Y.O.U Acne Plus Low PH Calming Cleanser Versus Safi Dermasafe Mild Gentle Gel Cleanser
Updated on December 13, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both face cleansers. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens or silicones
What's Inside
They both contain 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
Y.O.U Acne Plus Low PH Calming Cleanser 28 ingredients
Safi Dermasafe Mild Gentle Gel Cleanser 17 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
Safi Dermasafe Mild Gentle Gel Cleanser 17 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
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 ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Cocamide Methyl Mea
Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate
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 BetaineSodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a sulfate with surfactant properties.
The surfactant property make it a great foam creator and cleansing agent. Surfactants help bind ingredients that normally do not mix.
Some studies have shown skin irritation due to prolonged SLS use.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a milder version of SLS.
Learn more about Sodium Lauryl SulfateChances 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 ChlorideAcrylates 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 CopolymerButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
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 GlycerinSodium 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 HydroxideCitric 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 AcidIngredient Ratings
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