Explore Routine Login
Versus

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Syndet AP+ Cleansing Cream Versus Paula's Choice Calm Ultra-Gentle Cleanser

Face Cleanser
Face Cleanser
French Brand France
American Brand United States

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 2 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens or silicones

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients
ph level
5.5

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Lipikar Syndet AP+ Cleansing Cream
Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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.

Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon
2 Benefits

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate Cleansing, Emulsifying, Foaming
Sulfate IconCan worsen Dry Skin Icon
SulfateSulfate Icon Can worsen Dry SkinCan worsen Dry Skin Icon

Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Peg-200 Humectant, Solvent
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Peg-200 isn't fungal acne safe.

Unknown Full details ->
Peg-80 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate Cleansing, Emulsifying, Solvent
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Peg-80 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate isn't fungal acne safe.

Unknown Full details ->
Coco-Betaine Cleansing, Skin Conditioning

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

Very Disliked Full details ->
Polysorbate 20 Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Very Disliked Full details ->
Citric Acid Buffering, Masking
AHA IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon
AHAAHA Icon 4 Benefits 2 Concerns

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

Disliked Full details ->
Peg-7 Humectant, Solvent
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Peg-7 isn't fungal acne safe.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Glyceryl Cocoate Emollient, Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glyceryl Cocoate isn't fungal acne safe.

Unknown Full details ->
Niacinamide Smoothing
Niacinamide IconGood for Oily Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Dark Spots IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin Icon
NiacinamideNiacinamide Icon 6 Benefits

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

Acrylates Copolymer

Acrylates Copolymer is used as a film-forming agent and texture enhancer.

Disliked Full details ->
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon
Helps hydrate Dry SkinHelps hydrate Dry Skin Icon 2 Concerns

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter is a plant lipid from the fruit of the Shea Tree. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Cocamide Mea Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising

We don't have a description for Cocamide Mea.

Unknown Full details ->
Disodium EDTA

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

Disliked Full details ->
Glycol Distearate Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glycol Distearate serves as a pearlizing or opacifying agent in cosmetic products.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Mannose Humectant

We don't have a description for Mannose.

Polyquaternium-11

We don't have a description for Polyquaternium-11.

Unknown Full details ->
Sodium Benzoate Masking, Preservative
Preservative Icon
PreservativePreservative Icon

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Disliked Full details ->
Sodium Chloride Masking
Can worsen Dry Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon
3 Concerns

Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Sodium Hydroxide Buffering

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.

Vitreoscilla Ferment Skin Conditioning

Vitreoscilla Ferment is a probiotic derived from the Vitreoscilla bacteria.

Calm Ultra-Gentle Cleanser
Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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.

Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate Cleansing

Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate is a gentle cleanser and surfactant. It is the sodium salt of the Cocoyl Glutamic Acid and comes from coconut oil. As a surfactant, it helps lift dirt and oil to be washed away.

Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon
2 Benefits

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Masking, Skin Conditioning

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

Cocamidopropyl Betaine Cleansing
May worsen Eczema Icon
May worsen EczemaMay worsen Eczema Icon

Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine. Dimethylaminopropylamine is a diamine, an amine with two amino groups.

Disliked Full details ->
Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate Cleansing, Emulsifying

We don't have a description for Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate.

Unknown Full details ->
Cellulose Gum Emulsion Stabilising, Masking
0 / 0

Cellulose Gum is a water-soluble polymer that comes from cellulose. It is used to change the texture of a product and to help stabilize emulsions.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Coco-Caprylate Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Coco-Caprylate is created from fatty coconut alcohol and caprylic acid.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Hydroxyacetophenone Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon
AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon

Hydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant and helps with skin conditioning.

Inulin Skin Conditioning

Inulin is a polysaccharide (carbohydrate) with prebiotic and antioxidant properties.

Xanthan Gum Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan 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.

Disliked Full details ->
Ethylhexylglycerin Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

Sodium Phytate

Sodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.

Cellulose Absorbent

Cellulose is the main component of plant cell walls. It is used as an emulsifier, absorbent, and texture enhancer.

Fructose Humectant

Fructose is fruit/plant sugar. It can be found in apples, figs, and honey.

Glucose Humectant

Glucose is a simple sugar and is the most important source of energy in all organisms.

Phenoxyethanol Preservative
Preservative Icon
PreservativePreservative Icon

Phenoxyethanol 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.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Loved

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 Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
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

Ingredient Ratings

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

Lipikar Syndet AP+ Cleansing Cream
5
1
11
5
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated
Calm Ultra-Gentle Cleanser
8
4
4
1
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated

When to use

19 Routines
47% use in am
53% use in pm
100% use every day
70 Routines
47% use in am
53% use in pm
99% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Syndet AP+ Cleansing Cream 22 ingredients

Lipikar Syndet AP+ Cleansing Cream hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Paula's Choice Calm Ultra-Gentle Cleanser 17 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Doesn't Work (1) Great Value (1) Light (1)
GlazedDonut's avatar

GlazedDonut

9 months ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

Perfect cleanser for sensitive, acne prone skin.
I've been using this cleanser for months. I love it. I have very sensitive, acne prone skin. I...

Perfect cleanser for sensitive, acne prone skin.
I've been using this cleanser for months. I love it. I have very sensitive, acne prone skin. I always have trouble finding a cleanser that doesn't irritate my skin, damage my barrier or trigger my acne.
This cleanser doesn't make any of that, instead it leaves my skin hydrated and smooth . It also cleans very well.
I'm happy that I find this product. Would recommend 100%.

torbjorn.lindqvist's avatar

torbjorn.lindqvist

5 days ago · Combination Skin
Review

Very gentle product which doesn’t dry out your skin. Does not work well for sebaceous filaments / blackheads though due to no active ingredients.