Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser Versus Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Foam
Updated on January 13, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or silicones
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
Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser 18 ingredients
Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Foam 36 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser 18 ingredients
Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Foam 36 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingAcrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate
Cleansing
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Arginine
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Salicylic Acid, Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer, Glycerin, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Arginine, Butylene Glycol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Panthenol, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin
Water
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Limonene
Perfuming
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Tetrasodium EDTA
Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningLinalool
Perfuming
Spirodela Polyrhiza Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Keiskei Extract
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Sodium Chloride, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Parfum, Isostearic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Limonene, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Linalool, Spirodela Polyrhiza Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Angelica Keiskei Extract, Citric Acid, Tocopherol
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 WaterPEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate isn't fungal acne safe.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate is created from polyethylene glycol and fatty acids from coconut oil.
It is a synthetic polymer with emulsifying and cleansing properties.
As an emulsifier, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate prevents ingredients such as oils and water from separating. It also helps rinse away oils, dirt, and pollutants from skin.
Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate may not be fungal acne safe. It can also dry out skin.
Learn more about PEG-7 Glyceryl CocoateDisodium 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 EDTACitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
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 even out skin tone.
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.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser 18 ingredients
Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Foam 36 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser 18 ingredients
[THIS IS A REVIEW FROM 2019]
(Pasting my review from the Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution bc I used them together and had great results)
I’m new to SkinSort but I really wanted to write a review for this bc the Paula’s Choice acne line actually changed my life… when I was in uni I had a super oily T-zone and crazy acne on my forehead so I bought the PC extra strength travel kit to try out Show more
The Paula’s Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser was a bit too drying for my skin. After learning about fungal acne and realizing the cleanser isn’t fungal acne safe, I decided to stop using it.
