Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Medik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense versus Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse .
Last updated on August 01, 2023. Published on December 08, 2022
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 18 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA and BHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones 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 need an update? Let us know.
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
Ingredient Info
Medik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense 23 ingredients
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse 25 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Malassezia Safe
This product is free of malassezia feeding ingredients 🎉
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are EU allergens:
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Malassezia Safe
This product is free of malassezia feeding ingredients 🎉
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are EU allergens:
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Medik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense 23 ingredients
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse 25 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Medik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense 23 ingredients
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse 25 ingredients
Water • Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate • Sodium Cocoamphoacetate • Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine • Glycerin • Mandelic Acid • Citric Acid • Isopentyldiol • Maltodextrin • Sodium Hydroxide • Salicylic Acid • Lactic Acid • Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract • Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract • Phenoxyethanol • Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil • Disodium EDTA • Lavandula Angustifolia Herb Oil • Ethylhexylglycerin • Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil • Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil • Linalool • Limonene
Water • Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate • Sodium Cocoamphoacetate • Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine • Glycerin • Mandelic Acid • Salicylic Acid • Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil • Citric Acid • Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract • Sodium Hydroxide • Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract • Yucca Schidigera Root Extract • Lactic Acid • Phenoxyethanol • Citrus Grandis Peel Oil • Maltodextrin • Disodium EDTA • Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract • Ethylhexylglycerin • Citrus Aurantifolia Oil • Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil • Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil • Limonene • Linalool
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterMedik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense contains this as ingredient number 1.
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse contains this as ingredient number 1.
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a cleansing agent made from a mixture of long chain sulfonate salts. It can also help produce foam.
This ingredient may be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Medik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense contains this as ingredient number 2.
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse contains this as ingredient number 2.
We don't have a description for Sodium Cocoamphoacetate.
Medik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense contains this as ingredient number 3.
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse contains this as ingredient number 3.
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is a synthetic cleansing agent, though it is derived from coconut oil.
It is used to enhance the texture of products by boosting lather and thickening the texture. As a cleanser, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is mild.
Medik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense contains this as ingredient number 4.
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse contains this as ingredient number 4.
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 GlycerinMedik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense contains this as ingredient number 5.
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse contains this as ingredient number 5.
Mandelic Acid helps exfoliate skin. It also contains antioxidant properties.
As an AHA, Mandelic 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.
Mandelic Acid may be an alternative to Glycolic Acid for those with sensitive skin.
Mandelic Acid may help reduce wrinkles, acne, and hyperpigmentation.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Mandelic AcidMedik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense contains this as ingredient number 6.
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse contains this as ingredient number 6.
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 AcidMedik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense contains this as ingredient number 7.
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse contains this as ingredient number 9.
Maltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinMedik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense contains this as ingredient number 9.
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse contains this as ingredient number 17.
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 HydroxideMedik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense contains this as ingredient number 10.
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse contains this as ingredient number 11.
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 AcidMedik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense contains this as ingredient number 11.
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse contains this as ingredient number 7.
Lactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.
Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.
Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.
Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidMedik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense contains this as ingredient number 12.
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse contains this as ingredient number 14.
We don't have a description for Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract.
Medik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense contains this as ingredient number 14.
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse contains this as ingredient number 19.
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.
Medik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense contains this as ingredient number 15.
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse contains this as ingredient number 15.
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is the oil from the bergamot orange. This bergamot is native to Italy.
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is used to add fragrance to products. It contains limonene, linalool, and linalyl acetate.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
When used topically, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is a photosensitizer due to its furanocoumarins. Photosensitizers make the skin and eyes much more sensitive to sunlight. Photosensitizers are linked to skin cancer.
However, more cosmetics using Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil are removing the furanocoumarins.
Bergamot oil was also found to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit OilMedik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense contains this as ingredient number 16.
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse contains this as ingredient number 22.
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 EDTAMedik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense contains this as ingredient number 17.
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse contains this as ingredient number 18.
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.
Medik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense contains this as ingredient number 19.
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse contains this as ingredient number 20.
Linalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Linalool has the same effect as Limonene when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
Linalool has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolMedik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense contains this as ingredient number 22.
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse contains this as ingredient number 25.
Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneMedik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense contains this as ingredient number 23.
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse contains this as ingredient number 24.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Medik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense 23 ingredients
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse 25 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Medik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense 23 ingredients
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse 25 ingredients
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