MediCube Zero Pore SA Clear Capsule Cleansing Foam Versus MediCube Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask
Updated on March 01, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe . They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, BHA, exfoliants, PHA and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens, silicones 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
MediCube Zero Pore SA Clear Capsule Cleansing Foam 42 ingredients
MediCube Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask 51 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
MediCube Zero Pore SA Clear Capsule Cleansing Foam 42 ingredients
MediCube Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask 51 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Lauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid 0.45%
Masking
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Silica
Abrasive
Parfum
Masking
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Polyquaternium-67
Dextrin
AbsorbentZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentMannitol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Sucrose
Humectant
Gardenia Taitensis Callus Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Acetate
BufferingUltramarines
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Melaleuca Viminalis Extract
Pyrus Malus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Pueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantPinus Pinaster Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Mentha Citrata Leaf Extract
Astringent
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Coco-Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salicylic Acid 0.45%, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Silica, Parfum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-67, Dextrin, Zea Mays Starch, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Mannitol, Disodium EDTA, Sucrose, Gardenia Taitensis Callus Extract, Sodium Acetate, Ultramarines, Tocopheryl Acetate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Mandelic Acid, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Melaleuca Viminalis Extract, Pyrus Malus Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Pinus Pinaster Leaf Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Mentha Citrata Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Bentonite
Absorbent
Methylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Ozothamnus Diosmifolius Extract
Althaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Maranta Arundinacea Root Extract
SmoothingUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Safflower Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
(Licorice/Reynoutria Japonica) Root/Stem Extract
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Smilax China Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Indicum Extract
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium EDTA
Lauryl Phosphate
EmulsifyingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cellulose
AbsorbentGlucose
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Fructose
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Canadian Colloidal Clay
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMontmorillonite
AbsorbentIllite
Abrasive
Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Limonene
Perfuming
CI 77510
Cosmetic ColorantGuaiazulene
Antimicrobial
Water, Kaolin, Bentonite, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Ozothamnus Diosmifolius Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Maranta Arundinacea Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Safflower Flower Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, (Licorice/Reynoutria Japonica) Root/Stem Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Smilax China Bark Extract, Chrysanthemum Indicum Extract, Tetrasodium EDTA, Lauryl Phosphate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Caprylyl Glycol, Cellulose, Glucose, Butylene Glycol, Allantoin, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Tocopherol, Canadian Colloidal Clay, Gluconolactone, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Montmorillonite, Illite, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Copper Tripeptide-1, Xanthan Gum, Caffeine, Limonene, CI 77510, Guaiazulene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCamellia 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 ExtractCaprylyl 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 GlycolThis ingredient is more commonly known as the coffee bean from the Coffea Arabica tree. Besides being a delicious drink, coffee beans have a ton of skin benefits.
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract (CASE) has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and UV-protective properties. (It should not replace your sunscreen!)
CASE contains several ingredients that protect and soothe skin. These include caffeine, polysaccharides, sucrose, lipids, minerals, and proteins.
The star ingredient in coffee is caffeine.
Caffeine helps with anti-aging, antioxidant, and photo-protection.
How? It has been shown to block collagenase (~41%), elastase (~35%), and tyrosinase (~13%).
Collagenase and elastase are enzymes that break down collagen and elastin, respectively. Tyrosinase is the enzyme that controls melanin production.
Our skin creates melanin when exposed to UV as a defense mechanism.
It should be noted most studies looked at caffeine's ability to inhibit damage from UV-B rays.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient is often dissolved using water, glycerin, and propanediol. The caffeine content of this ingredient is about 100 ppm.
Coffea Arabica is native to Ethiopia.
Learn more about Coffea Arabica Seed ExtractGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneWe don't have a description for Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract yet.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
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 this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidThis tree is also known as the David Elm. It contains the ingredient bakuchiol.
Other great compounds found in this ingredient include galactose, glucose, and phenolics. The sugar content gives it great skin hydrating properties. Phenolics are potent antioxidants commonly found in fruits and veggies.
A 2020 study found the phenolics of this root to have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Fun fact: This ingredient is used in traditional Asian medicine.
Learn more about Ulmus Davidiana Root ExtractWater. 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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MediCube Zero Pore SA Clear Capsule Cleansing Foam 42 ingredients
MediCube Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask 51 ingredients
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