Philosophy Clear Days Ahead Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Cleanser

Philosophy Clear Days Ahead Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Cleanser

Review

Does Philosophy Clear Days Ahead Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Cleanser work?

Philosophy Clear Days Ahead Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Cleanser is a type of skincare product designed to be rinsed off, peeled off, or otherwise removed from the skin. Research confirming the moisturizing, anti-wrinkle, and soothing effects of such products is very limited. Therefore, we do not provide efficacy ratings for these types of skincare products.

However, you can explore the roles of specific ingredients in the Ingredients Explained section below.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
45
22
11
6
4
3
2
1.5
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Function:
Origin:
Acrylates Crosspolymer-4
Function:
Origin:
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Function:
Origin:
Polysorbate 20
Function:
Origin:
Niacinamide
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Panthenol
Function:
Origin:
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Extract
Function:
Origin:
Salicylic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Function:
Origin:
Jojoba Esters
Function:
Origin:
Disodium Capryloyl Glutamate
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Chloride
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Sulfate
Function:
Origin:
Potassium Chloride
Function:
Origin:
Butylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Citric Acid
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hydroxide
Function:
Origin:
Hydrogen Peroxide
Function:
Origin:
Propylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Function:
Origin:
Methylisothiazolinone
Function:
Origin:
o-Cymen-5-ol
Function:
Origin:

Ingredients explained

Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Est. %45
Function
Origin
Sodium C14-16 Olefin SulfonateAn anionic surfactant alternative to sulfates with an excellent foaming profile.
Acrylates Crosspolymer-4
Est. %22
Function
Origin
Acrylates Crosspolymer-4
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Est. %11
Function
Origin
Cocamidopropyl BetaineA mildly cleansing ingredient derived from coconut. It also produces the foam that tells us our soap is actually working to remove dirt and oils.
Polysorbate 20
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Polysorbate 20A viscous, amber-colored liquid that functions as a solubilizer to disperse small amounts of oil into a large water phase. Polysorbate 20 is frequently used to solubilize fragrance oils into water-based emulsions.
Niacinamide
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Niacinamide

Also known as vitamin B3, this ingredient is a true superstar with confirmed moisturizing, anti-acne, hyperpigmentation, and antioxidant benefits. Two studies confirm its significant anti-wrinkle efficacy.

Glycerin
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Glycerin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Panthenol
Est. %2
Function
Origin
PanthenolA popular soothing and moisturizing derivative of vitamin B5. Panthenol is particularly beneficial for dry, flaking, burned, or damaged skin. It is used to alleviate the symptoms of a rash, dermatitis, eczema, chapped lips, and sunburn.
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Extract
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Extract

Citrus aurantium dulcis peel extract is the same extract as Citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) fruit extract. It has antioxidant properties and gives a skincare product a fresh orange scent. It also works as a thickener due to its pectin content. Read more about the extract here: Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract.

Salicylic Acid
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Salicylic AcidThis effective peeling and anti-inflammatory BHA is used as an anti-acne agent and works by breaking down the junctions between dead skin cells. This results in the peeling of dead skin and the unclogging of pores.
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Hydrolyzed Jojoba EstersAn occlusive moisturizing mixture of fatty acids and fatty alcohols obtained from jojoba oil. It is also used as a formula helper.
Jojoba Esters
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Jojoba EstersA mixture of various wax esters from jojoba oil. It is used in skincare products as a fantastic emollient, soothing, and occlusive moisturizing agent that won't leave a sticky, oily feeling on the skin.
Disodium Capryloyl Glutamate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Disodium Capryloyl Glutamate
Sodium Chloride
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium Chloride

You’re definitely familiar with sodium chloride, even if you don’t think you are. It’s table salt! Salt works well with some cleansing ingredients (surfactants) to thicken them into gels. It also acts as a stabilizer for water-in-oil emulsions.

Sodium Sulfate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium SulfateAn inorganic sodium salt that provides volume and thickens emulsions.
Potassium Chloride
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Potassium ChlorideA salt of hydrochloric acid that stabilizes emulsions through thickening.
Butylene Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Butylene Glycol

A clear, colorless liquid humectant that draws moisture to the skin. The humectancy of butylene glycol, owed to its two hydroxyl groups, is quite considerable, although not as powerful as glycerin, which contains three hydroxyl groups.

Citric Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Citric AcidA gently exfoliating AHA that helps to remove the top layer of dead skin cells. In comparison to other AHAs, citric acid has been shown to be one of the least effective. It is also very commonly used as a stabilizing and pH-controlling agent.
Sodium Hydroxide
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium Hydroxide

An ingredient that is able to bring the pH of a product up, thereby making it less harsh on the skin.

Hydrogen Peroxide
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Hydrogen Peroxide
Propylene Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Propylene GlycolA clear, thick, odorless liquid of synthetic origin. Its main function is to stabilize cosmetic products exposed to varying temperatures. It is also a moderately strong humectant with similar properties to glycerin.
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
MethylchloroisothiazolinonePartners in crime, methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone are preservatives that usually come as a package deal. These preservatives are effective but have reports of irritation and are now used mostly in wash-off products where the contact time is lower.
Methylisothiazolinone
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
MethylisothiazolinoneA synthetic preservative often paired with methylchloroisothiazolinone. It has been reported to cause some irritation, which is why it is mostly used in wash-off products.
o-Cymen-5-ol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
o-Cymen-5-olA preservative related to chemicals found in the herb thyme. It has its own unique smell but is very effective even at small amounts.