The Nue Co Barrier Culture Cleanser Versus Credo True Timeout Vetiver Root + Calming Botanicals Cleanser
Updated on July 17, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens, silicones 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
The Nue Co Barrier Culture Cleanser 19 ingredients
Credo True Timeout Vetiver Root + Calming Botanicals Cleanser 24 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
The Nue Co Barrier Culture Cleanser 19 ingredients
Credo True Timeout Vetiver Root + Calming Botanicals Cleanser 24 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningInulin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Inulin, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Maltodextrin, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Hyaluronic Acid, Lactic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingErythritol
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Albatrellus Confluens Extract
Humectant
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Extract
Perfuming
Cocoyl Proline
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Inulin
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPhenylpropanol
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Phytate
Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Coco-Glucoside, Erythritol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Albatrellus Confluens Extract, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Extract, Cocoyl Proline, Lactic Acid, Inulin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Maltodextrin, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Phenylpropanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Phytate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide is a prebiotic. It prevents harmful bacteria from growing on skin by keeping the skin's microbiome in balance.
Another benefit of this ingredient is its antioxidant properties. Antioxidants protect our skin from oxidative damage.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin 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 GlycerinInulin is a polysaccharide (carbohydrate) with prebiotic and antioxidant properties.
The majority of inulin is extracted from chicory, but can also be obtained from other plants such as garlic, onion, asparagus, and sugarcane.
Studies show inulin may help with controlling your skin's natural microbiota when applied topically.
The antioxidant potential of inulin varies depending on the source.
Learn more about InulinLactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the āglueā that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they donāt penetrate as deeply. This means theyāre less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skinās microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the productās pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidLactobacillus Ferment is created by fermenting the Lactobacillus bacteria. It helps keep our skin's natural barrier and microbiome healthy.
Studies show lactobacillus ferment to be effective at repairing the skin barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier helps keep your skin healthy and hydrated. It also protects against bad bacteria.
As a probiotic/prebiotic/postbiotic, Lactobacillus ferment can help regular our natural biome. In fact, one study found a lack of diversity in our natural skin biome can trigger acne.
Learn more about Lactobacillus FermentMaltodextrin 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 MaltodextrinWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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