Ultraceuticals Ultra Gentle Exfoliating Gel
Works for
CleansingDisodium cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate + 9 moreCleanses gently
“This dual-action exfoliating gel gently removes surface impurities, whilst deeply cleansing the skin to reveal a smoother, brighter complexion and minimize the appearance of pores.”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cetyl alcohol, decyl glucoside, disodium cocoamphodiacetate, glyceryl stearate, peg-100 stearate, peg-120 methyl glucose dioleate, peg-150 distearate, sodium lauroyl lactylate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sucrose cocoate, xanthan gum) 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
ExfoliationSalicylic acid, Allantoin + 1 moreWorks well
“This dual-action exfoliating gel gently removes surface impurities, whilst deeply cleansing the skin to reveal a smoother, brighter complexion and minimize the appearance of pores.”
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: salicylic acid.
Anti-blemishSide benefit the brand mentions · Salicylic acid, AllantoinWorks well
“Normal Congested This dual-action exfoliating gel gently removes surface impurities, whilst deeply cleansing the skin to reveal a smoother, brighter complexion and minimize the appearance of pores.”
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Alcohol, Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Glycerin~4.5–5.6%
- 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 GlycerinJojoba esters~4.1–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function
More about Jojoba estersSodium lactate~3–3.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product
More about Sodium lactateDisodium cocoamphodiacetate~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
More about Disodium cocoamphodiacetateSodium lauroyl sarcosinate~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
More about Sodium lauroyl sarcosinateLactic acid~1.6–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 acidDecyl glucoside~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideCaprylic/capric triglyceride~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 triglycerideSodium chloride~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideMagnesium aluminum silicate~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be helpful in restoring skin barrier function and, when combined with zinc carbonate and malonic acid, reducing fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating elastin production. Also helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Magnesium aluminum silicateBisabolol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololAllantoin~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinGlycyrrhetinic acid~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Active compound of licorice root. Works to calm down inflammation, as an anti-oxidant, and might be helpful in lightening the skin and reducing hyperpigmentation
More about Glycyrrhetinic acidSalicylic acid~0.35–0.6%
- 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 acidTocopheryl acetate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateSodium lauroyl lactylate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Sodium lauroyl lactylateSucrose cocoate~0.3–0.6%
Xanthan gum~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPeg-150 distearate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-150 distearateCetyl alcohol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholGlyceryl stearate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearatePeg-120 methyl glucose dioleate~0.25–0.5%
Peg-100 stearate~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearatePolyquaternium-10~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish
More about Polyquaternium-10Caprylyl glycol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolTetrasodium edta~0.2–0.4%
Disodium edta~0.2–0.35%
Alcohol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholCaprylhydroxamic acid~0.2–0.35%
Quartz~0.25–0.45%
Sodium acetate~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Isopropyl alcohol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A drying alcohol. Can increase skin's sensitivity and cause dryness and irritation
More about Isopropyl alcoholEucalyptus globulus leaf oil~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that can be very irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Eucalyptus globulus leaf oilSodium hydroxide~0.05–0.1%
Limonene~0.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Jojoba esters, Sodium lactate, Disodium cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, Lactic acid, Decyl glucoside, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Sodium chloride, Magnesium aluminum silicate, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Glycyrrhetinic acid, Salicylic acid, Tocopheryl acetate, Sodium lauroyl lactylate, Sucrose cocoate, Xanthan gum, Peg-150 distearate, Cetyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-120 methyl glucose dioleate, Peg-100 stearate, Polyquaternium-10, Caprylyl glycol, Tetrasodium edta, Disodium edta, Alcohol, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Quartz, Sodium acetate, Isopropyl alcohol, Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, Sodium hydroxide, Limonene
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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.
| UltraceuticalsUltra Gentle Exfoliating GelYOUR PRODUCT | CeraVeGel Moussant Anti-Imperfections | Revision SkincarePurifying Cleansing Gel oil-control cleanser for fresh, refined skin | Beekman 1802Milk Wash Exfoliating Jelly Cleanser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 85% | 82% | 82% |
| Price | — | — | — | $10.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 20 | 4 of 20 | 3 of 20 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Glycereth-2 Cocoate | Glycolic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: One Love Organics Botanical A Facial CleanserCOSRX The AHA BHA PHA LHA 35 Peel
Product summary
"Ultraceuticals - Ultra Gentle Exfoliating Gel" could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product contains acids (lactic acid 1.60% - 1.90%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants). Lactic acid is particularly good in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin and improving the skin barrier.
- Humectants (sodium lactate 3.00% - 3.60% and glycerin 4.50% - 5.60%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 73.00A$ in Australia.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 4
- 5
- 6
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