Proactiv Deep Cleansing Face Wash Versus Differin Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Cleanser
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any oils, 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
Proactiv Deep Cleansing Face Wash 29 ingredients
Differin Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Cleanser 17 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Proactiv Deep Cleansing Face Wash 29 ingredients
Differin Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Cleanser 17 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Distearyl Phthalic Acid Amide
EmollientSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Menthol
Masking
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Chromium Hydroxide Green
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Distearyl Phthalic Acid Amide, Synthetic Wax, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Jojoba Esters, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Citric Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Coconut Acid, Menthol, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ascorbic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Isopropyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Sulfite, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Chromium Hydroxide Green
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 WaterCocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient 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 BetaineChances 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 ChlorideCitric 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 AcidCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolSodium 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 HydroxideIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Proactiv Deep Cleansing Face Wash 29 ingredients
Differin Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Cleanser 17 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Proactiv Deep Cleansing Face Wash 29 ingredients
Differin Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Cleanser 17 ingredients
TL;DR: Affordable and helpful with breakouts. Can be mildly drying, but not as drying as other "acne-safe" cleansers. Specifically formulated with retinoid use in mind.
Picked this up when I first started tret. I believe this DOES have AHA's in it (that you have to hunt for in the ingredients list—they're not called out), which can make it mildly drying and exfoliating, but I do find my cystic Show more
A good basic cleanser.
