Versus

Medik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense Versus Q + A Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Cleanser

Face Cleanser
Face Cleanser
British Brand United Kingdom
British Brand United Kingdom

Updated on December 27, 2024

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 4 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, parabens, silicones or sulfates

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

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

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

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

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
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.

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
Preservative

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.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

When to use

22 Routines
59% use in am
41% use in pm
100% use every day
204 Routines
45% use in am
55% use in pm
94% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Medik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense 23 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
Absorbs Well (1) Light (1) No Scent (1)
2145's avatar

Ria

3 months ago
Review

A great cleanser, i really liked it! I use it mornings and evenings and it really helped me cleanse my skin and get rid of active acne.
Feels very light on the skin but also don't forget to moisturize your skin after use.

#light
#absorbs well
#no scent
#works well

Q + A Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Cleanser 13 ingredients

4.5 /5
from 6 ratings
Great Value (2) No Scent (2) Works Well (2)
tttende's avatar

tttende

2 years ago
Review

10 / 10
Underrated. The ingredient list is perfect. Best texture I've tried in a cleanser - leaves the skin feeling clean, hydrated and never tight.
I use it as a second cleanser at night, or as a cleanser in the morning when my skin feels more dehydrated than usual. Creamy texture. Has no smell.
✦ Price: Decent, you can find it for $5-7 on sale instad of $15 but the full price is totally worth Show more

An.A's avatar

An.A

3 months ago
Review

It took me a while to love this product, but when I finally did it became my new holy grail. I use it every morning and in the evening I use it in combination with harsher ingredients (AHA/BHA, retinol, and the likes).

The first time I got it, the product was too runny, which made me lose product every time I opened the tube. This is what made me hate it. It seems like something was wrong with Show more

#great value
#light
#no scent
#works well