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Zarqa Clear Skin Cleansing Gel
Zarqa

Zarqa Clear Skin Cleansing Gel

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium
See all ingredients

Works for

Cleansing
Disodium cocoyl glutamate, Xanthan gum
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Clear Skin Cleansing Gel”
Source: ZARQA

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (disodium cocoyl glutamate, 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.

Disodium cocoyl glutamateEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agent~8.4–12.5%
Xanthan gumEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency~0.5–1.15%
Anti-blemish
Salicylic acid, Inulin
Works well
What the product description says
“Mee-eters en puistjes worden voorkomen.”
Source: ZARQA

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.

Salicylic acidHeroEffect: HighUsed 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)~0.85–1.3%
InulinEffect: LowHelps 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~2.8–4.2%
Exfoliation
Not advertised by the brand · Salicylic acid, Maris sal
Works well

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.

Salicylic acidKey activeEffect: HighUsed 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)~0.85–1.3%
Maris salEffect: Low, below effective doseUsed to thicken the product formulation and might help to add minerals to the surface of the skin. It is used in scrubs as a physical exfoliant. Can increase sensitivity to other ingredients if left on the skin or used in high concentration~0.1–0.4%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Sodium anisate
Medium risk
We flagged 5 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
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~0.85–1.3%est.
Sodium anisateUsed as a fragranceHigh~0.85–1.3%est.
Disodium cocoyl glutamateHelps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agentMedium~8.4–12.5%est.
Maris salUsed to thicken the product formulation and might help to add minerals to the surface of the skin. It is used in scrubs as a physical exfoliant. Can increase sensitivity to other ingredients if left on the skin or used in high concentrationMedium~0.1–0.4%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.05–0.2%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged
Alternatives
The closest match we found
Balancing Air Foam Facial Cleanser
CeraVe Balancing Air Foam Facial Cleanser
Closest match89% match
$12.39
View all alternatives

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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
Disodium cocoyl glutamate~8.4–12.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

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

More about Disodium cocoyl glutamate
Sodium chloride~3.7–5.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

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

More about Sodium chloride
Inulin~2.8–4.2%
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
Cellulose gum~2–3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions

More about Cellulose gum
Salicylic acid~0.85–1.3%
Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryExfoliationAnti-blemishAntibacterialEvens 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
Fructose~1.1–1.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Fructose
Sodium anisate~0.85–1.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance

More about Sodium anisate
Xanthan gum~0.5–1.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Cellulose~0.45–1.05%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Mattifying

Can be used to help absorb oil as well as add volume and imporve texture of products.

More about Cellulose
Glucose~0.15–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function

More about Glucose
Maris sal~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Exfoliation

Used to thicken the product formulation and might help to add minerals to the surface of the skin. It is used in scrubs as a physical exfoliant. Can increase sensitivity to other ingredients if left on the skin or used in high concentration

More about Maris sal
Citric acid~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

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

More about Citric acid
Sodium hydroxide~0.05–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Ingredient list view

Water, Disodium cocoyl glutamate, Sodium chloride, Inulin, Cellulose gum, Salicylic acid, Fructose, Sodium anisate, Xanthan gum, Cellulose, Glucose, Maris sal, Citric acid, Sodium hydroxide

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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
ZarqaClear Skin Cleansing GelYOUR PRODUCTCeraVeBalancing Air Foam Facial CleanserBiodermaSébium Active Foaming GelEau Thermale AveneCleanance Acne Cleanser
Match—89%88%87%
Price—$12.39$10.39$18.55
Shared key ingredients—3 of 54 of 52 of 5
Key difference—NiacinamideGlycolic AcidBetaine
Irritancy Medium Low Medium Low
Drying alcohol————
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More alternatives: Skinfix Acne+ 2% BHA CleanserMixa Anti-Imperfection Comfort Cleanser

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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 6 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Probiotics and prebiotics potential for the care of skin, female urogenital tract, and respiratory tractlink.springer.com
  2. 2
    Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
  4. 4
    A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
  5. 5
    Glycolic Acid Peels Versus Salicylic–Mandelic Acid Peels in Active Acne Vulgaris and Post‐Acne Scarring and Hyperpigmentation: A Comparative Studyonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  6. 6
    Topical Glucose Induces Claudin-1 and Filaggrin Expression in a Mouse Model of Atopic Dermatitis and in Keratinocyte Culture, Exerting Anti-inflammatory Effects by Repairing Skin Barrier Functionncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Zarqa Clear Skin Cleansing Gel
ZarqaClear Skin Cleansing Gel
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Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Find on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.