Explore Routine Login

Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Sephora Collection Clean Skin Gel Cleanser with Prebiotics versus Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser US .

Last updated on January 06, 2024. Published on April 15, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 5 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 harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or 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 French Brand France
Face Cleanser American Brand United States

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

Shop

Buy Clean Skin Gel Cleanser with Prebiotics

Starts at $14.95
Shop

Buy Gentle Skin Cleanser

Starts at $12.47

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Benefits

Hydrating
Brightening

Notable Ingredients

Niacinamide

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Reduces Large Pores
Dark Spots
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Join our community

Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.

Join SkinSort

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

Loading ingredients...

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Water

Sephora Collection Clean Skin Gel Cleanser with Prebiotics contains this as ingredient number 1.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser US contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Glycerin

Sephora Collection Clean Skin Gel Cleanser with Prebiotics contains this as ingredient number 3.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser US contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

Sephora Collection Clean Skin Gel Cleanser with Prebiotics contains this as ingredient number 5.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser US contains this as ingredient number 7.

4
What it does: Masking, Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

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 Benzoate

Sephora Collection Clean Skin Gel Cleanser with Prebiotics contains this as ingredient number 6.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser US contains this as ingredient number 9.

5
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

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 Acid

Sephora Collection Clean Skin Gel Cleanser with Prebiotics contains this as ingredient number 7.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser US contains this as ingredient number 10.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

40% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
50% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
50% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
50% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

Loading routine usage...
Loading routine usage...

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Sephora Collection Clean Skin Gel Cleanser with Prebiotics 10 ingredients

3.7 /5
from 3 ratings
Light (1) No Scent (1) Works Well (1)
starstellastar_407's avatar

starstellastar_407

5 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

This product is so gentle and inoffensive. It hasnt improved my issue, but unlike most cleasers filled with terrible ingredients it doesn't worsen...

This product is so gentle and inoffensive. It hasnt improved my issue, but unlike most cleasers filled with terrible ingredients it doesn't worsen them. It cleans your face. That's what a cleanser should do. I always stock up on this one.

wthtay's avatar

wthtay

8 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

Love it!
I bought it because I was looking for a FA safe and sulfate free cleanser and it had good reviews on Sephora's website and turns out it's...

Love it!
I bought it because I was looking for a FA safe and sulfate free cleanser and it had good reviews on Sephora's website and turns out it's probably one of the best cleansers I've ever bought! It's very gentle, after cleasing I feel my skin so clean, smooth and clear.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser 10 ingredients

2.5 /5
from 22 ratings
No Scent (3) Drying (2) Broke Me Out (2) Great Value (2) Irritating (2) Light (2)
starstellastar_407's avatar

starstellastar_407

4 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

This is HORRIBLE, soooo bad. Broke me out so bad. It is mega comedogenic. The ingredients are literally known to cause acne.

valstagram's avatar

valstagram

2 years ago · Combination Skin
Review

great !!
a simple gentle cleanser but nothing too special

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Sephora Collection Clean Skin Gel Cleanser with Prebiotics.

See 50 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser US.

See 50 alternatives
Loading similar comparisons...