Versus

Anua 8 Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Gentle Gel Cleanser Versus Fresh Soy Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser

Face Cleanser
Face Cleanser
Korean Brand South Korea
American Brand United States

Updated on October 17, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, 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 Side-by-side

found in both products
8 Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Gentle Gel Cleanser
Soy Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser

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, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse. 

It is a:

  • Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
  • Emollient, helping to soften skin
  • Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
  • Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives 
Solvent

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin. 

It’s often used to:

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol
Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol
Buffering, Masking

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 Acid
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.

Learn more about Butylene Glycol

When to use

309 Routines
42% use in am
58% use in pm
98% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
369 Routines
43% use in am
57% use in pm
98% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Anua 8 Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Gentle Gel Cleanser 30 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 4 ratings
Hydrating (3) Works Well (3) Great Value (2)
violetohl's avatar

Violet Ohl

3 months ago
Review

Love this gel cleanser. It is so hydrating and doesn’t strip the skin, but I feel squeaky clean. I use this twice a day & I have Rosacea & acne/fungal acne prone skin. I was concerned about the citric acid but I haven't had any negative reactions or noticed any acne as a result of using this product.

I also have a sensitivity to high strengths of butylene glycol but this one does not irritate Show more

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

Khrystina Clarke

3 months ago
Review

Love this cleanser so much! It has fast become my HG! It feels so comfortable and soothing, no feel of stripping at all and it gives my skin the most beautiful glow and softness. It also has no niacinamide (lol!)... I had way too many products in my routine with that ingredient.

#great value
#hydrating
#works well

Fresh Soy Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser 30 ingredients

4.5 /5
from 11 ratings
Light (3) Light Scent (3) Hydrating (3)
JenR_686's avatar

JenR_686

1 year ago
Review

So good for all skin concerns. Lightly scented, not harsh at all. Good as a makeup remover and cleanser. Does not burn eyes. Been using for 10 years and have yet to find something better.

9ez9oza's avatar

Yasmine Oueld El Hachemi

12 months ago
Review

Very gentle, and doesn’t smell strong. It wasn’t harsh on my skin. I got the mini version to try it, and it did not disappoint me at all! I will definitely recommend it!

#hydrating
#light
#light scent