Glycolic Acid + Lactic Acid Cleanser
The ADVANCED CLINICALS Glycolic Acid + Lactic Acid Cleanser is a cleanser. Our analysis of its 25 ingredients (16 low-risk) rates it Excellent (85/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone skin.
The ADVANCED CLINICALS Glycolic Acid + Lactic Acid Cleanser is a cleanser. Our analysis of its 25 ingredients (16 low-risk) rates it Excellent (85/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone skin.
Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.
The evidence
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Water
(Solvent) |
|
|
|
|
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
(Cleansing, Foaming, Surfactant) |
Sulfate
|
|
|
|
Glycerin
(Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care Agent, Oral Health Care Drug, Skin Protecting, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Perfuming, Solvent) |
Good for Dry Skin
Fungal Acne Trigger
|
|
|
|
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
(Cleansing, Surfactant) |
|
|
|
|
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
(Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Sufactant, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling) |
|
|
|
|
Lactic Acid
(Exfoliant, Fragrance, Humectant, Ph Adjuster, Skin Conditioning Agent Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Buffering Agent) |
Bad for Sensitive Skin
|
|
|
|
Glycolic Acid
(Exfoliant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent) |
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
|
|
|
|
Propanediol
(Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling) |
|
|
|
|
Decyl Glucoside
(Cleansing, Emulsion Stabilising, Surfactant) |
|
|
|
|
Acrylates Crosspolymer-4
(Emulsion Stabilising, Film Forming, Surfactant Cleansing, Viscosity Controlling) |
|
|
|
|
Sodium Chloride
(Bulking Agent, Masking, Oral Care Agent, Viscosity Controlling) |
|
|
|
|
Phenoxyethanol
(Fragrance, Preservative) |
Paraben
|
|
|
|
Mentha Piperita Oil
(Fragrance, Perfuming, Refreshing, Tonic) |
|
|
|
|
Sodium Hydroxide
(Denaturant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent) |
|
|
|
|
Polyquaternium-10
(Antistatic Agent, Film Forming, Hair Fixing) |
|
|
|
|
Caprylyl Glycol
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Humectant) |
|
|
|
|
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
(Perfuming, Skin Conditioning) |
Bad for Sensitive Skin
|
|
|
|
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
(Chelating Agent) |
|
|
|
|
Ethylhexylglycerin
(Deodorant, Skin Conditioning) |
|
|
|
|
Salicylic Acid
(Antiacne Agent, Antidandruff Agent, Corn/Callus/Wart Remover, Denaturant, Exfoliant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Keratolytic, Masking, Preservative) |
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
|
|
|
|
Hexylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Emulsifying, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant) |
|
|
|
|
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
(Antistatic Agent, Emulsifying, Hair Conditioning, Surfactant) |
|
|
|
|
Limonene
(Deodorant, Perfuming, Solvent) |
Allergens
|
|
|
|
Linalool
(Fragrance, Deodorant, Masking) |
Allergens
|
|
|
|
Citral
(Flavoring Agent, Fragrance, Masking) |
Allergens
|
No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.
EWG flags hazard, not real-world risk — ratings don't account for how much of an ingredient a product contains. Treat these as things to research, not verdicts. How we score →
How to use
General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.
Trust & honesty
Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.
Low-strength topical salicylic acid (BHA) is generally considered fine. Caution is usually reserved for high-strength leave-on products and salicylic peels.
This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy guidance varies and depends on concentration and your individual situation — always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist. How we flag this.
The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.
Salicylic acid is OTC-capped at 2%; 0.5–2% is the usual leave-on range. Much below that it acts more as a soothing agent than an exfoliant.
Salicylic Acid
OTC leave-on AHAs are usually 5–10%. The effect also depends on pH and free-acid value, not the percentage alone.
Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid
INCI lists don't disclose amounts, and we don't claim to know this product's levels — these are the ranges these ingredients are usually effective at, so you can tell a real formula from "fairy-dusting" a marketed active. How we estimate this.
From the community
Used this product? Rate it in 10 seconds
Alternatives