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Face Cleansers

Ingredient Reports Using Research From
Do you know what’s in your face cleanser? Some cleansers contain harsh chemicals that do serious damage to your skin in the long run. Choosing the right face cleanser means understanding what’s inside so you can have clear, clean and healthy skin.

Best For Face Cleansers

Indicates ingredients best for cleansing products.

Good Ingredients

Indicates ingredients with nice to have or neutral benefits.

Unfavorable Ingredients

Indicates ingredient which may be considered unfavorable.

Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser product image
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2,180+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com

Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser

7/22 Best Ingredients
11/22 Good Ingredients
4/22 Unfavorable Ingredients
5/22 Natural Ingredients
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Anti-aging Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
1
Cleansing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
4
  • sodium laureth sulfate
    Sodium Laureth Sulfate. Surfactant, cleansing agent
  • laureth 4 carboxylic acid
    Laureth-4 Carboxylic Acid. Surfactant, cleansing agent
  • charcoal powder
    Charcoal Powder. Skin cleansing ingredient
  • disodium edta
    Edta. Chelating agent, removes unwanted compounds from the skin. Considered safe because it's difficult to absorb through skin
    Source: National Institutes of Health - PMID: 12396676
Healing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
2
  • sorbitol
    Sorbitol. Repairs and moisturizes skin
  • menthol
    Menthol. Anti-irritant properties
Moisturizing Ingredients
2
  • mannitol
    Mannitol. Skin-conditioning agent, humectant
  • caprylic/capric triglyceride
    Caprylic Acid. Coconut oil based skin-conditioning agent, emollient
Neutral Ingredients
9
  • water
    Aqua. Water
  • ethylhexylglycerin
    Ethyl Hexyl Glycerin. Preservative derived from natural substances
  • acrylates/c10 30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer
    Acrylates/c10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer. Useful for combining ingredients, film forming, emulsion stabilizing, viscosity controlling
  • fragrance
    Fragrance.
  • sodium hydroxide
    Sodium Hydroxide. Controls pH levels. Skin irritation or pain if used above concentration limits.
    Source: National Institutes of Health - PubChem CID: 14798
  • polyouaternium 39
    Polyouaternium-39. Film forming agent
  • iron oxides
    Iron Oxides. Color
  • cellulose
    Cellulose. Thickener
  • hydroxypropyl methylcellulose
    Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose. Film forming agent
Unfavorable Ingredients
4
Proactiv Renewing Cleanser product image
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360+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com

Proactiv Renewing Cleanser

6/22 Best Ingredients
12/22 Good Ingredients
4/22 Unfavorable Ingredients
3/22 Natural Ingredients
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360+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com
Cleansing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
2
  • disodium peg 12 dimethicone sulfosuccinate
    Disodium Peg-12 Dimethicone Sulfosuccinate. Surfactant, cleansing agent
Healing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
4
  • anthemis nobilis flower extract
    Chamomile. Anti-inflammatory properties. Rare cases of chamomile allergy exist.
  • sodium hyaluronate
    Sodium Hyaluronate. Heals damaged skin
Abrasive Ingredients
1
  • polyethylene
    Polyethylene. Abrasive agent
Moisturizing Ingredients
5
  • glyceryl stearate
    Glyceryl Monoester. Skin-conditioning agent, emollient
  • tridecyl stearate
    Tridecyl Stearate. Emollient
  • neopentyl glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate
    Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/dicaprate. Emollient
  • cetyl esters
    Cetyl Ester. Skin conditioner, emollient
  • tridecyl trimellitate
    Tridecyl Trimellitate. Emollient
Neutral Ingredients
6
  • other water
    Aqua. Water
  • magnesium aluminum silicate
    Magnesium Aluminum Silicate. Thickener
  • dimethyl isosorbide
    Dimethyl Isosorbide. Solvent
  • sodium pca
    Sodium Pca. Emulsifying agent
  • xanthan gum
    Xanthan Gum. Thickening agent
  • fragrance
    Fragrance.
Unfavorable Ingredients
4
  • propylene glycol
    Propylene Glycol. Antiseptic and preservative. Possibly irritating to skin.
    Source: National Institutes of Health - PMID: 16283903
  • imidazolidinyl urea
    Imidazolidinyl Urea. Preservative. Potential contact allergy.
Albolene Moisturizing Cleanser product image
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1,180+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com

Albolene Moisturizing Cleanser

1/5 Best Ingredient
3/5 Good Ingredients
1/5 Unfavorable Ingredient
2/5 Natural Ingredients
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IngredientSpy Rating
1,180+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com
Healing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
1
  • beta carotene
    Beta-carotene. Heals skin and protect from sun damage
Moisturizing Ingredients
1
  • petrolatum
    Petrolatum. Helps other moisturizing ingredients by keeping them on the skin longer
Neutral Ingredients
2
  • paraffin
    Paraffin. Fragrance, thickening agent
  • ceresin
    Ceresin. Thickening agent, wax derived from ozokerite
Unfavorable Ingredients
1
Obagi Medical Gentle Cleanser product image
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370+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com

