Differin Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Cleanser Versus Safi Acne Solutions 3 in 1 Cica Micellar Gel Cleanser
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, niacinamide and PHA
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, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens or silicones
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
Differin Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Cleanser 17 ingredients
Safi Acne Solutions 3 in 1 Cica Micellar Gel Cleanser 22 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Differin Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Cleanser 17 ingredients
Safi Acne Solutions 3 in 1 Cica Micellar Gel Cleanser 22 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
PEG-8
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Dextrin
AbsorbentPolydextrose
HumectantAmylopectin
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, PEG-8, Sodium Hydroxide, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Propylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Mandelic Acid, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Salicylic Acid, Dextrin, Polydextrose, Amylopectin, Niacinamide, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Phenoxyethanol
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 WaterGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneCocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineNiacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about NiacinamideSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideThis ingredient is a surfactant and foam producer.
Mandelic Acid helps exfoliate skin. It also contains antioxidant properties.
As an AHA, Mandelic Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.
Mandelic Acid may be an alternative to Glycolic Acid for those with sensitive skin.
Mandelic Acid may help reduce wrinkles, acne, and hyperpigmentation.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Mandelic AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Differin Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Cleanser 17 ingredients
Safi Acne Solutions 3 in 1 Cica Micellar Gel Cleanser 22 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Differin Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Cleanser 17 ingredients
TL;DR: Affordable and helpful with breakouts. Can be mildly drying, but not as drying as other "acne-safe" cleansers. Specifically formulated with retinoid use in mind.
Picked this up when I first started tret. I believe this DOES have AHA's in it (that you have to hunt for in the ingredients list—they're not called out), which can make it mildly drying and exfoliating, but I do find my cystic Show more
A good basic cleanser.
Safi Acne Solutions 3 in 1 Cica Micellar Gel Cleanser 22 ingredients
Does the job and very affordable
I've been using this cleanser for months, it contains those ingredients that I want for oily and acne-prone skin, and it is very affordable. I have no new breakouts, it controls my sebum production, and it cleanses well. Definitely recommend people with my skin type to give this a try. It saves my skin and also my wallet haha
I honestly didnt expect this cheap cleanser might help my skin but it does. A bit drying but i only use once a day which is a night. Suitable for those who is too lazy to wear exfoliating toner. Once once a day or it might be too strong
