Superdrug Deep Action Daily Facial Wash Versus Merle Norman Acne Defense Foaming Cleanser
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA and BHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
Superdrug Deep Action Daily Facial Wash 16 ingredients
Merle Norman Acne Defense Foaming Cleanser 43 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Superdrug Deep Action Daily Facial Wash 16 ingredients
Merle Norman Acne Defense Foaming Cleanser 43 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingAcacia Concinna Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Gypsophila Paniculata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientSea Whip Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract
Perfuming
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
AstringentGardenia Taitensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Abelmoschus Seed Extract
Masking
Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHedychium Spicatum Extract
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract
Masking
Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
PEG-9 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Phospholipids
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantLactic Acid
Buffering
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Balanites Aegyptiaca Fruit Extract
Bisabolol
Masking
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Acacia Concinna Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Gypsophila Paniculata Root Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Sea Whip Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Hibiscus Abelmoschus Seed Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Hedychium Spicatum Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract, Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, PEG-9 Dimethicone, Phospholipids, Glucose, Lactic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Balanites Aegyptiaca Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Ethoxydiglycol, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA
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 BetaineSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidGlycerin 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 GlycerinIngredient Ratings
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