Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam Versus Clinique Pep-Start 2-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser
Updated on June 28, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA and hyaluronic acid
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, oils or parabens
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
Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam 33 ingredients
Clinique Pep-Start 2-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser 36 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam 33 ingredients
Clinique Pep-Start 2-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser 36 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Sucrose
HumectantDisodium Phosphate
BufferingArginine Cocoate
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingCola Nitida Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
Emollient
Mentha Piperita Callus Lysate
Antioxidant
Sea Whip Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
PPG-6
Skin ConditioningDecyltetradeceth-30
CleansingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingLongifolene
MaskingAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingPerillaldehyde
Masking
10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-7
Beta-Caryophyllene
Masking
Phospholipids
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearate
CleansingSodium Salicylate
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chloroxylenol
Antimicrobial
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sucrose, Disodium Phosphate, Arginine Cocoate, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Cola Nitida Seed Extract, Caffeine, Algae Extract, Mentha Piperita Callus Lysate, Sea Whip Extract, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, PPG-6, Decyltetradeceth-30, Lactobacillus Ferment, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Longifolene, Acetyl Glucosamine, Capryloyl Glycine, Perillaldehyde, 10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid, Polyquaternium-7, Beta-Caryophyllene, Phospholipids, Sodium Stearate, Sodium Salicylate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Chloroxylenol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Silica
Abrasive
Acrylates Copolymer
Lauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sucrose
HumectantCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningSodium Coco Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
CleansingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingLaureth-2
CleansingSodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Sulfate
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMonosodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 15510
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Silica, Acrylates Copolymer, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Sucrose, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Salicylic Acid, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sodium Coco Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Polysorbate 20, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Citric Acid, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Laureth-2, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Sulfate, Carbomer, Monosodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, CI 15510, CI 19140, CI 14700
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Salicylic 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 AcidWater. 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 WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinButylene 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.
Sucrose is a natural sugar found in fruits, vegetables, and nuts. It is the main constituent of white sugar.
In skincare, sucrose is a humectant and can be a mild exfoliant.
Sucrose is hydrophilic, meaning it attracts water. This makes it an effective humectant and helps hydrate the skin.
Studies show sugars may worsen acne-prone skin due to it disrupting the skin's natural biome. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
In some products such as body scrubs, sucrose is used as an gentle exfoliant.
The term 'sucrose' comes from the french word for sugar, 'sucre'.
Learn more about SucroseWe don't have a description for Laminaria Saccharina Extract yet.
Caffeine is most associated with coffee, tea, and cacao. In skincare, it helps with calming inflammation and is rich in antioxidants.
While caffeine is used to treat cellulite and and dark circles, further studies are needed to prove this. It has been believed to help with these skin conditions due to its ability to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow.
Some studies are looking into caffeine's ability to protect against UV rays.
Learn more about CaffeineSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateAcetyl Glucosamine is an antioxidant and humectant. It is an amino acid sugar and is naturally found in our skin.
The cool thing about this ingredient? It helps the skin produce hyaluronic acid and boost hydration. It also has antioxidant benefits to protect skin cells.
When paired with niacinamide, Acetyl Glucosamine has been shown to be effective at reducing discoloration.
Learn more about Acetyl GlucosamineDisodium 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 EDTAPhenoxyethanol 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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam 33 ingredients
Clinique Pep-Start 2-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser 36 ingredients
