IMAGE skincare the MAX Facial Cleanser Versus Allies of Skin Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser
Updated on November 13, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and reducing pores
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens
What's Inside
They both contain oils
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
IMAGE skincare the MAX Facial Cleanser 53 ingredients
Allies of Skin Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser 32 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
IMAGE skincare the MAX Facial Cleanser 53 ingredients
Allies of Skin Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser 32 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingGlycol Distearate
Emollient
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Acrylates Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyquaternium-10
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Ceratonia Siliqua Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Leontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningSteareth-20
CleansingHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
Antioxidant
Sodium Lactate
BufferingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Leucojum Aestivum Bulb Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Citrate
BufferingChlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Superoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Lecithin
EmollientDipeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Dextran Sulfate
Gel Forming
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Glycol Distearate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Acrylates Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Limonene, Glycerin, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Ceratonia Siliqua Seed Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Steareth-20, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Sodium Lactate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Leucojum Aestivum Bulb Extract, Sodium Citrate, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Potassium Sorbate, Carbomer, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Glycine Soja Protein, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Superoxide Dismutase, Xanthan Gum, Benzyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Lecithin, Dipeptide-2, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Water
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate-1 Crosspolymer
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Propanediol
SolventHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Silk Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lecithin
EmollientAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientO-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Tetrasodium EDTA
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Polyacrylate-1 Crosspolymer, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Propanediol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Lactic Acid, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Silk Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Silk, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Astaxanthin, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Caprylyl Glycol, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Polysorbate 20, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenethyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients 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 GlycerinCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.
This ingredient has many skin benefits:
This ingredient contains polyphenols, a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off molecules that damage skin cells.
On top of that, the antioxidants in green tea neutralize free-radicals from the sun. This gives the skin some extra UV protection, but should not replace sunscreen.
Many components of tea have anti-inflammatory properties.
Polyphenols and L-theanine help soothe the skin and reduce irritation. The caffeine in Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract helps calm inflamed blood vessels.
Other compounds found in tea include: Vitamin Bs, linoleic acid, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.
Research has shown both drinking Camellia Sinensis Leaf Tea and applying it to the skin can help boost skin elasticity and hydration. Studies also show using tea extract may reduce sebum, or oil, production.
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractCitric 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 AcidPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolPolysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Lecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
IMAGE skincare the MAX Facial Cleanser 53 ingredients
Allies of Skin Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser 32 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
IMAGE skincare the MAX Facial Cleanser 53 ingredients
Allies of Skin Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser 32 ingredients
I personally think this cleanser ticks all the things I want in a cleanser. It has a thick, rich, gel texture that has a lot of slip to it, and it feels so so nice on the skin. Despite the thicker consistency, it rinses off really easily without leaving my skin feeling greasy and gross. It doesn’t strip or dry out my skin and is enough for a single cleanse!
The Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser is just a really good cleanser. It removes makeup effortlessly while still leaving my skin feeling hydrated, soft, and never stripped. The texture is luxurious, and it rinses clean without any residue. Perfect for anyone looking for an effective yet gentle cleanser that supports the skin barrier. Definitely a staple in my routine!
