VARI:HOPE AHA BHA PHA Refining Boost Cleansing Foam
Works for
CleansingLauric acid, Palmitic acid + 8 moreCan be harsh
“AHA BHA PHA Refining Boost Cleansing Foam”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin.
It contains the following cleansing agents that tend to be harsh on the skin: sorbitan sesquioleate.
The following cleansing agents are typically mild, but still can cause an irritation or allergy for some people cocamidopropyl betaine.
Keep in mind that cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.
Anti-blemishSide benefit · Salicylic acid, Lauric acid + 4 moreWorks well
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.
ExfoliationSide benefit the brand mentions · Salicylic acid, Microcrystalline cellulose + 2 moreWorks well
“AHA BHA PHA Refining Boost Cleansing Foam”
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Sorbitan sesquioleate, Vanilla planifolia fruit extract + 3 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Lauric acid~8.1–9.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps water and oil mix together. Has anti-bacterial properties that might be helpful in preventing blemishes
More about Lauric acidGlycerin~4–4.9%
- 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 GlycerinPalmitic acid~2.8–3.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidStearic acid~2.4–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidPotassium hydroxide~1.9–2.3%
Myristic acid~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic
More about Myristic acidGlycol distearate~1.4–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glycol distearateGlyceryl stearate~1.2–1.5%
- 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-100 stearate~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateBeeswax~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
More about BeeswaxSorbitan sesquioleate~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used to help oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Sorbitan sesquioleateCocamidopropyl betaine~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen
More about Cocamidopropyl betaineCaprylyl glycol~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolSodium polyacrylate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylateEthylhexylglycerin~0.4–0.65%
Sodium chloride~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideCitric acid~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidGluconolactone~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals
More about GluconolactoneSalicylic acid~0.25–0.5%
- 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 acidDisodium edta~0.25–0.5%
Pyrus communis fruit extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar content
More about Pyrus communis fruit extractAllantoin~0.2–0.4%
- 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 AllantoinPrunus persica fruit extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fruit extact. Might have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Prunus persica fruit extractVanilla planifolia fruit extract~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Vanilla planifolia fruit extractRosa damascena flower water~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used to add a nice rose smell to the product. Might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and have some anti-oxidant effect. Can be irritating
More about Rosa damascena flower waterCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractHedera helix leaf/stem extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Butylene glycol~0.2–0.4%
- 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 glycolCitrus aurantifolia fruit extract~0.2–0.4%
1,2-hexanediol~0.2–0.35%
Carica papaya fruit extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Zea mays starch~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Used to thicken the product's consistency
More about Zea mays starchMannitol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about MannitolMicrocrystalline cellulose~0.2–0.35%
Chromium oxide greens~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tocopheryl acetate~0.15–0.25%
- 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 acetateHydrogenated lecithin~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.
More about Hydrogenated lecithinAloe barbadensis leaf extract~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 extractCentella asiatica extract~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. Contains active compounds called centelloids: asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It can be itself be irritating though.
More about Centella asiatica extractIngredient list view
Water, Lauric acid, Glycerin, Palmitic acid, Stearic acid, Potassium hydroxide, Myristic acid, Glycol distearate, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Beeswax, Sorbitan sesquioleate, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Caprylyl glycol, Sodium polyacrylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium chloride, Citric acid, Gluconolactone, Salicylic acid, Disodium edta, Pyrus communis fruit extract, Allantoin, Prunus persica fruit extract, Vanilla planifolia fruit extract, Rosa damascena flower water, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Hedera helix leaf/stem extract, Butylene glycol, Citrus aurantifolia fruit extract, 1,2-hexanediol, Carica papaya fruit extract, Zea mays starch, Mannitol, Microcrystalline cellulose, Chromium oxide greens, Tocopheryl acetate, Hydrogenated lecithin, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Centella asiatica extract
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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.
| VARI:HOPEAHA BHA PHA Refining Boost Cleansing FoamYOUR PRODUCT | MedicubeRed Foam Cleanser | VILLAGE 11 FACTORYAC Skin Solution Cleansing Foam | NatureONEAcne Foam Cleansing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 85% | 84% | 84% |
| Price | — | $14.90 | $13.10 | $22.10 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 9 of 19 | 12 of 19 | 8 of 19 |
| Key difference | — | Glyceryl Stearate Se | Ceramide Np | Cera Alba |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: innisfree Volcanic BHA Pore Cleansing Foamxaiel Above Calm Cleansing Foam
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 28 studies and safety reviews.
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