Versus

Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant Exfoliator Versus Dermalogica Daily Superfoliant

Exfoliator
Exfoliator
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on August 12, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe exfoliators. They have a total of 13 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA 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 better texture

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain common allergens, fragrances and oils

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant 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

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Daily Milkfoliant Exfoliator

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate

Cleansing

Microcrystalline Cellulose

Absorbent

Sodium Bicarbonate

Abrasive
Exfoliant Icon

Sorbitol

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Zea Mays Starch

Absorbent

Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate

Cleansing

Saccharomyces Ferment

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Oryza Sativa Starch

Absorbent

Magnesium Oxide

Absorbent

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Tapioca Starch

Avena Sativa Kernel Protein

Skin Conditioning

Camellia Oleifera Seed Extract

Astringent

Silica

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract

Emollient

Inulin

Skin Conditioning

Cassia Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride

Silybum Marianum Seed Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Kaolin

Abrasive
0 / 0 Exfoliant IconGood for Oily Skin IconHelps fight Acne Icon

Lauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer

Papain

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0

Hyaluronic Acid

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Avena Sativa Kernel Extract

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Emollient
0 / 0 Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Avena Sativa Bran Extract

Abrasive
Exfoliant Icon

Glycine Soja Oil

Emollient
3 / 0 Oil IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract

Emulsion Stabilising
Fragrance Icon

Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil Icon

Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil

Astringent
Oil Icon

Salvia Sclarea Oil

Masking
Oil Icon

Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil

Perfuming
Fragrance IconOil IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil

Masking
Oil IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Cucurbita Pepo Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract

Emollient

Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract

Tonic

Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Sea Salt

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Juniperus Virginiana Oil

Masking
Oil IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide

Cleansing

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Castoryl Maleate

Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Allantoin

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Diglycerin

Humectant

Maltodextrin

Absorbent

Lauroyl Lysine

Skin Conditioning

Arginine

Masking
Good for Scar Healing IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Saccharide Isomerate

Humectant

Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate

Beta-Carotene

Skin Conditioning

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning

Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose

Emulsion Stabilising

Dextrin

Absorbent

Sodium Palmitate

Cleansing

Sodium Chloride

Masking
Can worsen Dry Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Acacia Senegal Gum

Masking

Sodium Citrate

Buffering

Water

Skin Conditioning

O-Cymen-5-Ol

Antimicrobial
Preservative Icon

Limonene

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Linalool

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon
Daily Superfoliant

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Absorbent, Emulsion Stabilising, Stabilising

Microcrystalline Cellulose is another name for refined wood pulp. It is used as an emulsifier and mattifying ingredient. As an emulsifier, it helps keep ingredients together.

Abrasive, Buffering, Skin Protecting

Sodium Bicarbonate has a more famous name: Baking soda.

In cosmetics, it is used to adjust the acidity. Due to its white crystalline solid form, it can also be an abrasive (exfoliator).

This ingredient is water-soluble.

Learn more about Sodium Bicarbonate

Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate is a gentle cleanser and surfactant. It is the sodium salt of the Cocoyl Glutamic Acid and comes from coconut oil. As a surfactant, it helps lift dirt and oil to be washed away.

Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate also has an emolliating effect and can help leave the skin feeling soft.

Oryza Sativa Starch is an absorbent and used to mattify the skin. It is a natural carbohydrate and the main component of rice. A more common name for this ingredient is 'rice starch'.

Rice starch is created by steeping broken grains in a caustic soda.

Rice extract has many skin benefits. Read more about rice extract here.

Learn more about Oryza Sativa Starch
Absorbent, Buffering

We don't have a description for Magnesium Oxide yet.

Abrasive, Absorbent

Silica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.

Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.

Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.

Learn more about Silica
Skin Conditioning

Papain is an enzyme found naturally in the papaya plant's leaves, fruit, and roots. It has antimicrobial, soothing, and wound healing properties.

Glycine and Vitamin A are naturally found in papain.

While papain is often touted as skin-lightening, further studies are needed to prove this. However, papain has been shown to help soothe acne-inflammation.

Papain belongs to a class of enzymes called proteolytic enzymes. These enzymes break down peptides and amino acids.

Some studies found papain to be a potential skin sensitizer and allergen. Those with latex allergies might also be allergic to papaya.

Learn more about Papain
Absorbent, Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning

Maltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.

In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.

As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.

Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.

Learn more about Maltodextrin
Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum
Masking

Chances 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 Chloride
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Perfuming, Solvent

Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.

It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".

Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.

When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.

The term '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.

Learn more about Limonene
Perfuming

Linalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.

Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.

This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.

Learn more about Linalool

When to use

132 Routines
35% use in am
66% use in pm
58% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
59 Routines
39% use in am
61% use in pm
63% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant Exfoliator 64 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Expensive (1) Irritating (1) No Scent (1)
jordiebearclaire's avatar

Jordan

4 months ago
Review

I have used this product on and off for ~5 months, most frequently when I felt extremely dry from stripping my skin barrier. I had a lot of flaking and wanted it gone ASAP. I chose this product at that time because of Dermalogica's claims that this product "supports moisture barrier" & "soothes/relieves skin" while getting rid of the texture I hated so much. It sounded like it would address a lot Show more

#expensive
#irritating
#no scent

Dermalogica Daily Superfoliant 41 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
KatBooy_516's avatar

KatBooy_516

1 year ago
Review

Gentle but thorough - leaves skin fresh and ready for serums and creams. Suitable for daily use for normal skin and every second day for sensitive types.