Medik8 Pore Refining Scrub Versus ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Polish
Updated on December 28, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both exfoliators. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain 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 Pore Refining Scrub 40 ingredients
ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Polish 27 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Medik8 Pore Refining Scrub 40 ingredients
ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Polish 27 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Diatomaceous Earth
Abrasive
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Kaolin
Abrasive
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dicaprylyl Ether
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Citrus Reticulata Peel Oil
Masking
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhytic Acid
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Passiflora Incarnata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Diatomaceous Earth, Jojoba Esters, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Behenyl Alcohol, Kaolin, Niacinamide, Dicaprylyl Ether, Xanthan Gum, Cetyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Glycol Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Mandelic Acid, Stearic Acid, Citrus Reticulata Peel Oil, Titanium Dioxide, Sucrose Stearate, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Dimethicone, Phenethyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Sorbate, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Carbomer, Phytic Acid, Alcohol, Myristic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Passiflora Incarnata Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Limonene
PEG-8
HumectantSodium Bicarbonate
Abrasive
Magnesium Oxide
AbsorbentEthoxydiglycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Oleth-20
CleansingTrihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingLinoleic Acid
Cleansing
Phospholipids
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 61565
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-8, Sodium Bicarbonate, Magnesium Oxide, Ethoxydiglycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Oleth-20, Trihydroxystearin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Paraffinum Liquidum, Water, Tocopheryl Acetate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Glycine Soja Sterols, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Retinyl Palmitate, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Linoleic Acid, Phospholipids, Phenoxyethanol, CI 61565
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateLimonene 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 LimoneneIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Medik8 Pore Refining Scrub 40 ingredients
ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Polish 27 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Medik8 Pore Refining Scrub 40 ingredients
ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Polish 27 ingredients
TL;DR: Worth the $$$! Makes your skin glow!
I got this product on a whim from a med spa a handful of years ago, and while I haven’t purchased it since because it makes my wallet way too light (💸), oh my god; it really is worth its weight in gold! It is by far the gentlest scrub and leaves my skin feeling so smooth and soft without irritation. I’m not sure if I’d pair it with my acne treatment Show more
Worth the splurge $$! I only use it 2-3 times a week. Help with my skins texture.
