A-derma Biology AC Purifying Cleansing Foaming Gel Versus Avène Cicalfate+ Purifying Cleansing Gel
Updated on February 22, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens or silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
A-derma Biology AC Purifying Cleansing Foaming Gel 17 ingredients
Avène Cicalfate+ Purifying Cleansing Gel 15 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
A-derma Biology AC Purifying Cleansing Foaming Gel 17 ingredients
Avène Cicalfate+ Purifying Cleansing Gel 15 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Coco-Glucoside Citrate
EmulsifyingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingGarcinia Mangostana Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice
Skin ConditioningTaraxacum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Disodium Coco-Glucoside Citrate, Decyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract, Avena Sativa Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice, Taraxacum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Citric Acid, Parfum, Maltodextrin, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Sodium Chloride, Xanthan Gum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterWe don't have a description for Disodium Coco-Glucoside Citrate yet.
Decyl Glucoside is a glucose-based surfactant and emulsion stabilizer. It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.
Surfactants help clean the skin by trapping oil, sebum, and dirt to be washed away. As an emulsion stabilizer, it stabilizes the ingredients in a product by preventing them from separating.
This ingredient is biodegradable and non-toxic. This ingredient is commonly found in baby shampoos.
Decyl Glucoside is sometimes used to stabilize the UV filter Tinosorb.
Learn more about Decyl GlucosideGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolWe don't have a description for Sodium Cocoamphoacetate yet.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
A-derma Biology AC Purifying Cleansing Foaming Gel 17 ingredients
Avène Cicalfate+ Purifying Cleansing Gel 15 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
A-derma Biology AC Purifying Cleansing Foaming Gel 17 ingredients
Super good, smell exactly like ripe custard apple, doesn't irritate my super sensitive skin.
before this products i used a soap and creme that killed my skin barrier then i used it and i had fungal acne
Avène Cicalfate+ Purifying Cleansing Gel 15 ingredients
Love this cleanser. I use it even for eyes area.
My skin is very sensitive and this gel is just perfect.
