e.l.f. cosmetics Blemish Breakthrough Acne Clarifying Cleanser Versus Bliss Clear Genius Clarifying Gel Cleanser
Updated on September 23, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or 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
e.l.f. cosmetics Blemish Breakthrough Acne Clarifying Cleanser 16 ingredients
Bliss Clear Genius Clarifying Gel Cleanser 27 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
e.l.f. cosmetics Blemish Breakthrough Acne Clarifying Cleanser 16 ingredients
Bliss Clear Genius Clarifying Gel Cleanser 27 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Salix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventSalicylic Acid
Masking
Sea Water
HumectantHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Sodium PCA
HumectantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Anhydroxylitol
HumectantGlyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Xylityl Sesquicaprylate
AntimicrobialDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycerin, Propanediol, Salicylic Acid, Sea Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Zinc PCA, Sodium PCA, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Anhydroxylitol, Glyceryl Oleate, Xylityl Sesquicaprylate, Decyl Glucoside, Coco-Glucoside, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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 WaterSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a cleansing agent made from a mixture of long chain sulfonate salts. It can also help produce foam.
This ingredient may be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Cocamidopropyl 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 BetaineGlycerin 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 GlycerinZinc PCA (or "zinc salt") differs slightly from zinc itself. PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid. However, Zinc PCA comes from zinc.
It can help reduce redness, regulate sebum, and promote the general healing process of the skin.
Zinc PCA tends to be especially useful for those with oily, acne-prone skin. It's certainly an ingredient worth trying out!
Learn more about Zinc PCASodium 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 HydroxideCitric 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 AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
e.l.f. cosmetics Blemish Breakthrough Acne Clarifying Cleanser 16 ingredients
Bliss Clear Genius Clarifying Gel Cleanser 27 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
e.l.f. cosmetics Blemish Breakthrough Acne Clarifying Cleanser 16 ingredients
Works but burns your skin if you have a lot of acne
Bliss Clear Genius Clarifying Gel Cleanser 27 ingredients
64 year old woman but still get breakouts. I found this a couple years ago, it’s a face wash I like that isn’t too harsh for my sensitive skin even though it’s not fragrance free but scent is mild & it doesn’t irritate me. It foams up nicely but the label doesn’t state the amount of salicylic acid (ie 2%) However it works great for me! Unfortunately I cannot find it at Ulta or Target anymore,I did Show more
