Garnier Bright Anti-Acne 2% Vitamin C + Salicylic + Mineral Face Wash Versus Dermactive Acti-Clear Gentle Cleansing Foaming Gel
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingPerlite
AbsorbentPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantLinalool
PerfumingZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingPumice
AbrasiveSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSilica
AbrasivePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientTetrasodium EDTA
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingHydrogenated Jojoba Oil
AbrasiveCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMenthol
MaskingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Kaolin, Glycerin, Zea Mays Starch, CI 77891, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Perlite, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, CI 42090, CI 77007, Linalool, Zinc Gluconate, Trideceth-6, Parfum, Pumice, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Menthol, Maltodextrin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
HumectantDisodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingTazarotene
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyquaternium-10
Lysine Azelate
BleachingGlycolic Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingPEG-90m
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Salicylic Acid, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Tazarotene, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyquaternium-10, Lysine Azelate, Glycolic Acid, Citric Acid, PEG-90m, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 42090
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ci 42090 is a synthetic dye created from petroleum. It is used to give a bright blue color to cosmetics, medicine, and food.
Decyl Glucoside is a plant-derived surfactant and emulsion stabilizer. It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.
Like all surfactants, it works by lowering the surface tension between water and oil. This makes it so that dirt, sebum, and makeup can be lifted off your skin and rinsed away. It also produces a dense and creamy foam.
Because it has a neutral charge, it is compatible with a wide range of ingredients and stays stable across a broad pH range/water hardiness conditions.
Patch testing has shown it to have the lowest irritation potential among common cleansing surfactants (like SLS).
Typical use levels range from 5-20% in rinse-off cleansers.
One thing worth knowing: The American Contact Dermatitis Society named the parent family, alkyl glucosides, "Allergen of the Year" in 2017. The prevalence of allergy is pretty low but be sure to patch test if you've reacted to "gentle" or sulfate-free cleansers before.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because the fatty alcohol portion of this ingredient is not within the C11-24 chain length that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Decyl GlucosideGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPEG-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 CocoatePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
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 this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, itβs still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water