The Derma Co 2% Niacinamide Gentle Skin Cleanser Versus The Derma Co 2% Niacinamide Oily Skin Cleanser
Updated on June 20, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 12 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain ceramides, exfoliants and niacinamide
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
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
The Derma Co 2% Niacinamide Gentle Skin Cleanser 19 ingredients
The Derma Co 2% Niacinamide Oily Skin Cleanser 17 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
The Derma Co 2% Niacinamide Gentle Skin Cleanser 19 ingredients
The Derma Co 2% Niacinamide Oily Skin Cleanser 17 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCicada Extract
Antioxidant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Xanthan Gum, Cicada Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Gluconate, Ceramide AP, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingCicada Extract
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Saccharide Isomerate
HumectantSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingIngredients 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 GlycerinNiacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol 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.
Cocamidopropyl 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 BetaineThis ingredient comes from the exoskeleton of cicadas, a family of insects. This ingredient has antioxidant, antimicrobial, and astringent properties.
Saccharide 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 IsomerateThis is the synthetic salt of gluconic acid, a form of PHA and mild exfoliant.
It is mainly used to stabilize oil and butter formulations from going bad. Sodium gluconate is a humectant, pH regulator, and chelating agent.
Chelating agents help neutralize unwanted metals from affecting the formulation.
Sodium gluconate is water-soluble.
Learn more about Sodium GluconateCeramide AP is a type of Ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. Having a strong skin barrier leads to more firm and hydrated skin.
They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide NP Ceramide EOP
Learn more about Ceramide APAvena Sativa Kernel Extract is is derived from colloidal oatmeal. Besides being a healthy breakfast, oats have many benefits in skincare too.
This ingredient helps sooth, hydrate, and protect the skin. The starches in colloidal oatmeal are able to bind water, keeping the skin hydrated.
The cellulose and fiber in colloidal oatmeal help reduce inflammation. This can also help the skin feel softer.
Colloidal Oatmeal is also an antioxidant. Antioxidants protect our skin from free-radical damage.
Oatmeal also contains beneficial compounds:
This ingredient is created by mixing grounded oatmeal and a liquid base.
Learn more about Avena Sativa Kernel ExtractCitric 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 CitrateIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
The Derma Co 2% Niacinamide Gentle Skin Cleanser 19 ingredients
The Derma Co 2% Niacinamide Oily Skin Cleanser 17 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
The Derma Co 2% Niacinamide Gentle Skin Cleanser 19 ingredients
The Derma Co 2% Niacinamide Oily Skin Cleanser 17 ingredients
2.5 stars. Pretty medioce. A dupe of the Cetaphil cleanser for oily skin. It's fine if you have active acne and need a gentle cleanser. But for daily use... not so great.
