Skinstitut Gentle Cleanser Versus Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse
Updated on August 01, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 8 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, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Skinstitut Gentle Cleanser 20 ingredients
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse 25 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Skinstitut Gentle Cleanser 20 ingredients
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse 25 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingAmmonium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Olea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Camellia Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Cucumis Sativus Oil
Emollient
Water, Glycerin, Decyl Glucoside, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lactic Acid, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Maltodextrin, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Cucumis Sativus Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentYucca Schidigera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentDisodium EDTA
Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Mandelic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citric Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Yucca Schidigera Root Extract, Lactic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Maltodextrin, Disodium EDTA, Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil, Limonene, Linalool
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 WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Lactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.
Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.
Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.
Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
Maltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinSodium 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 HydroxideCitric 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 AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Skinstitut Gentle Cleanser 20 ingredients
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse 25 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Skinstitut Gentle Cleanser 20 ingredients
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse 25 ingredients
This was my go-to cleanser for yeaaaars. I used it to help clear my hormonal acne and it helped heaps! It was never super stripping and didn't irritate my skin while I was using retinol, however, I have found since starting tretinoin my skin is much more sensitive and cannot tolerate this cleanser anymore :(
