Geek & Gorgeous Smooth Out Versus Clinique Pep-Start 2-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser
Updated on May 29, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, 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, fragrances, oils, parabens or silicones
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
Geek & Gorgeous Smooth Out 20 ingredients
Clinique Pep-Start 2-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser 36 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Geek & Gorgeous Smooth Out 20 ingredients
Clinique Pep-Start 2-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser 36 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycerin
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Galactoarabinan
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningXylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Benzoate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Galactoarabinan, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Pentylene Glycol, Glucose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Silica
Abrasive
Acrylates Copolymer
Lauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sucrose
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningSodium Coco Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
CleansingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingLaureth-2
CleansingSodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Sulfate
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMonosodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 15510
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Silica, Acrylates Copolymer, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Sucrose, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Salicylic Acid, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sodium Coco Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Polysorbate 20, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Citric Acid, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Laureth-2, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Sulfate, Carbomer, Monosodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, CI 15510, CI 19140, CI 14700
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Geek & Gorgeous Smooth Out 20 ingredients
Clinique Pep-Start 2-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser 36 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
