Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Brightening & Exfoliating Daily Cleanser Versus Kate Somerville Gentle Daily Wash
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin and brightening skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain common allergens, fragrances and 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
Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Brightening & Exfoliating Daily Cleanser 19 ingredients
Kate Somerville Gentle Daily Wash 21 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Brightening & Exfoliating Daily Cleanser 19 ingredients
Kate Somerville Gentle Daily Wash 21 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 C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
PEG/PPG-8/3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Acrylates Copolymer
Silicone Quaternium-8
Saponins
CleansingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Salvia Officinalis Oil
Masking
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG/PPG-8/3 Diisostearate, Glycerin, Acrylates Copolymer, Silicone Quaternium-8, Saponins, Butylene Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Hydroxide, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Zinc PCA, Citric Acid, Limonene, Linalool
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 GlycerinAcrylates 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 CopolymerSodium 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 HydroxideChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinLavandula Angustifolia Oil is more commonly known as lavender essential oil.
Lavender imparts a famous scent. While the smell is lovely, this ingredient and may sensitize skin in topical products. This is because it contains linalool, a known allergen.
However, lavender essential oil has shown to have anti-inflammatory activity due to its prostanoid and histamine content. Its leaves also exhibit antibacterial properties.
More research is needed to confirm lavender essential oil's effects when used in aromatherapy.
Lavandula Angustifolia is known as the English Lavender and famous for creating purple fields in Provence, France.
Learn more about Lavandula Angustifolia OilDisodium 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 EDTALinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Citric 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 AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Brightening & Exfoliating Daily Cleanser 19 ingredients
Kate Somerville Gentle Daily Wash 21 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Brightening & Exfoliating Daily Cleanser 19 ingredients
Kate Somerville Gentle Daily Wash 21 ingredients
Honestly can’t tell if it’s doing anything but it smells nice
