Clearasil Skin Perfecting Wash Versus Olay Regenerating Cream Facial Cleanser
Updated on April 29, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 15 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA and exfoliants
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any oils, parabens or silicones
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and 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
Clearasil Skin Perfecting Wash 26 ingredients
Olay Regenerating Cream Facial Cleanser 20 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Clearasil Skin Perfecting Wash 26 ingredients
Olay Regenerating Cream Facial Cleanser 20 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Betaine
CleansingDistearyldimonium Chloride
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSteareth-21
CleansingHydrated Silica
Abrasive
Parfum
Masking
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
BHT
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Glycerin, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Betaine, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Salicylic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Steareth-21, Hydrated Silica, Parfum, Behenyl Alcohol, Steareth-2, Niacinamide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Benzyl Salicylate, BHT, Butylene Glycol, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningPPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Betaine
CleansingHydrated Silica
Abrasive
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Distearyldimonium Chloride
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Carnosine
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
PPG-30
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Steareth-21
CleansingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
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 PPG-15 Stearyl Ether 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 GlycerinStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients.
Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent alcohols. FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholWe don't have a description for Cetyl Betaine yet.
We don't have a description for Distearyldimonium Chloride yet.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a sulfate with surfactant properties.
The surfactant property make it a great foam creator and cleansing agent. Surfactants help bind ingredients that normally do not mix.
Some studies have shown skin irritation due to prolonged SLS use.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a milder version of SLS.
Learn more about Sodium Lauryl SulfateSalicylic 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 AcidCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholWe don't have a description for Steareth-21 yet.
Hydrated Silica is a type of silicon dioxide. It is called 'hydrated silica' because it is silica with extra bonded water atoms.
It is an absorbent and abrasive, meaning it is exfoliating.
Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied.
Learn more about Hydrated SilicaParfum 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 ParfumA type of fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as traditional alcohols.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
Behenyl Alcohol is usually derived from the fats in vegetable oils.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholSteareth-2 is a waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients. It is created from polyethylene glycol and stearyl alcohol.
The 2 stands for the number of ethylene oxide units used to create this ingredient.
Disodium 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
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