Skin science article
Honest Beauty Gentle Gel Cleanser Versus IMAGE skincare Ormedic Balancing Facial Cleanser
Honest Beauty Gentle Gel Cleanser Versus IMAGE skincare Ormedic Balancing Facial Cleanser This mild gel cleanser is made to cleanse while calming and soothing your skin. This gel cleanser uses mild cleansing ingredients, but contains alcohol that may feel dryi
Honest Beauty Gentle Gel Cleanser Versus IMAGE skincare Ormedic Balancing Facial Cleanser
This mild gel cleanser is made to cleanse while calming and soothing your skin.
This gel cleanser uses mild cleansing ingredients, but contains alcohol that may feel drying for some.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Glycerin
Sodium Chloride
Sorbitol
Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate
Lauryl Glucoside
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Cymbopogon Martini Oil
Abies Sibirica Oil
Gluconolactone
Potassium Sorbate
Sodium Benzoate
Coconut Acid
Sodium Citrate
Citric Acid
Sorbic Acid
Sodium Methyltaurate
Linalool
Linalyl Acetate
Water, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Sorbitol, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Lauryl Glucoside, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Abies Sibirica Oil, Gluconolactone, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Coconut Acid, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Methyltaurate, Linalool, Linalyl Acetate
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
PEG-18 Glyceryl Oleate/Cocoate
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Decyl Glucoside
Phenoxyethanol
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Oryza Sativa Extract
Panthenol
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Ethylhexylglycerin
Amyl Cinnamal
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
Juniperus Virginiana Wood Extract
Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Limonene
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Symphytum Officinale Root Extract
Benzyl Alcohol
Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate
Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract
Butter Extract
Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Coffea Arabica Leaf/Seed Extract
Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Sodium PEG-7 Olive Oil Carboxylate
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Soybean Peroxidase
Superoxide Dismutase
Tocopherol
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Glycerin, PEG-18 Glyceryl Oleate/Cocoate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sorbitol, Decyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Oryza Sativa Extract, Panthenol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Amyl Cinnamal, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Juniperus Virginiana Wood Extract, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Limonene, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Symphytum Officinale Root Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Butter Extract, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Coffea Arabica Leaf/Seed Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Sodium PEG-7 Olive Oil Carboxylate, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Soybean Peroxidase, Superoxide Dismutase, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate
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Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract comes from the marigold flower and has been used on skin for centuries for its calming effect.
In the lab, its active compounds appear to calm inflammation and support the early "healing" phase of minor wounds.
This is why Europe's medicines regulator has approved calendula extracts as a traditional remedy for minor skin inflammation and healing small wounds.
The stronger human evidence is around would/ulcer care rather than everyday cosmetic claims; a review that pulled together 14 studies found that calendula helped calm the early, inflamed stage of a wound and helped new skin tissue form faster.
Two studies also showed it shrank leg ulcers (the kind caused by poor circulation). Results were mixed for burns and for the skin irritation people get from radiation treatment, so it's not a sure thing there.
In cosmetics, it's mostly a skin conditioning and soothing agent.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel concluded that calendula-derived ingredients are safe as used and that the ingredients are not irritating, sensitizing, or photosensitizing in clinical tests (though they may be mild eye irritants).
Typical use levels are quite low; industry data reported it used at under 0.5% (one supplier noted a 10-25% extract blend used at 1-10% in the finished product). Historical use goes up to 10%.
The only thing to keep in mind is if you have daisy/ragweed allergies. Calendula is in the same family and one patch-test study found 2% of dermatitis patients reacted to marigold. Be sure to patch test if you have sensitive or allergy-prone skin.
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.
Chamomile is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Several compounds found in chamomile help with soothing, such as bisbolol.
Antioxidant components in chamomile make it an effective ingredient to help slow the signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, or molecules that may damage your skin.
Essential oils from chamomile have been found to improve wound healing due to its antimicrobial properties.
Ancient Greeks and Egyptians used Chamomile to treat skin redness and dryness. Chamomile has also been used to help treat stomach issues.
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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a hydrating and moisturizing agent created from the reduction process of glucose.
Most sorbitol is usually made from potato starch. It is also found in fruits such as apples and pears.
As a humectant, Sorbitol helps draw water to the skin. This helps keep the skin hydrated. Sorbitol also helps create a thicker texture in products. You might find sorbitol in your toothpaste and other gels.
It is a non-irritating ingredient that is great for those with dry skin.
Sorbitol is a prebiotic. It helps promote the growth of healthy bacteria on your skin. The bacteria on your skin form a microbiome. This microbiome helps protect your skin from infection and harmful bacteria.
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!