Icon Skin Soft Renew Cleansing Gel Versus Sk-II Facial Treatment Cleanser
Updated on March 01, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both face cleansers. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, BHA and 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, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, oils, 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
Icon Skin Soft Renew Cleansing Gel 23 ingredients
Sk-II Facial Treatment Cleanser 17 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Icon Skin Soft Renew Cleansing Gel 23 ingredients
Sk-II Facial Treatment Cleanser 17 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Malic Acid
Buffering
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Gluconolactone, Lactic Acid, Coco-Glucoside, Salicylic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Malic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
PEG-150
HumectantCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Malic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Methylparaben
Preservative
Illite Extract
Skin ConditioningIngredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. 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 WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinLactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.
Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.
Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.
Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidSalicylic 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 AcidMalic Acid is an acid with both AHA and BHA properties, but is considered an AHA because its AHA properties are stronger.
Like other AHAs, it removes the top layer of old and dead skin to reveal the newer layer underneath. It also helps with improving fine lines, wrinkles, skin tone, skin texture, and acne blemishes.
Due to its exfoliating properties, you should wear SPF when using Malic Acid.
Fun fact: The word "Malic" comes from the word "Malum". In Latin, "Malum" means apple. This ingredient is often derived from unripe fruit.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Malic AcidSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Icon Skin Soft Renew Cleansing Gel 23 ingredients
Sk-II Facial Treatment Cleanser 17 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Icon Skin Soft Renew Cleansing Gel 23 ingredients
More of a 4.5 star, honestly. I just wish it would've lather better, cause every single time I had a strange feeling of not washing it off from my face :( Moved it to my bathroom in the summer to use it more frequently and that help with "I can't wash it off" feeling!
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Для русской умывалки за такую цену очень неплохо и приятно, больше склоняюсь к рейтингу 4 звезды, потому что его РЕАЛЬНО Show more
Sk-II Facial Treatment Cleanser 17 ingredients
I fell in love after using sample of it. Worked very well and beautifully. Very cleansing and refreshing. My face look supple and hydrating. Nice and clean soapy smell and suds very well.
