Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Proactiv Acne Body Wash versus Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub .
Published on August 29, 2022
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 25 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, exfoliants and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for 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, common allergens, parabens or silicones
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 need an update? Let us know.
Body Wash
Products for cleansing your body. These include soaps, gels, cleansing creams, cleansing oils, and body washes.
Body Scrub
Body scrubs help exfoliate the dead skin on your body.
Ingredient Info
Proactiv Acne Body Wash 29 ingredients
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub 33 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:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
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 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of 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
Proactiv Acne Body Wash 29 ingredients
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub 33 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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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:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 2 ingredients 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 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.
Proactiv Acne Body Wash 29 ingredients
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub 33 ingredients
Acrylic Acid/Stearyl Acrylate Copolymer 2% • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract • Butylene Glycol • Butyrospermum Parkii Butter • Chromium Hydroxide Green • Citric Acid • Cocamidopropyl Betaine • Coco-Betaine • Coconut Acid • Disodium EDTA • Parfum • Glycerin • Glycol Distearate • Glycolic Acid • Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose • Laureth-4 • Lauroyl/Myristoyl Methyl Glucamide • Mannitol • Microcrystalline Cellulose • Olive Oil Peg-8 Esters • Polyquaternium-39 • Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil • Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate • Sodium Chloride • Sodium Hydroxide • Synthetic Wax • Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter • Tocopheryl Acetate • Water
Water • Acrylates Copolymer • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract • Butylene Glycol • Butyrospermum Parkii Butter • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Cocamidopropyl Betaine • Coco-Betaine • Coconut Acid • Disodium EDTA • Parfum • Glycerin • Glycol Distearate • Glycolic Acid • Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose • Kaolin • Laureth-4 • Lauroyl/Myristoyl Methyl Glucamide • Mannitol • Microcrystalline Cellulose • Olive Oil Peg-8 Esters • Paraffin • Polyquaternium-39 • Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil • Retinyl Palmitate • Silica • Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate • Sodium Chloride • Sodium Hydroxide • Sodium Sulfate • Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter • Tocopheryl Acetate • Ultramarines
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.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract is an extract of the leaves of the aloe, Aloe barbadensis, Liliaceae.
You may know Aloe to be a good sunburn reliever and inflammation reducer. This is because it contains many components that are known to help reduce irritation and itchiness. These include vitamins, amino acids, polysaccharides, and more. The high water content of aloe also helps give a cooling effect.
Aloe contains the antioxidants Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins neutralize free radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
The aloe plant is naturally abundant in polysaccharides, a carbohydrate made of sugar molecules. Polysaccharides help hydrate your skin by mimicking your skin's natural carbohydrates.
As it is easily absorbed by the skin, aloe is a great moisturizer. It is both a humectant and emollient. Emollients help trap moisture in your skin, keeping your skin soft. Humectants draw water from the air to your skin.
Other components of aloe include sugars such as monosaccharides and polysaccharides, folic acid, choline, many common minerals such as calcium, fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamin B12.
Aloe does not protect against UV rays, despite it soothing sunburns.
There are over 420 species of aloe but Aloe Barbadensis is the most commonly used for topical products.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractProactiv Acne Body Wash contains this as ingredient number 2.
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub contains this as ingredient number 3.
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.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.
Proactiv Acne Body Wash contains this as ingredient number 3.
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub contains this as ingredient number 4.
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter is a plant lipid from the fruit of the Shea Tree. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. It does this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Shea butter is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may harm the body. It is also full of fatty acids including stearic acid and linoleic acid. These acids help replenish the skin and keep skin moisturized.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
Shea butter may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterProactiv Acne Body Wash contains this as ingredient number 4.
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub contains this as ingredient number 5.
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 BetaineProactiv Acne Body Wash contains this as ingredient number 7.
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub contains this as ingredient number 7.
Coco-Betaine is the natural version of Cocamidopropyl Betaine. It is often derived from coconuts.
Coco-Betaine is a surfactant, meaning it helps remove dirt and oil from the skin.
Proactiv Acne Body Wash contains this as ingredient number 8.
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub contains this as ingredient number 8.
Coconut Acid isn't fungal acne safe.
Proactiv Acne Body Wash contains this as ingredient number 9.
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub contains this as ingredient number 9.
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 EDTAProactiv Acne Body Wash contains this as ingredient number 10.
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub contains this as ingredient number 10.
Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give aroma to products. Parfum, or fragrance, can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "Parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'. 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. One example is Calendula flower extract. Essential oil ingredients still impart a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, it can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Products use parfum often to give products a scent or cover up smells of different ingredients.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumProactiv Acne Body Wash contains this as ingredient number 11.
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub contains this as ingredient number 11.
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 GlycerinProactiv Acne Body Wash contains this as ingredient number 12.
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub contains this as ingredient number 12.
Glycol Distearate serves as a pearlizing or opacifying agent in cosmetic products.
It's often included in cleansers and haircare products to give them a lustrous or shimmering appearance.
