Versus

ACO Sensitive Balance Micellar Cleansing Gel Versus Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser - Australia

Face Cleanser
Face Cleanser
Swedish Brand Sweden
American Brand United States

Updated on June 07, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant 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

Benefits

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin 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 Glycerin
Skin Conditioning

Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.

There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.

D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.

Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):

Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.

This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.

Learn more about Panthenol
Masking, Preservative

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.

Learn more about Sodium Benzoate

When to use

40 Routines
45% use in am
55% use in pm
98% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
2,209 Routines
49% use in am
51% use in pm
98% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

ACO Sensitive Balance Micellar Cleansing Gel 14 ingredients

3.5 /5
from 2 ratings
Light (2) Great Value (1) Hydrating (1)
sofiakarsberg's avatar

Sofia Karsberg

8 months ago
Review

Wish it was a bit more foamy. Feels like it doesn't really cleanse. Ingredients nice though. I like that the pH level is 5.0 (confirmed by ACO themselves). Smells horrible like old wine or something, I usually don't care for smell but this was strange. Another small thing, bottle is so narrow and too tall for any of my bathroom shelves. Even Cerave and Cetaphil cleansers with more amount of Show more

#light
#strong scent
#doesn't work
lj's avatar

L J

22 days ago
Review

So clean and nice to the skin !!!! I double cleanse with this 2 times and it really sooth and cleanse the skin

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#no scent

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser 10 ingredients

3.5 /5
from 25 ratings
Great Value (11) No Scent (10) Works Well (9)
bubblechaz's avatar

Farah Tiffani

8 months ago
Review

SkinSort says this product is terrible match for me 9/100 but I've been using it for years and it's my #1 product that constantly rescue me from irritation due to over exfo caused by whatever product I've been trying so far.

#great value
#hydrating
#no scent
#works well
helleng's avatar

Hellen G

10 months ago
Review

This is among the worst cleansers I’ve ever tried. I’m a big skincare gal and I’ve given this many chances. Never has it worked for my concerns.

#broke me out
#irritating
#doesn't work