Versus

Youth To The People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser Versus Biossance Squalane + BHA Pore-Minimizing Toner

Face Cleanser
Toner
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on July 18, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain common allergens and 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

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

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser
Squalane + BHA Pore-Minimizing Toner

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
Masking

Chances 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 Chloride
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
Buffering, Masking

Citric 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 Acid
Preservative

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.

Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.

You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.

Learn more about Potassium Sorbate
Masking, Preservative

Sodium 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 Benzoate

When to use

2,084 Routines
48% use in am
52% use in pm
97% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
81 Routines
46% use in am
54% use in pm
89% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Youth To The People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser 35 ingredients

3.3 /5
from 24 ratings
Drying (6) Expensive (5) Light Scent (4)
sarape's avatar

Sara

1 year ago
Review

Pricey, but great for oily skin, and I don't think it's stripping at all (although, dry skin people may disagree). It provides a very deep cleansing, but your face won't feel super dry right after as it happens with other cleansers for oily skin that contain harsh ingredients like mint. Plus, it smells very refreshing, like freshly cut grass. It shocks me that despite the brand's philosophy, they Show more

#expensive
#light
#strong scent
#works well
Ninamujer's avatar

Nina

1 year ago
Review

Like it
This cleanser smells nice and does its job. The only downside is the price tag.

Biossance Squalane + BHA Pore-Minimizing Toner 27 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 1 rating
Drying (1) Irritating (1) Strong Scent (1)
wednesdayophelia's avatar

Mica

6 months ago
Review

This was too harsh of an astringent for my sensitive dry face, nobody needs so many fragrant plant oil extracts with chemical exfoliants, but it found a new purpose exfoliating on and behind my ears, on the kp bumps on my arms, and on ingrown hairs on my bikini line.

#drying
#irritating
#strong scent