Acne Free Oil-Free Acne Cleanser Versus Bio Essence AHA BHA Amino Acid Cleanser
Updated on September 25, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
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
Acne Free Oil-Free Acne Cleanser 18 ingredients
Bio Essence AHA BHA Amino Acid Cleanser 17 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Acne Free Oil-Free Acne Cleanser 18 ingredients
Bio Essence AHA BHA Amino Acid Cleanser 17 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingMethyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%, Water, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Glycolic Acid, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Carbomer, Ceramide EOP
Glycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Euglena Gracilis Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Dextrin
AbsorbentPolydextrose
HumectantAmylopectin
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
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 WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinXanthan 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 GumCitric 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 AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Acne Free Oil-Free Acne Cleanser 18 ingredients
Bio Essence AHA BHA Amino Acid Cleanser 17 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Acne Free Oil-Free Acne Cleanser 18 ingredients
I use this on days when I'm not applying adapalene to my face. It's a bit watery, but stays once lathered a bit. It's pretty cheap and does a good job at keeping my purging from adapalene under control. Has a few goodies like glycolic acid and ceramides. Not super drying since it's a low concentration of bp. At 2.5% you probably need to keep this on for 30s before rinsing to remove 93% of acne Show more
