
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Glycolic acid cleanser
FEATURES
Brightens skin, removes dead skin cells, maintains skin's lipid barrier
BEST FOR
combination
CHECKS
Paraben-free, artificial colors-free, fragrances-free, gluten-free
Who Is It For?
Adults With Normal Combination And Oily SkinWhat Does It Help With?
Dullness Uneven Skin Tone Environmental BuildupBudget
Mid-range ($30-$75)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What dermalogica Says
Product Description:
Brightening and conditioning cleanser that renews dull, uneven skin tone and helps remove buildup caused by environmental factors. Contains Glycolic Acid (AHA) for brightening, Calendula Extract for soothing, and Jojoba Seed Oil for nourishment.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
Water/Aqua/Eau, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, PEG-6 Cocamide, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Succinoglycan, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Leuconostoc/ Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Urea, Allantoin, Polyquaternium-51, Trehalose, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Glyceryl Oleate, Coconut Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, T-Butyl Alcohol, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium PCA, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene
Key Ingredients
Glycolic Acid, Calendula Extract, Jojoba Seed Oil
Ingredients Details
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Common Name(s): Calendula officinalis flower extract,botanical extract,phytochemical active
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides antioxidant protection, anti-inflammatory activity, and skin conditioning from polyphenols, terpenoids, and phytochemicals in the extract.
Why It's Used: Natural plant extracts provide multi-functional phytochemical profiles supporting concurrent skin care claims from one ingredient with authentic botanical heritage.
How It Works: Polyphenols scavenge ros via hโข donation; terpenoids inhibit nf-kb or cox inflammatory pathways; vitamins and minerals provide cofactor skin nutrition.
Typically Found In: Botanical skin care,natural products
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ antioxidant
Secondary Functions: Free radical scavenging,anti-aging
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ30%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional
Halal Status: Conditional
Source Notes: Plant-derived extract or synthetic.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; well-tolerated.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Vitamin c,vitamin e,ferulic acid,spf,other antioxidants
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Plant secondary metabolites evolved for uv photoprotection and pathogen defence โ mechanisms directly applicable to cosmetic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in human skin.
Last Verified: Cosing database,calendula officinalis flower extrac botanical review
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Common Name(s): Cahs,hydroxypropyl sultaine
CAS Number: 68139-30-0
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides amphoteric foaming and conditioning with excellent compatibility across surfactant systems.
Why It's Used: Premium amphoteric surfactant for mild foaming shampoos and cleansers requiring broad surfactant compatibility and improved skin and eye tolerance vs capb alternatives.
How It Works: Amphoteric sultaine (internal zwitterion from quaternary ammonium + sulfonate) provides: foam stability and enhancement; antistatic conditioning on hair; mildness enhancement reducing ionic surfactant irritation; viscosity building with salt addition. superior eye tolerance vs capb (betaine).
Typically Found In: Baby shampoos,mild cleansers,eye-safe products
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ amphoteric surfactant
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 2%โ10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ from coconut fatty acid chain
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1โ2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine's superior eye tolerance vs capb arises from its sultaine rather than betaine zwitterionic head group. the sulfonate anion (so3โป in sultaine) is a stronger acid group than the carboxylate (cooโป in betaine), providing greater charge neutralisation and better interaction with tear film proteins โ the molecular basis for its improved eye irritation profile in baby and sensitive-eye formulations.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Common Name(s): Disodium cocoyl glutamate,cosmetic active,functional ingredient
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Delivers characteristic cosmetic function at recommended use concentration.
Why It's Used: Selected for functional contribution and formulation compatibility supported by cosmetic science and regulatory safety data.
How It Works: Works through the mechanism of its molecular class โ physicochemical or biological interaction with skin proteins, lipids, or receptors as documented in peer-reviewed cosmetic literature.
Typically Found In: Skin care formulations
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ cosmetic active
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1โ2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Disodium cocoyl glutamate has an established safety and efficacy profile within the cosmetic regulatory framework at standard use concentrations.
Last Verified: Cosing database,disodium cocoyl glutamate technical literature
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Glycerin
Common Name(s): Glycerol,glycerine,1,2,3-propanetriol
CAS Number: 56-81-5
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Glycerin pulls water from the environment and deeper skin layers into the outer skin layer (epidermis), boosting moisture levels and keeping skin soft, smooth, and plump.
Why It's Used: It is used in virtually every moisturizer, serum, and cleanser because it is highly effective at hydrating skin, is well-tolerated by all skin types, and enhances the texture and spreadability of formulations.
How It Works: As a humectant, glycerin forms hydrogen bonds with water molecules, trapping them in the skin. it also reinforces the skin barrier by integrating into lipid structures between skin cells.
Typically Found In: Moisturizers,serums,cleansers,toners,sheet masks,sunscreens,body lotions,shampoos,conditioners
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Humectant
Secondary Functions: Skin barrier support,emollient,solvent
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ30% (typical: 3โ10%)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ plant-derived (coconut, soy, palm) or synthetic
Halal Status: Yes โ when plant-derived or synthetic; verify source with supplier
Source Notes: Derived from plant oils via hydrolysis or saponification; synthetic versions also available. palm-derived glycerin carries sustainability concerns.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low; non-irritating at all standard concentrations
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Extremely rare allergic reactions; generally safe for all skin types including sensitive and baby skin
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Widely recognized as safe. ewg hazard score: 1. no significant concerns for irritation, sensitization, or toxicity at typical concentrations (up to 50%).
Works Well With: Hyaluronic acid,ceramides,niacinamide,panthenol,urea,peptides,retinol,ahas/bhas
Avoid Combining With: No known incompatibilities at standard concentrations
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Glycerin is an endogenous skin component found naturally in the stratum corneum. aquaporin-3 channels in keratinocytes facilitate glycerin transport, making it integral to natural skin hydration pathways.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,ewg skin deep,inci decoder
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12