It is derived from stearic acid, a natural fatty acid commonly found in vegetable oils and animal fats.
Glycol Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glycol DistearateProactiv Acne Body Wash contains this as ingredient number 13.
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub contains this as ingredient number 13.
Glycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with research to back up its benefits. Its main role is to peel the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.
Glycolic Acid has shown to boost collage production, a protein that helps skin stay firm. Overall, Glycolic Acid helps with improving uneven tone, rough patches of skin, fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. It also increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.
When applying Glycolic Acid, it is normal to feel slight stinging. The pH value and concentration of glycolic acid play a role in the effectiveness of the product.
Recent studies have shown Glycolic Acid may protect the skin against UV damage. However, you should always wear SPF, especially when using exfoliants.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidProactiv Acne Body Wash contains this as ingredient number 14.
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub contains this as ingredient number 14.
This ingredient is a semi-synthetic polymer created from cellulose. In case you need a refresher, cellulose is the main component of plant cell walls.
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose has many uses:
- emulsifier
- create a gel-like texture
- boost foam
Proactiv Acne Body Wash contains this as ingredient number 15.
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub contains this as ingredient number 15.
Laureth-4 is created by reacting ethylene oxide with Lauryl Alcohol. It is a surfactant and emulsifier.
Surfactants reduce the surface tension of ingredients so they can mix better. Emulsifiers prevent ingredients such as oil and water from separating.
Proactiv Acne Body Wash contains this as ingredient number 16.
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub contains this as ingredient number 17.
We don't have a description for Lauroyl/Myristoyl Methyl Glucamide.
Proactiv Acne Body Wash contains this as ingredient number 17.
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub contains this as ingredient number 18.
Mannitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a humectant and moisturizes the skin. In vitro (not tested on a living organism), mannitol displays antioxidant properties.
When found in aqueous solutions, mannitol tends to become acidic. This is because it loses a hydrogen ion. This is why mannitol can often be found with pH adjusting ingredients, such as sodium bicarbonate.
Fun fact: Mannitol can be found in foods as a sweetener. It can be naturally found in mushrooms, algae, fruits, and veggies.
Learn more about MannitolProactiv Acne Body Wash contains this as ingredient number 18.
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub contains this as ingredient number 19.
Microcrystalline Cellulose is another name for refined wood pulp. It is used as an emulsifier and mattifying ingredient. As an emulsifier, it helps keep ingredients together.
Proactiv Acne Body Wash contains this as ingredient number 19.
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub contains this as ingredient number 20.
Olive Oil Peg-8 Esters is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.
Proactiv Acne Body Wash contains this as ingredient number 20.
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub contains this as ingredient number 21.
We don't have a description for Polyquaternium-39.
Proactiv Acne Body Wash contains this as ingredient number 21.
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub contains this as ingredient number 23.
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil comes from the sweet almond, a tree native to Iran. This oil has no fragrance and is non-volatile.
Almonds contain healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. It is a rich source of Vitamin E, a great antioxidant and skin conditioning ingredient. Sweet almond oil contains fatty acids such as linolenic acid and triglycerides.
The content of sweet almond oil makes it a great emollient; it can help soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a barrier over your skin to trap moisture in. Sweet almond oil has antioxidant properties. This may help with anti-aging, as antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are unstable molecules that may damage your skin's cells.
Those with an almond allergy should be careful of this ingredient and speak with a professional about using it in your skincare.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis OilProactiv Acne Body Wash contains this as ingredient number 22.
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub contains this as ingredient number 24.
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.
Proactiv Acne Body Wash contains this as ingredient number 23.
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub contains this as ingredient number 27.
Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideProactiv Acne Body Wash contains this as ingredient number 24.
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub contains this as ingredient number 28.
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 HydroxideProactiv Acne Body Wash contains this as ingredient number 25.
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub contains this as ingredient number 29.
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter comes from the Theobroma cacoa, or Cacao tree. Cacao trees are native to tropical landscapes.
Like other plant butters, Cacao seed butter is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. By creating a barrier to trap moisture in, emollients help keep your skin hydrated.
Cacao seed butter contains antioxidants known as polyphenols. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules by stabilizing them. Unstable free-radicals may cause damage to your skin cells. Antioxidants may help with anti-aging.
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter can be bad for acne prone skin.
Learn more about Theobroma Cacao Seed ButterProactiv Acne Body Wash contains this as ingredient number 27.
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub contains this as ingredient number 31.
Tocopheryl 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 AcetateProactiv Acne Body Wash contains this as ingredient number 28.
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub contains this as ingredient number 32.
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 WaterProactiv Acne Body Wash contains this as ingredient number 29.
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub contains this as ingredient number 1.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Proactiv Acne Body Wash 29 ingredients
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub 33 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Proactiv Acne Body Wash 29 ingredients
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub 33 ingredients
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 8 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Proactiv Acne Body Wash.
See 8 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 2 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub.
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