Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser Versus Aveeno Positively Radiant Brightening Cleanser
Overview
What they are
These products are both face cleansers. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils or silicones
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
Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser 17 ingredients
Aveeno Positively Radiant Brightening Cleanser 24 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
Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser 17 ingredients
Aveeno Positively Radiant Brightening Cleanser 24 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 0.5%
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Disodium EDTA
Disodium Lauroamphodiacetate
CleansingParfum
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingPEG-16 Soy Sterol
Emulsifying
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Sorbitol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid 0.5%, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium EDTA, Disodium Lauroamphodiacetate, Parfum, Glycerin, Glycine Soja Protein, PEG-16 Soy Sterol, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sorbitol, Water, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Acrylates Copolymer
PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate
Di-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate
Emollient
PEG-16 Soy Sterol
Emulsifying
Glycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Soyamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingParfum
Masking
DMDM Hydantoin
Preservative
Lauryl Methyl Gluceth-10 Hydroxypropyldimonium Chloride
Methylparaben
Preservative
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyquaternium-10
Silica
Abrasive
Citric Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Acrylates Copolymer, PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate, Di-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate, PEG-16 Soy Sterol, Glycine Soja Protein, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Glycerin, Soyamidopropyl Betaine, Parfum, DMDM Hydantoin, Lauryl Methyl Gluceth-10 Hydroxypropyldimonium Chloride, Methylparaben, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyquaternium-10, Silica, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Mica, Titanium Dioxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCitric 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 AcidCocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineGlycerin 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 GlycerinGlycine Soja Protein comes from the soybean. It is an emulsifer and helps to condition skin. Emulsifiers prevent ingredients from separating, such as water and oils.
Learn more about Glycine Soja Oil.
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 ParfumPEG-16 Soy Sterol isn't fungal acne safe.
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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser 17 ingredients
Aveeno Positively Radiant Brightening Cleanser 24 ingredients
Reviews
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