DrGL Cleanser Clarifying Versus Vivant skin care Mandelic Acid 3-In-One Wash
Updated on September 16, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free face cleansers. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, fragrances, oils or silicones
What's Inside
They both contain parabens and sulfates
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
DrGL Cleanser Clarifying 33 ingredients
Vivant skin care Mandelic Acid 3-In-One Wash 14 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
DrGL Cleanser Clarifying 33 ingredients
Vivant skin care Mandelic Acid 3-In-One Wash 14 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCeteareth-60 Myristyl Glycol
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingAmmonium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Camellia Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Betaine
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
EmollientSerine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Alanine
MaskingArginine
Masking
Lysine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Proline
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingCetrimonium Bromide
Antimicrobial
Methylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Ceteareth-60 Myristyl Glycol, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Decyl Glucoside, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Polysorbate 20, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Mandelic Acid, Betaine, Sodium PCA, Sorbitol, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Serine, Glycine, Glutamic Acid, Alanine, Arginine, Lysine, Threonine, Proline, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Cetrimonium Bromide, Methylparaben, Propylparaben
Water
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningActinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
EmollientHoney Extract
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Diazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Actinidia Chinensis is the extract from kiwi fruit. It contains antioxidants in the forms of Vitamin C and polyphenols.
Antioxidants help protect your skin against free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be bad for dry skin, be bad for oily skin, and cause irritation.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcelluloseMandelic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA).
Like other AHAs, it helps exfoliate the surface of the skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
Mandelic acid helps with:
Due to it having a larger molecular size than glycolic acid, mandelic acid is able to penetrate the skin more slowly and evenly. This makes it gentler and less irritating, making it a great option for sensitive or beginner skin.
Despite being milder, mandelic acid is still an effective exfoliant that improves skin texture and tone over time.
What makes mandelic acid stand out from other AHAs? It has antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
These traits make it a great option for acne-prone or problem skin by reducing active breakouts and fading post-acne marks. Studies show that mandelic acid (especially when combined with salicylic acid) can significantly reduce pimples and hyperpigmentation while causing fewer side effects than stronger acids.
Mandelic acid is effective in concentrations of 5% and up with an ideal pH range of 3-4 for at-home use.
Like other AHAs, itβs important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your newly exfoliated skin.
However, unlike glycolic acid, mandelic acid is light-sensitive. Be sure your mandelic acid is packaged in opaque containers to ensure it stays stable and effective.
In short, mandelic acid is a gentle yet powerful AHA that exfoliates, brightens, and helps clarify skin while keeping irritation low. Its antibacterial action makes it especially beneficial for those with acne-prone, sensitive, or uneven skin, offering smoother, clearer, and more even-toned results over time.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Mandelic AcidMethylparaben 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.
Methylparaben can be synthetically created. It can also be found naturally in some fruits, such as blueberries.
Oftentimes, Methylparaben is combined with other parabens to help increase the shelf life.
The safety of Methylparaben is currently being studied. While ongoing studies are looking into the safety of parabens, the results have been very mixed. Some studies have not found Methylparaben to be harmful.
Learn more about MethylparabenPropylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolPropylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben with antifungal and antimicrobial properties.
This ingredient can be naturally found in plants and insects, but most of it is synthetically manufactured for human use. In cosmetics, it is usually created by reacting para-aminobenzoic acid and propanol (an alcohol).
You can usually find this ingredient in water-based products.
Parabens have come under controversy due to the claim they are hormone disruptors. Studies show conflicting results. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Propylparaben is commonly found in food, medicine, and cosmetics.
Learn more about PropylparabenWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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When to use
DrGL Cleanser Clarifying 33 ingredients
Vivant skin care Mandelic Acid 3-In-One Wash 14 ingredients
