Versus

Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser Versus Aveeno Positively Radiant Brightening Cleanser

Face Cleanser
Face Cleanser
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on June 07, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both face cleansers. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils or silicones

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin 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 Glycerin
Cleansing, Foaming

Coco-Glucoside is a surfactant, or a cleansing ingredient. It is made from glucose and coconut oil.

Surfactants help gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants from your skin to be rinsed away.

This ingredient is considered gentle and non-comedogenic. However, it may still be irritating for some.

Learn more about Coco-Glucoside

Acrylates Copolymer is used as a film-forming agent and texture enhancer.

After applied, Acrylates Copolymer forms a thin film cover that helps skin feel more soft. It can help sunscreens become more water-resistant.

It is also used to make a product more thick.

Learn more about Acrylates Copolymer
Cosmetic Colorant

Mica refers to a group of silicate minerals. Mica crystals are easily split to give products a shimmer. These crystals are able to reflect light to temporarily give your skin a glowy look.

Mica is found to be safe. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.

Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.

Mica can be naturally found throughout the world. However, some sources of mica may be controversial. In 2016, mica mined in the Jharkhand state in India was found to be using child labor. However, companies are able to source ethical mica affiliated with international organizations that monitor the mica supply chain.

Learn more about Mica
Cosmetic Colorant, UV Absorber, UV Filter

Titanium dioxide is known for its UVA and UVB protection properties. It is non-comedogenic and non-irritating. Titanium Dioxide is a physical sunscreen. Physical sunscreens reflect light and prevent it from reaching your skin.

Protecting your skin against UV radiation can prevent the signs of aging. Sun damage is associated with fine-lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness, and hyperpigmentation. Titanium dioxide can help prevent premature aging.

With modern production, nano-scale or fine-grade titanium dioxide can be easily produced for cosmetics. In sunscreen, titanium dioxide absorbs UV light. Our skin is not able to absorb Titanium dioxide, even nanoparticles.

Titanium itself is the 9th most common element in the Earth's crust. Titanium dioxide is formed when oxygen is introduced and can be found in ores, dust, sand, and soil.

Pure titanium dioxide is a white powder that is used in many products to add or change color.

Learn more about Titanium Dioxide
Buffering

Sodium 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 Hydroxide

When to use

3,940 Routines
41% use in am
59% use in pm
97% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
32 Routines
53% use in am
47% use in pm
91% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser 12 ingredients

3.4 /5
from 67 ratings
Great Value (26) Works Well (23) Drying (21)
kyniwi's avatar

kyniwi

1 year ago
Review

Good for fungal acne but it’s pretty drying. I have dry skin so it’s not the best for me. I’ll be finishing the bottle I have then switching out for something less drying. It’s been good on my fungal acne journey, plus it’s not irritating on my sensitive skin. It’s got simple ingredients but yeah.. drying.

#great value
#drying
#no scent
MonVal's avatar

MonVal

1 year ago
Review

I bought this product thinking it was going to become a staple on my routine, it had so many good qualities, it was fungal acne safe and non comedogenic. The first time I tried it it burned my skin and eyes, but I decided to give it another try and I was really pleased as it got rid of almost most of my fungal acne HOWEVER its very drying! I think it broke my skin barrier, won't repurchase for Show more

#great value
#drying
#irritating
#no scent

Aveeno Positively Radiant Brightening Cleanser 24 ingredients

1.5 /5
from 2 ratings
Broke Me Out (2) Drying (2) Doesn't Work (1)
kristengaudin's avatar

Kristen Gaudin

8 months ago
Review

This is the absolute worst cleanser I’ve ever used. It may work for some people but it broke me out in this dry pimple looking rash all around my mouth. I do not have sensitive skin! My skins oily and mostly clear since being on accutane but this product has done a lot of damage..

#drying
#broke me out
#irritating
#sticky
alixcore's avatar

alixcore

1 year ago
Review

Acne flared up after use. Glitter is very visible. texture doesn't feel especially great; it's sort of dry.

#drying
#broke me out