Beautycounter Countercontrol Clear Pore Cleanser Versus Kiehl's Herbal-Infused Micellar Cleansing Water
Updated on December 20, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA and BHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin and reducing pores
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and oils
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
Beautycounter Countercontrol Clear Pore Cleanser 24 ingredients
Kiehl's Herbal-Infused Micellar Cleansing Water 17 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Beautycounter Countercontrol Clear Pore Cleanser 24 ingredients
Kiehl's Herbal-Infused Micellar Cleansing Water 17 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate
CleansingDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Sodium Citrate
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningGaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPhytic Acid
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Canarium Luzonicum Gum Nonvolatiles
MaskingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Lauryl Glucoside, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Jojoba Esters, Sodium Citrate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Gaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Salicylic Acid, Acacia Senegal Gum, Phytic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Canarium Luzonicum Gum Nonvolatiles, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventMelissa Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Water
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Coco-Betaine
CleansingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhytic Acid
Buddleja Davidii Extract
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Extract
Perfuming
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Oil
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Melissa Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Water, Arginine, Salicylic Acid, Coco-Betaine, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Phytic Acid, Buddleja Davidii Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Citric Acid, Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Oil
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 WaterWe don't have a description for Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate yet.
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside is an alkyl glucoside. This just means it is creating by reacting alcohol and sugar. It is a cleansing and foaming ingredient.
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside helps remove the dirt, oil, and other pollutants from your skin.
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 GlycerinSodium Cocoyl Glutamate is a gentle cleanser and surfactant. It is the sodium salt of the Cocoyl Glutamic Acid and comes from coconut oil. As a surfactant, it helps lift dirt and oil to be washed away.
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate also has an emolliating effect and can help leave the skin feeling soft.
Xanthan 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 GumSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidPhytic Acid is a gentle AHA and antioxidant. AHAs are chemical exfoliants that help remove dead skin cells. Phytic Acid has a slight and mild exfoliating effect.
The chemical makeup makes it classified as an AHA, much like lactic acid.
In some cases, it is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water, helping to stabilize the ingredients in a product.
An interesting fact about phytic acid is that it is considered an antinutrient. People do not have the enzyme needed to properly breakdown and digest phytic acid. When ingested, phytic acid binds to minerals and prevents them from being absorbed.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Phytic AcidCitric 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 AcidIngredient Ratings
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