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ZO Skin Health Gentle Cleanser Versus SkinBetter Science Cleansing Gel

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

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, oils, parabens 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

Free from

Safety & Ethics

American Brand

Brand country of origin

Free from

Safety & Ethics

American Brand

Brand country of origin

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Ingredients, at a glance

What's in this product, and how it might affect your skin.

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients, at a glance

What's in this product, and how it might affect your skin.

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Gentle Cleanser
Water 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.

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Sodium Laureth Sulfate Cleansing, Emulsifying, Foaming
Sulfate IconCan worsen Dry Skin Icon

Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.

Very disliked
SulfateSulfate IconCan worsen Dry SkinCan worsen Dry Skin Icon
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Cocamidopropyl Betaine Cleansing
May worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.

Disliked by users
2 Concerns
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Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids Cleansing, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids yet.

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Sodium Chloride Masking
Can worsen Dry Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.

Very disliked
3 Concerns
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Artemisia Vulgaris Extract Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Artemisia Vulgaris Extract is more commonly known as the common mugwort. It has strong antioxidant properties and helps soothe irritation.

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2 Benefits
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Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.

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AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon4 Benefits
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Crithmum Maritimum Extract Skin Conditioning, Tonic

We don't have a description for Crithmum Maritimum Extract yet.

Not enough ratings
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Hordeum Distichon Extract Skin Protecting

We don't have a description for Hordeum Distichon Extract yet.

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Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract Skin Conditioning, Tonic

We don't have a description for Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract yet.

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Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract Antimicrobial

We don't have a description for Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract yet.

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Pterocarpus Soyauxii Wood Extract Astringent

We don't have a description for Pterocarpus Soyauxii Wood Extract yet.

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Spiraea Ulmaria Extract Astringent, Skin Conditioning, Tonic

We don't have a description for Spiraea Ulmaria Extract yet.

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Butylene Glycol Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

1 Com. / 0 Irr.
Mixed reviews
Helps hydrate Dry SkinHelps hydrate Dry Skin Icon
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Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Loved by users
2 Benefits
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Tetrasodium EDTA
May worsen Eczema Icon

Tetrasodium EDTA is the salt formed from neutralizing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. It is a chelating agent and used to prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps keep the product and ingredients stable.

Very disliked
May worsen EczemaMay worsen Eczema Icon
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Phenoxyethanol Preservative
Preservative Icon

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.

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PreservativePreservative Icon
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Ethylhexylglycerin Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

Mixed reviews
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Benzoic Acid Masking, Preservative
Preservative IconMay worsen Eczema Icon

Benzoic Acid is used to preserve and adjust the pH of products.

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PreservativePreservative IconMay worsen EczemaMay worsen Eczema Icon
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Parfum Masking, Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.

Very disliked
FragranceFragrance Icon2 Concerns
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CI 42090 Cosmetic Colorant

Ci 42090 is a synthetic dye created from petroleum. It is used to give a bright blue color to cosmetics, medicine, and food.

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CI 17200 Cosmetic Colorant
1 / 2

Ci 17200 is a synthetic reddish-purple dye.

1 Com. / 2 Irr.
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Citronellol Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Citronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".

Very disliked
FragranceFragrance Icon2 Concerns
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Hexyl Cinnamal Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Hexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.

Very disliked
FragranceFragrance Icon2 Concerns
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Limonene Perfuming, Solvent
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.

Very disliked
FragranceFragrance Icon2 Concerns
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Linalool Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Linalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.

Very disliked
FragranceFragrance Icon4 Concerns
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Cleansing Gel
Water 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.

Loved by users
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Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate Cleansing, Foaming
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

This gentle cleansing and foaming ingredient is known for leaving a smooth feeling in skin and hair. It is made using coconut oil.

Very disliked
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon
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Lauramidopropyl Betaine Cleansing, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Lauramidopropyl Betaine yet.

Not enough ratings
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Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine Cleansing, Skin Conditioning

Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is a synthetic cleansing agent, though it is derived from coconut oil.

Disliked by users
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Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate Cleansing

Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate is a cleansing ingredient. It is a surfactant, meaning it helps gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants. This helps them be rinsed away easily.

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Sodium Chloride Masking
Can worsen Dry Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.

Very disliked
3 Concerns
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Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Loved by users
2 Benefits
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Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice comes from leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is best known for helping to soothe sunburns. It is also anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and can help heal wounds.

Liked by users
2 Benefits
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Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Masking, Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.

Liked by users
2 Benefits
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Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract Emollient, Skin Conditioning

This extract comes from cucumber. Cucumbers are mostly made up of water (95%), and the other 5% is composed of: vitamin C, caffeic acid, fatty acids, amino acids, and other minerals.

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Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate Emulsifying

We don't have a description for Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate yet.

Not enough ratings
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Citric Acid Buffering, Masking
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

Disliked by users
AHAAHA Icon5 BenefitsMay worsen RosaceaMay worsen Rosacea Icon
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Sodium Benzoate Masking, Preservative
Preservative Icon

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.

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PreservativePreservative Icon
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Potassium Sorbate Preservative
Preservative Icon

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

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PreservativePreservative Icon
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Phytic Acid
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Phytic Acid is a gentle AHA and antioxidant. AHAs are chemical exfoliants that help remove dead skin cells. Phytic Acid has a slight and mild exfoliating effect.

Liked by users
AHAAHA Icon2 BenefitsMay worsen RosaceaMay worsen Rosacea Icon
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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
Loved

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
Very Disliked

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
Loved

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

When to use

183 Routines
49% use in am
51% use in pm
98% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
42 Routines
45% use in am
55% use in pm
100% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

ZO Skin Health Gentle Cleanser 26 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 3 ratings
Expensive (1) Hydrating (1) Works Well (1)
CarolynDavidson's avatar

CarolynDavidson

10 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

Obsessed

SkinBetter Science Cleansing Gel 15 ingredients

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