Cetaphil Gentle Clear Clarifying Acne Cream Cleanser Versus EltaMD, Inc Foaming Facial Cleanser
Updated on July 17, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, oils, parabens 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
Cetaphil Gentle Clear Clarifying Acne Cream Cleanser 18 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc Foaming Facial Cleanser 25 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
Cetaphil Gentle Clear Clarifying Acne Cream Cleanser 18 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc Foaming Facial Cleanser 25 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Distearyl Phthalic Acid Amide
EmollientSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Distearyl Phthalic Acid Amide, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Isopropyl Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Methyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether
SolventMethyl Perfluorobutyl Ether
SolventMagnesium Silicate
AbsorbentSodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningBromelain
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-14/4 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientEthylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientSodium Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingUndecylenoyl Glycine
CleansingSodium Bisulfite
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Parfum
Masking
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Acrylates Copolymer, Methyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether, Methyl Perfluorobutyl Ether, Magnesium Silicate, Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids, Bromelain, PEG/PPG-14/4 Dimethicone, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Sodium Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Capryloyl Glycine, Undecylenoyl Glycine, Sodium Bisulfite, Propylene Glycol, Maltodextrin, Coconut Acid, Sodium Chloride, Hexylene Glycol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, 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 WaterChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChloridePhenoxyethanol 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.
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 HydroxideHexylene Glycol is a surfactant. Glycols are a class of alcohols. Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, Hexylene Glycol helps gather dirt and oil on your skin to be washed away.
As an emulsifier, Hexylene Glycol helps keep water and oil together. This prevents them from separating in a product. Hexylene Glycol also thins out the texture of a product by lessening viscosity.
Hexylene Glycol has a small molecular weight.
Learn more about Hexylene GlycolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Cetaphil Gentle Clear Clarifying Acne Cream Cleanser 18 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc Foaming Facial Cleanser 25 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Cetaphil Gentle Clear Clarifying Acne Cream Cleanser 18 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc Foaming Facial Cleanser 25 ingredients
I love this cleanser, wish it was cheaper. It’s moisturizing and leaves my skin feeling fresh. Also the foaming effect is kinda fun!
Felt difficult to wash off/stuck on my skin and cause me to break out like crazy.
