Garnier Bright Anti-Acne 2% Vitamin C + Salicylic + Mineral Face Wash Versus Pond's Acne Clear Facial Foam
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
Myristic Acid
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingStearic Acid
CleansingLauric Acid
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientDecyl Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientParfum
MaskingTerpineol
MaskingDMDM Hydantoin
PreservativeSalicylic Acid
MaskingThymol
AntimicrobialPolyquaternium-7
Disodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingMyristic Acid, Glycerin, Water, Propylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Lauric Acid, Glycol Distearate, Decyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, Parfum, Terpineol, DMDM Hydantoin, Salicylic Acid, Thymol, Polyquaternium-7, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumSalicylic 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, it’s 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