Obagi Medical Gentle Cleanser

8/23 Best Ingredients
8/23 Good Ingredients
7/23 Unfavorable Ingredients
8/23 Natural Ingredients
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IngredientSpy Rating
370+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com
Anti-aging Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
2
Cleansing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
2
  • sodium lauroyl oat amino acids
    Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids. Cleansing agent
  • sodium laureth sulfate
    Sodium Laureth Sulfate. Surfactant, cleansing agent
Healing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
4
  • apricot kernel oil
    Apricot Kernel Oil. Rich in vitamins. Used as an emollient with anti-inflammatory properties.
  • panthenol
    Vitamin B5. Heals broken or itchy skin
Moisturizing Ingredients
1
  • oleyl lactate
    Oleyl Lactate. Emollient
Conditioning Ingredients
1
  • borage extract
    Borage. Skin-conditioning agent.
Neutral Ingredients
6
  • purified water
    Aqua. Water
  • glycereth 7
    Glycereth-7. Thickener
  • acrylates/c10 30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer
    Acrylates/c10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer. Useful for combining ingredients, film forming, emulsion stabilizing, viscosity controlling
  • ethoxydiglycol
    Ethoxydiglycol. Solvent
  • fragrance
    Fragrance.
  • fd&c yellow #5
    Pigment. Pigment for skin care products.
Unfavorable Ingredients
7
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser product image
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1,370+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

9/23 Best Ingredients
9/23 Good Ingredients
5/23 Unfavorable Ingredients
2/23 Natural Ingredients
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IngredientSpy Rating
1,370+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com
Anti-aging Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
3
Cleansing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
2
  • polyoxyl 40 stearate
    Peg Monostearate. Cleansing agent
Healing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
4
  • ceramide 3
    Ceramide. Ceramides promote healthy skin. Used in the skin to create a waterproof barrier that is capable of protecting the underlying skin tissues
  • ceramide 6 ii
    Ceramide. Ceramides promote healthy skin. Used in the skin to create a waterproof barrier that is capable of protecting the underlying skin tissues
  • ceramide 1
    Ceramide. Ceramides promote healthy skin. Used in the skin to create a waterproof barrier that is capable of protecting the underlying skin tissues
  • cholesterol
    Cholesterol. Promotes healthy skin. Used in the skin to create a waterproof barrier that is capable of protecting the underlying skin tissues
Moisturizing Ingredients
1
  • glyceryl monostearate
    Glyceryl Monoester. Skin-conditioning agent, emollient
Conditioning Ingredients
2
  • potassium phosphate
    Potassium Phosphate. PH adjuster
  • dipotassium phosphate
    Potassium Phosphate. PH adjuster
Neutral Ingredients
6
  • purified water
    Aqua. Water
  • behentrimonium methosulfate
    Behentrimonium Methosulfate. Emulsifying agent
  • cetearyl alcohol
    Cetearyl Alcohol. Thickening agent
  • sodium lauroyl lactylate
    Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate. Emulsifying agent
  • carbomer
    Carbomer. Controls consistency
  • xanthan gum
    Xanthan Gum. Thickening agent
Unfavorable Ingredients
5
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser product image
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910+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com

Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser

1/10 Best Ingredient
8/10 Good Ingredients
1/10 Unfavorable Ingredient
1/10 Natural Ingredient
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IngredientSpy Rating
910+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com
Anti-aging Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
1
Moisturizing Ingredients
1
  • caprylyl glycol
    Caprylyl Glycol. Skin conditioner, moisturizer
Neutral Ingredients
7
  • water
    Aqua. Water
  • cetearyl alcohol
    Cetearyl Alcohol. Thickening agent
  • polyglyceryl 10 laurate
    Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate. Skin conditioning agent
  • ethylhexylglycerin
    Ethyl Hexyl Glycerin. Preservative derived from natural substances
  • cetearyl glucoside
    Cetearyl Glucoside. Emulsifying agent
  • carbomer
    Carbomer. Controls consistency
  • sodium hydroxide
    Sodium Hydroxide. Controls pH levels. Skin irritation or pain if used above concentration limits.
    Source: National Institutes of Health - PubChem CID: 14798
Unfavorable Ingredients
1
Proactiv Deep Cleansing Wash product image
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420+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com

