Versus

Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant Exfoliator Versus Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel

Exfoliator
Face Cleanser
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on August 13, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin

Free From

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

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

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

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Buffering, Masking

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is the oil from the bergamot orange. It is native to Italy.

This ingredient is used to add fragrance to products. It contains limonene, linalool, and linalyl acetate.

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.

When used topically, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is a photosensitizer due to its furanocoumarins. Photosensitizers make the skin and eyes much more sensitive to sunlight. Photosensitizers are linked to skin cancer.

However, more cosmetics using Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil are removing the furanocoumarins.

Bergamot oil was also found to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse. 

It is a:

  • Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
  • Emollient, helping to soften skin
  • Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
  • Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives 
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
Antimicrobial, Preservative

This ingredient is more commonly known as IPMP or Isopropyl Methylphenol. It is a preservative and has antimicrobial properties.

According to the EPA, this ingredient is allowed for use in cleansers, creams, powders, bath products, toothpaste, perfume, and more.

When to use

132 Routines
35% use in am
65% use in pm
58% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
380 Routines
45% use in am
55% use in pm
96% 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 Special Cleansing Gel 25 ingredients

4.5 /5
from 4 ratings
Expensive (2) No Scent (2) Works Well (2)
lilykt's avatar

lilykt

4 months ago
Review

Good cleanser, but I don’t recommend using twice a day. I have combination skin and using this twice a day made my skin dry as a bone. I wasn’t using anything else besides moisturizer at the time, so I’m 100% certain it was this product causing it. Cutting back to just once a day seems to have helped but still a little on the dry side.

#expensive
#drying
#no scent
#works well