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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Dermalogica Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash versus Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on September 26, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain BHA

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or silicones

What's Inside

They both contain oils

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Face Cleanser American Brand United States
Face Cleanser American Brand United States

Face Cleanser

Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).

Face Cleanser

Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).

Price

Shop

Buy Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash

Starts at $19.50
Shop

Buy Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser

Starts at $15.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

BHA

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin (3)
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

BHA

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Reduces Irritation
Reduces Large Pores
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying (3)
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

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 Acid

Dermalogica Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash contains this as ingredient number 1.

Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Dermalogica Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash contains this as ingredient number 2.

Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene 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.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Dermalogica Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash contains this as ingredient number 11.

Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 9.

4
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

Dermalogica Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash contains this as ingredient number 20.

Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 16.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

20% are loved or liked
20% have mixed ratings
30% are disliked or very disliked
30% have no rating yet
28% are loved or liked
17% have mixed ratings
50% are disliked or very disliked
6% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Dermalogica Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash 20 ingredients

1.0 /5
from 1 review
JessicaAllen's Avatar'
Apr 25, 2024

I found this very drying for my combination skin, used with the oil free moisturiser from the same range I found my skin was tight and itchy, making me want to touch my skin and scratch it

I found this very drying for my combination skin, used with the oil free moisturiser from the same range I found my skin was tight and itchy, making me want to touch my skin and scratch it

Drying

Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser 18 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 review

Alternatives

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