SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

Review

Results you may expect from using SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser:

SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating 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
75
Water
6
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
4
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
3
PEG/PPG-8/3 Diisostearate
2
Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil
1.5
Acrylates Copolymer
1.3
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
1
Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract
0.3
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract
0.3
Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract
0.3
Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract
0.3
Salicylic Acid
0.3
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
0.3
Panthenol
0.3
Bisabolol
0.3
Citric Acid
0.3
Glycerin
0.3
Ethylhexylglycerin
0.3
Sodium Hydroxide
0.3
Disodium EDTA
0.3
Potassium Sorbate
0.3
Phenoxyethanol
0.3
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil
0.3
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil
0.3
Mica
0.3
Tin Oxide
0.3
Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Function:
Origin:
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Function:
Origin:
PEG/PPG-8/3 Diisostearate
Function:
Origin:
Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil
Function:
Origin:
Acrylates Copolymer
Function:
Origin:
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
Function:
Origin:
Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract
Function:
Origin:
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract
Function:
Origin:
Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract
Function:
Origin:
Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract
Function:
Origin:
Salicylic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
Function:
Origin:
Panthenol
Function:
Origin:
Bisabolol
Function:
Origin:
Citric Acid
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Ethylhexylglycerin
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hydroxide
Function:
Origin:
Disodium EDTA
Function:
Origin:
Potassium Sorbate
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil
Function:
Origin:
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil
Function:
Origin:
Mica
Function:
Origin:
Tin Oxide
Function:
Origin:
Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)
Function:
Origin:

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %75
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Sodium C14-16 Olefin SulfonateAn anionic surfactant alternative to sulfates with an excellent foaming profile.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Est. %4
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.
PEG/PPG-8/3 Diisostearate
Est. %3
Function
Origin
PEG/PPG-8/3 DiisostearateDescription is coming soon
Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Hydrogenated Jojoba OilA potent occlusive moisturizing jojoba oil derivative.
Acrylates Copolymer
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Acrylates CopolymerA highly functional synthetic ingredient that forms a protective layer on the skin and reduces static buildup. It gives an emollient feel to the product, including a silky after-feel.
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf ExtractDerived from the berries and leaves of the bilberry plant, this powerful antioxidant, astringent, and refreshing extract is rich in anthocyanins, flavonoids, and tannins.
Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) ExtractAn antioxidant extract from sugarcane, the famous crop used to make sugar. It acts as a humectant and exfoliating agent – the little sugar crystals mechanically remove dead skin cells from the skin’s surface.
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit ExtractAn extract from the fruit of the sweet orange. It contains fragrant sweet orange essential oil, high amounts of antioxidant flavonoids (mainly hesperidin), and carotenoids – which give it the orange color.
Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit ExtractA fragrant extract from lemon peels that contains various antioxidant flavonoids, organic acids, and limonoids – which are currently under investigation as potential anti-wrinkle and anti-pigment compounds.
Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) ExtractAn antioxidant extract from sugar maple bark and sap – the same sweet sap used to make maple syrup. It has a faint vanilla smell and is used in skincare for its exfoliating properties. This is because of the small sugar crystals present in the extract.
Salicylic Acid
Est. %0.3
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.
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root ExtractAn extract from the licorice root. It contains a well-researched anti-inflammatory compound called glycyrrhizin that can reduce inflammation. Licorice root extract is also used for its powerful antioxidant effects and ability to treat pigmentation.
Panthenol
Est. %0.3
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.
Bisabolol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
BisabololAn anti-inflammatory compound found naturally in German chamomile essential oil. It has a pleasant, sweet, and floral scent. Bisabolol also has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties but can cause an allergic reaction in more sensitive individuals.
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.
Glycerin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Glycerin

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

Ethylhexylglycerin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
EthylhexylglycerinA preservative booster derived from glycerin. It is commonly paired with other preservatives to improve their efficacy. Ethylhexylglycerin is also a humectant due to its chemical base of glycerin.
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.

Disodium EDTA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Disodium EDTAA synthetic chelator that helps to maintain the look and smell of a product by 'locking up' troublesome metal ions.
Potassium Sorbate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Potassium SorbateA preservative widely used in food and personal care products, available from natural sources or synthetically produced. Potassium sorbate works by inhibiting the growth of yeasts, molds, and some bacteria.
Phenoxyethanol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PhenoxyethanolThe most frequently used preservative in skincare. It is a clear, oil-like liquid synthetic substance that protects products from harmful bacteria and yeast, whilst still leaving skin microflora unharmed. It is confirmed by research to be harmless.
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) OilAn essential oil derived from common, or true, lavender. It is used in skincare for its lovely, calming scent. Like all essential oils, however, it may cause a contact skin allergy in more sensitive individuals.
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel OilAn essential oil derived from the peels of the sweet orange. It is commonly used as a fragrance because of its pleasant, citrusy scent. The main constituent of the essential oil is limonene (up to 96%).
Mica
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
MicaA mineral powder made up of silicates with several functions (the main one being as a colorant). It has a shimmery appearance, making it highly desirable in certain cosmetic products. Mica also helps the product to apply more smoothly.
Tin Oxide
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Tin OxideA multi-functional mineral that increases the physical space a product takes up, increases the viscosity of liquid products, and, when used as an opacifying agent, makes a transparent or translucent product become opaque or solid in color.
Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)One of two the most commonly used mineral sunscreens. It can absorb UV light, including UVB – which causes burning, tanning, and even skin cancer. Also used as a colorant, titanium dioxide gives a product a bright white color.