AOA Skin pH 5.5 Cica + Licorice Root Gel Cleanser Versus iUNIK Centella Bubble Cleansing Foam
Updated on February 26, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and 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, brightening skin, sensitive skin, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
AOA Skin pH 5.5 Cica + Licorice Root Gel Cleanser 24 ingredients
iUNIK Centella Bubble Cleansing Foam 24 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
AOA Skin pH 5.5 Cica + Licorice Root Gel Cleanser 24 ingredients
iUNIK Centella Bubble Cleansing Foam 24 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Coco-Betaine
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Alaninate
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Lauryl Glucoside
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPotassium Cocoate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Lauryl Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Potassium Cocoate, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA, Allantoin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Butylene Glycol, Parfum
Centella Asiatica Leaf Water
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingTea-Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
Antimicrobial
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningPerilla Frutescens Leaf Extract
MaskingAspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningCommiphora Myrrha Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Water, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Trehalose, Allantoin, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Hexylene Glycol, Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum
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 Glycerin1,2-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
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 AcidCaprylyl 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.
Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
AOA Skin pH 5.5 Cica + Licorice Root Gel Cleanser 24 ingredients
iUNIK Centella Bubble Cleansing Foam 24 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
AOA Skin pH 5.5 Cica + Licorice Root Gel Cleanser 24 ingredients
iUNIK Centella Bubble Cleansing Foam 24 ingredients
Such an underrated product. Its feels really nice on the skin and cleanses deeply.
It's a very good cleanser in general, its foamy texture is very pleasant, it gives a refreshed look and has a very mild, light scent. It cleanses very well but leaves the skin a little dry, so I wouldn't recommend it if you have dehydrated skin.
