Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta AHA/BHA Daily Cleansing Gel Versus Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Foam
This mandelic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Mandelic Acid to exfoliate and smooth skin.
This mild foaming cleanser is made to cleanse without leaving your skin tight or dry.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingDisteareth-75 Ipdi
Glycereth-7 Caprylate/Caprate
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Phytic Acid
Citric Acid
Buffering
Farnesol
Perfuming
Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract
Masking
Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
AstringentLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Disteareth-75 Ipdi, Glycereth-7 Caprylate/Caprate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Mandelic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Phytic Acid, Citric Acid, Farnesol, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract, Sodium PCA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Bisabolol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Butylene Glycol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Gluconolactone, Sodium Phytate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Surfactant
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Limonene
Perfuming
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Tetrasodium EDTA
Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningLinalool
Perfuming
Spirodela Polyrhiza Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Salicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Keiskei Extract
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Sodium Chloride, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Parfum, Isostearic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Limonene, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Linalool, Spirodela Polyrhiza Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Angelica Keiskei Extract, Citric Acid, Tocopherol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate is a synthetic, water-soluble surfactant and emulsifier.
It's a "superfatting" agent that helps replenish some of your skin's oils after they're stripped away by other surfactants.
This is why "gentle" and "moisturizing" cleansers feel less stripping than basic ones.
Typical concentrations range from 1-10% and it has a solid safety record. The CIR Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe at concentrations up to 10% in leave-on products.
Dermal application tests at 50% also did not produce irritation in two studies.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe and in vitro studies have shown Malassezia can metabolize it.
Learn more about PEG-7 Glyceryl CocoateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateChances 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.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
