Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Primark PS Clear and Cool Cleansing Face Wash versus Shiseido Complete Cleansing Microfoam .
Published on February 11, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 10 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 parabens or silicones
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils and sulfates
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
Primark PS Clear and Cool Cleansing Face Wash 18 ingredients
Shiseido Complete Cleansing Microfoam 25 ingredients
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Contains Sulfate
Ingredients in this product that are types of sulfate:
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are EU allergens:
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Sulfate
Ingredients in this product that are types of sulfate:
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are EU allergens:
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Primark PS Clear and Cool Cleansing Face Wash 18 ingredients
Shiseido Complete Cleansing Microfoam 25 ingredients
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 3 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 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 2 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 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 3 ingredients 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 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Primark PS Clear and Cool Cleansing Face Wash 18 ingredients
Shiseido Complete Cleansing Microfoam 25 ingredients
Water • Sodium Laureth Sulfate • Sodium Cocoamphoacetate • Cocamidopropyl Betaine • Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract • Sodium Chloride • Acrylates Copolymer • Polysorbate 20 • Glycerin • Phenoxyethanol • Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil • Mentha Piperita Oil • Alcohol Denat. • Ethylhexylglycerin • Menthol • Sodium Hydroxide • Citric Acid • Sodium Benzoate
Water • Glycerin • Sodium Laureth Sulfate • Cocamidopropyl Betaine • Peg-8 Glyceryl Isostearate • Peg/Ppg-14/7 Dimethyl Ether • Ethylhexylglycerin • Triethylhexanoin • Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate • Butylene Glycol • Alcohol Denat. • Sodium Citrate • Sodium Benzoate • Phenoxyethanol • Parfum • Citric Acid • Disodium EDTA • BHA • Linalool • Oryza Sativa Germ Oil • Alcohol • Tocopherol • Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract • Betaine • Hydrolyzed Silk
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 WaterPrimark PS Clear and Cool Cleansing Face Wash contains this as ingredient number 1.
Shiseido Complete Cleansing Microfoam contains this as ingredient number 1.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.
SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Learn more about Sodium Laureth SulfatePrimark PS Clear and Cool Cleansing Face Wash contains this as ingredient number 2.
Shiseido Complete Cleansing Microfoam contains this as ingredient number 3.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine. Dimethylaminopropylamine is a diamine, an amine with two amino groups.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetainePrimark PS Clear and Cool Cleansing Face Wash contains this as ingredient number 4.
Shiseido Complete Cleansing Microfoam contains this as ingredient number 4.
Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract comes from the witch hazel plant.
Witch Hazel is an astringent, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial ingredient. The tannin in witch hazel has a drying effect when used on skin and constricts proteins. This helps minimize the look of large pores. The tannins present and the fragrance may be sensitizing. The catechins in witch hazel have anti-inflammatory properties while the gallic acid is antibacterial.
Indigenous groups have used witch hazel to help treat inflammation, which was then used by early settlers to North America.
Learn more about Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf ExtractPrimark PS Clear and Cool Cleansing Face Wash contains this as ingredient number 5.
Shiseido Complete Cleansing Microfoam contains this as ingredient number 23.
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 GlycerinPrimark PS Clear and Cool Cleansing Face Wash contains this as ingredient number 9.
Shiseido Complete Cleansing Microfoam contains this as ingredient number 2.
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.
Primark PS Clear and Cool Cleansing Face Wash contains this as ingredient number 10.
Shiseido Complete Cleansing Microfoam contains this as ingredient number 14.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol and other additives. It has a low molecular weight and will evaporate quickly. This helps other ingredients become better absorbed and dry once applied.
Alcohol Denat. is volatile and may cause irritation. It helps draw out natural oils in skin and dry out your skin.
One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased irritation.
Alcohol is antibacterial by nature. This can help preserve products and increase their shelf life.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Primark PS Clear and Cool Cleansing Face Wash contains this as ingredient number 13.
Shiseido Complete Cleansing Microfoam contains this as ingredient number 11.
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.
Primark PS Clear and Cool Cleansing Face Wash contains this as ingredient number 14.
Shiseido Complete Cleansing Microfoam contains this as ingredient number 7.
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 AcidPrimark PS Clear and Cool Cleansing Face Wash contains this as ingredient number 17.
Shiseido Complete Cleansing Microfoam contains this as ingredient number 16.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
Sodium Benzoate is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoatePrimark PS Clear and Cool Cleansing Face Wash contains this as ingredient number 18.
Shiseido Complete Cleansing Microfoam contains this as ingredient number 13.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Primark PS Clear and Cool Cleansing Face Wash 18 ingredients
Shiseido Complete Cleansing Microfoam 25 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Primark PS Clear and Cool Cleansing Face Wash 18 ingredients
Shiseido Complete Cleansing Microfoam 25 ingredients
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