Clear Start Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash
The Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash is a cleanser. Our analysis of its 19 ingredients (14 low-risk) rates it Excellent (93/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone skin.
The Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash is a cleanser. Our analysis of its 19 ingredients (14 low-risk) rates it Excellent (93/100). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
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Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
(Antioxidant, Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Perfuming) |
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Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
(Hair Conditioning, Sufactant, Foam Boosting, Hydrotrope, Skin Conditioning) |
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Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning) |
Bad for Sensitive Skin
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Spiraea Ulmaria Extract
(Astringent, Skin Conditioning, Tonic) |
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Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
(Cleansing, Surfactant) |
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Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
(Viscosity Controlling) |
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Ethylhexylglycerin
(Deodorant, Skin Conditioning) |
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Oleanolic Acid
(Skin Conditioning) |
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Butylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscositydecreasing Agent, Humectant, Masking, Viscosity Controlling) |
Good for Dry Skin
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Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil
(Antioxidant, Fragrance, Perfuming) |
Bad for Sensitive Skin
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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
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Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil
(Skin Conditioning) |
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Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
(Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent, Emollient, Humectant, Masking, Oral Care Agent, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Tonic, Uv Absorber) |
Good for Oily Skin
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Sodium Hydroxide
(Denaturant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent) |
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Polysorbate 20
(Emulsifying, Surfactant) |
Fungal Acne Trigger
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Cocamidopropyl Betaine
(Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Sufactant, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Phenoxyethanol
(Fragrance, Preservative) |
Paraben
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Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract
(Skin Conditioning) |
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Porphyra Umbilicalis Extract
(Skin Conditioning) |
No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.
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
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
1 review restored from our original community.
A bit pricer than drugstore but to me its oh so worth it. My acne is better and my skin clearer. I love this product so much, really got for teen acne. I 100% recommend it if you are willing to invest in your skin this is the way to go. (Even better if you switch to the whole entire range) I honestly swear by this face wash now, just wish the packaging wasn't so flimsy. Community Collections with "Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash" Skincare 28 products skintic
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