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Updated on August 15, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both face cleansers. They have a total of 1 ingredients in common

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils or silicones

What's Inside

They both contain sulfates

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

Differin Gentle Cleanser
Differin Gentle Cleanser
Face Cleanser
American Brand United States
acne.org Cleanser
acne.org Cleanser
Face Cleanser
American Brand United States

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

Differin Gentle Cleanser 8 ingredients

acne.org Cleanser 21 ingredients

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Differin Gentle Cleanser 8 ingredients

acne.org Cleanser 21 ingredients

Concerns

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Gentle Cleanser
Water 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.

Cetyl Alcohol Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising
2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol Icon
Fatty AlcoholFatty Alcohol Icon

Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.

2 Com. / 2 Irr.
Very Disliked Full details ->
Propylene Glycol Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
0 / 0 May worsen Eczema Icon
May worsen EczemaMay worsen Eczema Icon

Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Disliked Full details ->
Stearyl Alcohol Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising
2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol Icon
Fatty AlcoholFatty Alcohol Icon

Stearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients.

2 Com. / 2 Irr.
Very Disliked Full details ->
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Cleansing, Emulsifying, Foaming
0 / 0 Sulfate IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay cause irritation Icon
SulfateSulfate Icon 3 Concerns

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a sulfate with surfactant properties.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Very Disliked Full details ->
Propylparaben Preservative
0 / 0 Preservative IconParaben IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon
PreservativePreservative Icon ParabenParaben Icon 2 Concerns

Propylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben with antifungal and antimicrobial properties.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Very Disliked Full details ->
Methylparaben Preservative
0 / 0 Preservative IconParaben IconNon-Reef-Safe IconMay worsen Eczema Icon
PreservativePreservative Icon ParabenParaben Icon 2 Concerns

Methylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben. It is used to prevent the growth of fungus, mold, and other harmful bacteria. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in both cosmetics and food.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Very Disliked Full details ->
Butylparaben Masking, Preservative
Preservative IconParaben IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconNon-Reef-Safe IconMay worsen Eczema Icon
PreservativePreservative Icon ParabenParaben Icon 3 Concerns

Butylparaben is a preservative, is a paraben, and is not reef safe. It can be bad for dry skin and worsen eczema.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Cleanser
Water 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.

Peg-80 Sorbitan Laurate
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Peg-80 Sorbitan Laurate isn't fungal acne safe.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Cocamidopropyl Betaine Cleansing
May worsen Eczema Icon
May worsen EczemaMay worsen Eczema Icon

Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine. Dimethylaminopropylamine is a diamine, an amine with two amino groups.

Disliked Full details ->
Sodium Trideceth Sulfate Cleansing, Emulsifying, Foaming
Sulfate Icon
SulfateSulfate Icon

Sodium Trideceth Sulfate is a type of sulfate.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon
2 Benefits

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Sodium Lauroamphoacetate Cleansing, Foaming

We don't have a description for Sodium Lauroamphoacetate.

Unknown Full details ->
Peg-150 Distearate Emulsifying
2 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Peg-150 Distearate is an emulsifier and thickening agent. It is created from stearic acid.

2 Com. / 0 Irr.
Unknown Full details ->
Sodium Laureth-13 Carboxylate Cleansing, Emulsifying, Foaming

We don't have a description for Sodium Laureth-13 Carboxylate.

Unknown Full details ->
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate Cleansing, Skin Conditioning

Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate is a surfactant and helps cleanse skin. It is created from the fatty acids of coconut oil.

Disliked Full details ->
Butylene Glycol Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
1 / 0

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

1 Com. / 0 Irr.
Salvia Officinalis Extract Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent
Antioxidant Icon
AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon

Salvia Officinalis Extract is an antioxidant.

Cucumis Sativus Fruit Skin Conditioning

Cucumis Sativus Fruit is also known as the cucumber. Cucumis Sativus is native to South Asia and can now be found on every continent.

Salix Alba Bark Extract Astringent, Skin Conditioning, Soothing
Good for Oily Skin Icon
Good for Oily SkinGood for Oily Skin Icon

Salix Alba Bark Extract comes from the white willow tree, which is native to Europe and Central Asia.

Panthenol Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps reduce irritation Icon
Helps reduce irritationHelps reduce irritation Icon

Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It can be found naturally in our skin and hair.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Allantoin Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
0 / 0 Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon
3 Benefits

Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Acrylates Copolymer

Acrylates Copolymer is used as a film-forming agent and texture enhancer.

Disliked Full details ->
Methyl Gluceth-20 Humectant, Moisturising

Methyl Gluceth-20 is a humectant. Humectants help draw moisture from the air to your skin.

Polysorbate 80 Emulsifying
0 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon
2 Concerns

Polysorbate 80 is a surfactant and emulsifier. It is used to keep ingredients together, and prevent oils and waters from separating.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Very Disliked Full details ->
Quaternium-15 Preservative
Preservative IconNot safe for Fungal Acne IconMay worsen Eczema Icon
PreservativePreservative Icon 2 Concerns

Quaternium-15 is a preservative and isn't fungal acne safe. It can worsen eczema.

Unknown Full details ->
DMDM Hydantoin Preservative
Preservative IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Eczema Icon
PreservativePreservative Icon 2 Concerns

DMDM Hydantoin has antimicrobial and antifungal properties. It is a preservative that works by slowly releasing formaldehyde over time.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Disodium EDTA

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

Disliked Full details ->

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Ingredient Ratings

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

Gentle Cleanser
1
7
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated
Cleanser
8
1
8
4
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated

When to use

Differin Gentle Cleanser 8 ingredients

acne.org Cleanser 21 ingredients

13 Routines
54% use in am
46% use in pm
92% use every day
24 Routines
63% use in am
38% use in pm
100% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Differin Gentle Cleanser 8 ingredients

Gentle Cleanser hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

acne.org Cleanser 21 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 1 rating
Drying (1) Great Value (1) Works Well (1)
BubbIes's avatar

BubbIes

4 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

This was my go-to cleanser for years. I think it’s a good basic cleanser if you’re not too picky, but I personally found it a bit too stripping and...

This was my go-to cleanser for years. I think it’s a good basic cleanser if you’re not too picky, but I personally found it a bit too stripping and I don't like that the 7th ingredient is comedogenic.