Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser Versus Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser For Sensitive Skin
Updated on February 12, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both face cleansers. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, 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
Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser 17 ingredients
Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser For Sensitive Skin 25 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser 17 ingredients
Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser For Sensitive Skin 25 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 ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide
EmulsifyingPEG-16 Soy Sterol
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Disodium Lauroamphodiacetate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Coco Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
CleansingSodium Citrate
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Methylparaben
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropylparaben
Preservative
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Amino Acids
CleansingSarcosine
Skin ConditioningPotassium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, Citric Acid, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, PEG-16 Soy Sterol, Polysorbate 20, Disodium Lauroamphodiacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Coco Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Sodium Citrate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Methylparaben, Xanthan Gum, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylene Glycol, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids, Sarcosine, Potassium Aspartate, Magnesium Aspartate, Sodium Hydroxide
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:
- 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.
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 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 BetaineWe don't have a description for Disodium Lauroamphodiacetate yet.
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 GlycerinPEG-16 Soy Sterol isn't fungal acne safe.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Water. 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 WaterXanthan 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 GumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser 17 ingredients
Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser For Sensitive Skin 25 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser 17 ingredients
I've used this cleanser for a little while. Much gentler than other salicylic acid cleansers I've used. I knocked off a point because some people may be allergic to fragrance.
Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser For Sensitive Skin 25 ingredients
Basic cleanser
I use this cleanser in my morning routine. It does the job without leaving my skin feeling tight. It’s a good basic cleanser but I don’t notice any specific benefit. Would repurchase if nothing else catches my eye.
just okay
the pump foams the cleanser as it comes out, so i feel like I have to use a lot of product. it kinda dissolves on the face. does remove makeup well and is non-irritating. very inexpensive product. better for those with no skin concerns
