Bioverse Porifying Resurfacing Cleansing Gel Versus Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse
Updated on March 14, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA and BHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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
Bioverse Porifying Resurfacing Cleansing Gel 13 ingredients
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse 25 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Bioverse Porifying Resurfacing Cleansing Gel 13 ingredients
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse 25 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentYucca Schidigera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentDisodium EDTA
Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Mandelic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citric Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Yucca Schidigera Root Extract, Lactic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Maltodextrin, Disodium EDTA, Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil, Limonene, Linalool
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 WaterSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a cleansing agent made from a mixture of long chain sulfonate salts. It can also help produce foam.
This ingredient may be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is a synthetic cleansing agent, though it is derived from coconut oil.
It is used to enhance the texture of products by boosting lather and thickening the texture. As a cleanser, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is mild.
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 GlycerinSalicylic 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 AcidMandelic Acid helps exfoliate skin. It also contains antioxidant properties.
As an AHA, Mandelic Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.
Mandelic Acid may be an alternative to Glycolic Acid for those with sensitive skin.
Mandelic Acid may help reduce wrinkles, acne, and hyperpigmentation.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Mandelic AcidPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Ethylhexylglycerin (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.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Bioverse Porifying Resurfacing Cleansing Gel 13 ingredients
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse 25 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Bioverse Porifying Resurfacing Cleansing Gel 13 ingredients
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse 25 ingredients
This was my go-to cleanser for yeaaaars. I used it to help clear my hormonal acne and it helped heaps! It was never super stripping and didn't irritate my skin while I was using retinol, however, I have found since starting tretinoin my skin is much more sensitive and cannot tolerate this cleanser anymore :(
