Medik8 Cream Cleanse Versus Medik8 Gentle Cleanse
Updated on August 01, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and 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, brightening skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols, 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
Medik8 Cream Cleanse 23 ingredients
Medik8 Gentle Cleanse 15 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
Medik8 Cream Cleanse 23 ingredients
Medik8 Gentle Cleanse 15 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acacia Concinna Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBalanites Aegyptiaca Fruit Extract
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Coconut Alcohol
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Gypsophila Paniculata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Phenoxyethanol, Acacia Concinna Fruit Extract, Balanites Aegyptiaca Fruit Extract, Coco-Glucoside, Benzyl Alcohol, Coconut Alcohol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Gypsophila Paniculata Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Dehydroacetic Acid, Limonene, Linalool, Citral
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholCoco-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.
This ingredient is considered gentle and non-comedogenic. However, it may still be irritating for some.
Learn more about Coco-GlucosideDehydroacetic Acid is fungicide and bactericide. It is used as a preservative in cosmetics. Preservatives help elongate the shelf life of a product.
Dehydroacetic Acid is not soluble in water.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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