Versus

Simple Skincare Kind To Skin Refreshing Facial Wash - United Kingdom Versus Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser Dry to Normal Sensitive Skin

Face Cleanser
Face Cleanser
British Brand United Kingdom
American Brand United States

Updated on December 10, 2024

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, brightening skin and sensitive 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 needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Skin Conditioning

Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.

There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.

D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.

Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):

Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.

This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.

Learn more about Panthenol
Masking, Preservative

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.

It 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
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Pantolactone is a synthetically created humectant.

As a humectant, Pantolactone helps draw moisture to the skin. It can help add hydration to your skin.

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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
Buffering, Masking

Citric 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 Acid

When to use

5 Routines
60% use in am
40% use in pm
100% use every day
169 Routines
43% use in am
57% use in pm
99% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Simple Skincare Kind To Skin Refreshing Facial Wash 16 ingredients

2.3 /5
from 10 ratings
No Scent (6) Light (3) Works Well (3)
rebeccahplatt's avatar

rebeccah platt

3 months ago
Review

Even before I developed rosacea, this face wash has ALWAYS caused break outs and acne where other gentle cleansers don’t. It’s bizarre to me because you’d expect simple to be gentle etc but it’s actually been bad, both before and after rosacea development. I’ve tried it on and off over many years to give it chance after chance. But every single time it broke me out.

#broke me out
#irritating
#no scent

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser Dry to Normal Sensitive Skin 10 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Broke Me Out (1) Doesn't Work (1) Hydrating (1)
raimaamrin's avatar

Raima Amrin

2 months ago
Review

Didnt see any benefits but it is safe and did not broke me out or strip my skin

#hydrating
#no scent
#works well
psjuillet's avatar

psjuillet

10 months ago
Review

Lo compre sin dudarlo ya que mi dermatóloga me lo receto, comencé a usarlo en mayo, pero desde ese entonces noté que mi producción de grasa aumento de manera increíble, a ese momento lo había atribuido al calor ya que estábamos pasando por temperaturas de hasta 40 grados, sin embargo también comence a notar que mi acné volvió a salir cuando se había controlado, hasta que leí una reseña sobre este Show more

#broke me out
#doesn't work