Proactiv Deep Cleansing Wash

6/24 Best Ingredients
7/24 Good Ingredients
11/24 Unfavorable Ingredients
5/24 Natural Ingredients
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IngredientSpy Rating
420+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com
Anti-aging Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
2
Cleansing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
3
  • ammonium laureth sulfate
    Ammonium Laureth Sulfate. Cleansing agent. Irritating if not used with other good ingredients.
    Source: National Institutes of Health - PMID: 20634505
  • peg 120 methyl glucose dioleate
    Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate. Surfactant, cleansing agent
Healing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
1
  • menthol
    Menthol. Anti-irritant properties
Abrasive Ingredients
2
  • polyethylene
    Polyethylene. Abrasive agent
Moisturizing Ingredients
1
  • jojoba esters
    Jojoba. Moisturizer
Neutral Ingredients
4
  • fragrance
    Fragrance.
  • chromium hydroxide green
    Ci 77289. Green food color
Unfavorable Ingredients
11
Clean & Clear Essentials Foaming Facial Cleanser product image
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480+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com

Clean & Clear Essentials Foaming Facial Cleanser

4/16 Best Ingredients
5/16 Good Ingredients
7/16 Unfavorable Ingredients
1/16 Natural Ingredient
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IngredientSpy Rating
480+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com
Anti-aging Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
2
Cleansing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
1
  • c9 15 alkyl phosphate
    C9-15 Alkyl Phosphate. Surfactant, cleansing agent
Healing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
1
  • lauric acid
    Lauric Acid. Strong bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties
Neutral Ingredients
5
  • water
    Aqua. Water
  • hydroxypropyl methylcellulose
    Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose. Film forming agent
  • fragrance
    Fragrance.
  • red 4
    Pigment. Pigment for skin care products.
  • yellow 10
    Pigment. Pigment for skin care products.
Unfavorable Ingredients
7
Aqua Glycolic Facial Cleanser product image
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270+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com

Aqua Glycolic Facial Cleanser

2/9 Best Ingredients
3/9 Good Ingredients
4/9 Unfavorable Ingredients
1/9 Natural Ingredient
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IngredientSpy Rating
270+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com
Cleansing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
1
Healing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
1
  • sorbitol
    Sorbitol. Repairs and moisturizes skin
Abrasive Ingredients
2
  • ammonium glycolate
    Ammonium Glycolate. Abrasive agent
Neutral Ingredients
1
  • purified water
    Aqua. Water
Unfavorable Ingredients
4
Lumene Radiant Touch Refreshing Foam Cleanser product image
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20+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com

