Skin science article
AlumierMD Acne Clarifying Cleanser Versus IMAGE skincare Clear Cell Salicylic Gel Cleanser
AlumierMD Acne Clarifying Cleanser Versus IMAGE skincare Clear Cell Salicylic Gel Cleanser This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores. This salicylic acid foaming cleanser is formulated around Salic
AlumierMD Acne Clarifying Cleanser Versus IMAGE skincare Clear Cell Salicylic Gel Cleanser
This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores.
This salicylic acid foaming cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Water
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Propanediol
Dimethyl Lauramide/Myristamide
Glycerin
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Glyceryl Caprate
Lauryl Lactyl Lactate
Oligopeptide-10
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Boswellia Serrata Gum Extract
Honey Extract
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Carbomer
Sodium Hydroxide
Disodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
Xylitol
Caprylic Acid
Ethylhexylglycerin
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Propanediol, Dimethyl Lauramide/Myristamide, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glyceryl Caprate, Lauryl Lactyl Lactate, Oligopeptide-10, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Boswellia Serrata Gum Extract, Honey Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Xylitol, Caprylic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
Butylene Glycol
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
Salicylic Acid
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Phenoxyethanol
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Laureth-10
Ammonium Sulfate
Hexylene Glycol
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Ammonium Chloride
Sodium Benzoate
Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Sodium Chloride
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Alcohol
Cinnamomum Camphora Bark Oil
Glyoxal
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract
Maltodextrin
Syringa Vulgaris Extract
Boswellia Serrata Extract
Mel Extract
Water, Glycerin, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Salicylic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Laureth-10, Ammonium Sulfate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Ammonium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Sodium Chloride, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Alcohol, Cinnamomum Camphora Bark Oil, Glyoxal, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Maltodextrin, Syringa Vulgaris Extract, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Mel Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Oligopeptide-10
Reviews
Be the first to review
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is a synthetic cleansing agent, though it is derived from coconut oil.
It is used to enhance the texture of products by boosting lather and thickening the texture. As a cleanser, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is mild.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Oligopeptide-10 is a peptide.
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract comes from the outer layer of a rice kernel. It is a byproduct of milling rice, or the operation to produce a whole grain rice product.
This ingredient has moisturizing properties due to its components of polysaccharides and omega-3 fatty acids. It also contains calcium, selenium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc.
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract contains numerous antioxidants such as ferulic acid. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!