Cleanser
The Nue Co.Barrier Culture Cleanser

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

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.