Y.O.U Acne Plus Low PH Calming Cleanser Versus Nard Grain Brightening Cleansing Foam
Updated on December 13, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both face cleansers. They have a total of 12 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, BHA and PHA
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, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols 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
Y.O.U Acne Plus Low PH Calming Cleanser 28 ingredients
Nard Grain Brightening Cleansing Foam 40 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Y.O.U Acne Plus Low PH Calming Cleanser 28 ingredients
Nard Grain Brightening Cleansing Foam 40 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Acrylates Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
PEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Cocamide Mea
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Methylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Glycol Distearate, Acrylates Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, PEG-150 Distearate, Cocamide Mea, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycerin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Salicylic Acid, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Lactobionic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Citric Acid, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol
Water
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates Copolymer
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium EDTA
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningNardostachys Jatamansi Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Triethanolamine, Stearic Acid, Myristic Acid, Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Chloride, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Benzoate, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Salicylic Acid, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Nardostachys Jatamansi Rhizome/Root Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Gluconolactone, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Citric Acid, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Allantoin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
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 BetaineChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideGlycol Distearate serves as a pearlizing or opacifying agent in cosmetic products.
It's often included in cleansers and haircare products to give them a lustrous or shimmering appearance.
It is derived from stearic acid, a natural fatty acid commonly found in vegetable oils and animal fats.
Glycol Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glycol DistearateAcrylates 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 CopolymerSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateGlycerin 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 GlycerinCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractSalicylic 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 AcidCitric 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 AcidHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