Lumene Radiant Touch Refreshing Foam Cleanser

4/22 Best Ingredients
10/22 Good Ingredients
8/22 Unfavorable Ingredients
5/22 Natural Ingredients
Show Ingredients
IngredientSpy Rating
20+ Reviews Details on Amazon.com
Cleansing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
3
  • disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate
    Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate. Surfactant, cleansing agent
  • stearic acid
    Stearic Acid. Surfactant, softening agent.
Healing Ingredients (Best For Face Cleansers)
1
  • rubus chamaemorus seed oil
    Cloudberry. Skin-conditioning agent, contains high doses of Vitamin C
Moisturizing Ingredients
3
  • hydrogenated polydecene
    Polydecene. Emollient
  • prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil
    Sweet Almond. Skin-conditioning agent, emollient
  • glyceryl stearate
    Glyceryl Monoester. Skin-conditioning agent, emollient
Neutral Ingredients
7
  • water
    Aqua. Water
  • cetearyl alcohol
    Cetearyl Alcohol. Thickening agent
  • acrylates/c10 30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer
    Acrylates/c10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer. Useful for combining ingredients, film forming, emulsion stabilizing, viscosity controlling
  • sodium hydroxide
    Sodium Hydroxide. Controls pH levels. Skin irritation or pain if used above concentration limits.
    Source: National Institutes of Health - PubChem CID: 14798
  • dehydroacetic acid
    Dehydroacetic Acid. Preservative. No skin reacitons
  • limonene
    Limonene. Fragrance
  • parfum
    Fragrance.
Unfavorable Ingredients
8
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Effects include significant improvement in the hydration of the outer layer of skin, reduction of small wrinkles
Skin-conditioning agent, helps smooth wrinkled skin
Chelating agent, removes unwanted compounds from the skin. Considered safe because it's difficult to absorb through skin
Natural preservative, chelating agent, removes unwanted compounds from the skin.
Used as antioxidant with numerous anti-aging benefits
Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, possesses skin protecting properties that reduce skin aging.
Anti-inflammatory properties. Rare cases of chamomile allergy exist.
Heals broken or itchy skin
Fragrance, cleansing ingredient
Antioxidant properties. Protects against UV rays, has anti-inflammatory properties.
Foaming agent, surfactant
Cleansing agent
Repairs and moisturizes skin
Cleansing agent, safe as used in cosmetics
Antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties
Surfactant, cleansing agent
Surfactant, cleansing agent
Surfactant, cleansing agent
Coconut derived surfactant, cleansing agent
Antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects
Surfactant, softening agent.
Antimicrobial, skin-conditioning agent
Surfactant, cleansing agent
Cleansing agent. Irritating if not used with other good ingredients.
Surfactant, cleansing agent
Pumps up wrinkles, reducing their visibility
Used to treats numerous skin conditions including eczema and acne. Also has exfoliating properties.
Anti-irritant properties
Antioxidant properties. Studies demonstrate no significant irritation, sensitization, or photosensitization.
Antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial properties
Stimulates skin regeneration
Cleansing agent
Cleansing Agent
Cleansing agent
Powerful antioxidant properties
Skin-healing and moisturizing properties
Cleansing agent
Potentially reduces wrinkle depth and promotes normal skin functions
Promotes healthy skin. Used in the skin to create a waterproof barrier that is capable of protecting the underlying skin tissues
Ceramides promote healthy skin. Used in the skin to create a waterproof barrier that is capable of protecting the underlying skin tissues
Heals damaged skin
Antioxidant, antibacterial properties
Strong bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties
Rich in vitamins. Used as an emollient with anti-inflammatory properties.
Sunflower seed oil is used as an emollient. It is a good source of Vitamin E and helps heal dry skin.
Peeling and skin-healing properties. Used to rejuvenate photo-aged skin.
Antibacterial properties
Heals damaged skin
Surfactant, cleansing agent
Antibacterial, antioxidant and skin healing properties
Exclude Ingredients
Preservative. Considered safe, however cases of eczema and urticaria due to this ingredient have been recorded.
Cleansing agent. Potential skin allergen
Preservative. Potentially irritating or sensitizing when applied to damaged or broken skin.
Preservative. Potentially irritating or sensitizing when applied to damaged or broken skin.
Preservative. Potentially skin irritant
Lubricant. Known potential cause for eczema and allergic reactions.
Antiseptic and preservative. Possibly irritating to skin.
Preservative. Could produce allergic contact dermatitis
Solvent, conditioning agent. Possible contact allergen
Controls pH levels. Potentially irritating to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract.
Preservative. Potential cause of eye irritation or contact dermatitis
Fragrance. Skin and eye hazard: Redness. Pain.
Emulsifying agent. occasional reports of hypersensitivity to polysorbates following their topical use. polysorbates have also been associated with serious adverse effects.
Fragrance. Has been associated with irritant dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, and photodermatitis
Lubricant. Known potential cause for eczema and allergic reactions.
Fragrance. Possible cause for allergic contact dermatitis.
Preservative. Symptoms of exposure to this compound include skin sensitivity reactions, contact dermatitis, urticaria and angioedema. It can cause skin and eye irritation.
Skin healing, moisturizing properties. Potential skin allergen.
Preservative. Potential contact allergy.
Preservative. Potentially irritating or sensitizing when applied to damaged or broken skin.
Cleansing agent. Irritating to skin. Possible cause for eczema.
Fragrance, emollient. May cause irritation and redness. Could exacerbate existing skin conditions.
Preservative. Could produce allergic contact dermatitis
Preservative. Potential skin irritant
Fragrance. Sensitizer and contact allergen.
Cleansing agent, irritating to skin.
Fragrance. Tightens skin. Anti dandruff. Citrus medica limonum (lemon oil) is found to be potentially phototoxic.
Preservative. Possible cause for contact urticaria and other contact reactions
Antimicrobial cleansing agent. Potential skin irritant.
Fragrance, could cause skin irritation.
Not safe or effective for treating any condition.
Cleansing agent, contact allergen to some.
Preservative which can release formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is classified as carcinogenic and allergenic.
Cleansing agent. Multiple cases of contact allergy
Emollient, potential contact allergen
Popular herbal treatment in Asia. Dong quai contains chemicals that are considered to be cancer-causing (carcinogens).
Preservative. Potentially irritating or sensitizing when applied to damaged or broken skin.
Sunscreen ingredient. Could produce allergic contact dermatitis
Fragrance. Could cause contact dermatitis and skin irritation.
Emulsifying agent. occasional reports of hypersensitivity to polysorbates following their topical use. polysorbates have also been associated with serious adverse effects.
Surfactant, cleansing agent. May cause skin irritation and redness.
Vitamin A with palmitic acid could enhance photocarcinogenesis. Avoid sun exposure when using.
Fragrance. Possible contact allergen
Fragrance. Potential allergen after oxidation (contact with air)
Fragrance. May irritate skin and eyes.
Preservative. Negative effects include contact dermatitis and contact allergy

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