Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Brightening & Exfoliating Daily Cleanser Versus EltaMD, Inc Foaming Facial Cleanser
Updated on June 19, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Brightening & Exfoliating Daily Cleanser 19 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc Foaming Facial Cleanser 25 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
Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Brightening & Exfoliating Daily Cleanser 19 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc Foaming Facial Cleanser 25 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Acrylates Copolymer
Perlite
AbsorbentSodium Chloride
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Linalool
Perfuming
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Citrus Aurantium Tachibana Peel Extract
HumectantPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Glycerin, Acrylates Copolymer, Perlite, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Chlorphenesin, Salicylic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Propylene Glycol, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Disodium EDTA, Linalool, Butylene Glycol, Citrus Aurantium Tachibana Peel Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Methyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether
SolventMethyl Perfluorobutyl Ether
SolventMagnesium Silicate
AbsorbentSodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningBromelain
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-14/4 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientEthylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientSodium Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingUndecylenoyl Glycine
CleansingSodium Bisulfite
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Parfum
Masking
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Acrylates Copolymer, Methyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether, Methyl Perfluorobutyl Ether, Magnesium Silicate, Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids, Bromelain, PEG/PPG-14/4 Dimethicone, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Sodium Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Capryloyl Glycine, Undecylenoyl Glycine, Sodium Bisulfite, Propylene Glycol, Maltodextrin, Coconut Acid, Sodium Chloride, Hexylene Glycol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates Copolymer is used as a film-forming agent and texture enhancer.
After applied, Acrylates Copolymer forms a thin film cover that helps skin feel more soft. It can help sunscreens become more water-resistant.
It is also used to make a product more thick.
Learn more about Acrylates CopolymerPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium Cocoyl Glycinate is a cleansing agent. It can be naturally derived or synthetically-created.
As a surfactant, it helps clean your skin by gathering dirt, oil, and other pollutants to be rinsed away more easily.
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
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When to use
Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Brightening & Exfoliating Daily Cleanser 19 ingredients
EltaMD, Inc Foaming Facial Cleanser 25 ingredients
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