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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser versus Garnier The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser .

Published on June 08, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 27 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain BHA

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Face Cleanser American Brand United States
Face Cleanser French Brand France

Face Cleanser

Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).

Face Cleanser

Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).

Price

Shop

Buy Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser

Starts at $14.95
Shop

Buy The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser

Starts at $11.31

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
ph level
5.5

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

BHA

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Reduces Large Pores
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying (2)
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (3)

Notable Ingredients

BHA
Ceramides

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Reduces Large Pores
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying (2)
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (3)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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 deliver a rash when using this ingredient.

Learn more about Propylene Glycol

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 2.

Garnier The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 14.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Glycerin

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 3.

Garnier The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 1.

3
What it does: Cleansing, Foaming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate isn't fungal acne safe.

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 4.

Garnier The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 2.

4
What it does: Cleansing, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Coco-Betaine is the natural version of Cocamidopropyl Betaine. It is often derived from coconuts.

Coco-Betaine is a surfactant, meaning it helps remove dirt and oil from the skin.

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 5.

Garnier The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 3.

5
What it does: Cleansing
Community Rating: Disliked

Sodium cocoyl isethionate is a natural ingredient from the fatty acids of coconut oil. It is a surfactant and helps with cleansing the skin.

By binding to water and oil, it helps gently clean skin. It also helps the spreadability of the product.

Sodium cocoyl isethionate is also added to help create foam without drying the skin. However, this is depending on the amount of Sodium cocoyl isethionate.

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 6.

Garnier The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 4.

6
What it does: Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Chances 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 Chloride

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 7.

Garnier The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 5.

7
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products.

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is also an emulsifier. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 8.

Garnier The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 11.

8
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 9.

Garnier The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 6.

9
What it does:
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Peg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.

Peg-100 Stearate helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. It helps prevent oil and water from separating in a product. By binding oil and water, it helps remove dirt and oil to be rinsed away.

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 10.

Garnier The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 7.

10
What it does: Emulsifying

We don't have a description for Ppg-5-Ceteth-20.

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 11.

Garnier The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 8.

11
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying
Community Rating: Disliked

Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.

Glyceryl Stearate is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.

As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.

In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced. The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.

Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 12.

Garnier The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 9.

12
What it does: Cleansing, Emollient, Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Coconut Acid isn't fungal acne safe.

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 13.

Garnier The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 10.

13
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Caprylyl 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 Glycol

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 14.

Garnier The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 12.

Peg-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate isn't fungal acne safe.

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 15.

Garnier The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 13.

We don't have a description for Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer.

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 16.

Garnier The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 15.

16
What it does: Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Salicylic 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 Acid

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 17.

Garnier The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 16.

17
What it does: Antimicrobial, Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Chlorphenesin 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 Chlorphenesin

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 18.

Garnier The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 17.

18
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Hydrogenated Coconut Acid isn't fungal acne safe.

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 19.

Garnier The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 20.

19
What it does:

We don't have a description for Polyquaternium-53.

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 21.

Garnier The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 21.

20
What it does: Cleansing, Foaming
Community Rating: Disliked

Coco-Glucoside is a surfactant, or a cleansing ingredient. It is made from glucose and coconut oil.

Surfactants help gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants from your skin to be rinsed away. Coco-Glucoside is considered gentle and non-comedogenic.

This ingredient is a known skin-irritant.

Learn more about Coco-Glucoside

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 22.

Garnier The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 22.

21
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Disodium 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 EDTA

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 23.

Garnier The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 23.

22
What it does: Cleansing, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Sodium Isethionate.

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 25.

Garnier The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 24.

23
What it does: Emulsifying

Peg-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate isn't fungal acne safe.

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 26.

Garnier The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 25.

24
What it does: Emulsifying

We don't have a description for Trideceth-6.

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 27.

Garnier The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 26.

25
What it does: Masking, Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Benzoic Acid is used to preserve and adjust the pH of products.

The antimicrobial property of Benzoic Acid helps elongate a product's shelf life. Its main role is to reduce fungi growth and is not found to be effective at fighting bacteria. Therefore Benzoic Acid is always added along with other preservatives.

In its pure form, Benzoic Acid looks like a white crystalline solid. It has slight solubility in water.

The name of Benzoic Acid comes from gum benzoin, which used to be the sole source of deriving this ingredient. Benzoic Acid is the most simple aromatic carboxylic acid.

Benzoic Acid is naturally occuring in strawberries, mustard, cinnamon, and cloves. It has a slight scent but is not considered to be a fragrance.

Learn more about Benzoic Acid

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 30.

Garnier The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 27.

26
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

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.

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 look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 31.

Garnier The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 28.

27
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

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 Hydroxide

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 32.

Garnier The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 19.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

16% are loved or liked
3% have mixed ratings
53% are disliked or very disliked
28% have no rating yet
14% are loved or liked
3% have mixed ratings
55% are disliked or very disliked
28% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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