Smoochkins Low pH Probiotic Ectoin Foam Facial Cleanser Versus Smoochkins Low pH Salicylic Acid Renewing Gel Cleanser
Updated on April 17, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, 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
Smoochkins Low pH Probiotic Ectoin Foam Facial Cleanser 23 ingredients
Smoochkins Low pH Salicylic Acid Renewing Gel Cleanser 34 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Smoochkins Low pH Probiotic Ectoin Foam Facial Cleanser 23 ingredients
Smoochkins Low pH Salicylic Acid Renewing Gel Cleanser 34 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingSodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
HumectantLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEctoin
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Polyquaternium-7
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Coco-Glucoside, Cocamide Mea, Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate, Lauryl Glucoside, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Xanthan Gum, Ectoin, Madecassoside, Allantoin, Polyquaternium-7, Pentylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Cocamide DEA
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid 2%
Masking
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningO-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide DEA, Salicylic Acid 2%, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Butylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Squalane, Ceramide NP, Allantoin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone
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 GlycerinCocamidopropyl 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 BetaineSaccharide Isomerate comes from sugars found in corn. It is a skin hydrator.
The structure of this ingredient can be altered to be more similar to the carbohydrates found in our skin. This ability to mimic our skin gives it hydrating properties.
Specifically, saccharide Isomerate is a humectant. Humectants draw moisture from the air to our skin.
Research shows Saccharide Isomerate to be an effective moisturizer.
Learn more about Saccharide IsomerateAllantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.
Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolCitric 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 AcidSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateTetrasodium EDTA is the salt formed from neutralizing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. It is a chelating agent and used to prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps keep the product and ingredients stable.
Tetrasodium EDTA comes as a white solid and is soluble in water.
MCI is a preservative and known skin-irritant. It has anti-bacteria anti-fungal properties.
Studies spanning several decades have shown this ingredient to cause skin irritation and allergies.
MCI is commonly combined with methylisothiazolinone (MI). Other names for this mixture include Kathon CG and Euxyl K 100.
The use of this ingredient varies around the world:
Learn more about MethylchloroisothiazolinoneMI is a preservative and known skin irritant. In the past, MI was used for its ability to prevent bacteria, yeast, and fungi growth in low doses.
Nowadays, you'll most likely see MI combined with Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI). Trade names for this combination include Kathon CG or Euxyl K 100.
Since then, numerous studies have shown this ingredient to cause contact dermatitis, or skin irritation.
The use of this ingredient varies around the world:
Learn more about MethylisothiazolinoneIngredient Ratings
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