Acne Defense Foaming Cleanser

Merle Norman

Where to buy Possibly in stock

About this product

The Merle Norman Acne Defense Foaming Cleanser is a cleanser. Our analysis of its 43 ingredients (24 low-risk) rates it Excellent (97/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone and dry skin.

Vegan-friendly Reef-safe

Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.

At a glance

Type
Cleansers
Ingredients
43
Low-risk
24
Fragrance
Fragrance-free
Origin
United States

The evidence

Quick Product Notes

Paraben-Free Sulfate-Free Alcohol-Free Silicone-Free EU Allergen-Free Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Safe

PH Level

(Know the PH? Submit it here! )

N/A - No submissions yet

Notable Effects & Ingredients

No Notable Effects & Ingredients

Ingredients Related to Skin Types

Good   Bad — tap a skin type to see which ingredients · estimated from ingredient functions
Dry Skin 7/5
Good for dry skin
Glucose Ethoxydiglycol Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Butylene Glycol Glycerin Propylene Glycol Lactic Acid
Caution for dry skin
Decyl Glucoside Xanthan Gum Glycerin Salicylic Acid Balanites Aegyptiaca Fruit Extract
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin 1/0
Good for oily/acne-prone skin
Salicylic Acid
Sensitive Skin 5/10
Good for sensitive skin
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract Ascorbyl Palmitate Glycerin Tocopheryl Acetate Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Caution for sensitive skin
Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract Ascorbyl Palmitate Ethoxydiglycol Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Butylene Glycol Glycerin Propylene Glycol Salicylic Acid Lactic Acid Hibiscus Abelmoschus Seed Extract

Ingredients list

43 total
Lower hazard (1) Higher hazard (4)
All43 Skin Conditioning40 Fragrance12 Humectant9 Perfuming8 Hair Conditioning7 Viscosity Controlling6 Solvent6 Foam Boosting5
EWG CIR Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions Notes
4
B
Salicylic Acid
(Antiacne Agent, Antidandruff Agent, Corn/Callus/Wart Remover, Denaturant, Exfoliant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Keratolytic, Masking, Preservative)
Good for Oily Skin
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
1
Water
(Solvent)
4
B
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
(Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Sufactant, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
1
B
Decyl Glucoside
(Cleansing, Emulsion Stabilising, Surfactant)
2
A
Glycerin
(Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care Agent, Oral Health Care Drug, Skin Protecting, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Perfuming, Solvent)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
A
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
(Hair Conditioning, Sufactant, Foam Boosting, Hydrotrope, Skin Conditioning)
1
Acacia Concinna Fruit Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
B
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
(Skin Conditioning)
Good for Sensitive Skin
Good for Sensitive Skin
1
Gypsophila Paniculata Root Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
(Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Emollient)
1
Sea Whip Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA FLOWER EXTRACT
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)
1
Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract
(Perfuming, Tonic)
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
(Flavouring, Fragrance, Oral Care, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning)
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
(Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling)
Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
(Astringent, Fragrance, Oral Care, Tonic)
Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
Hibiscus Abelmoschus Seed Extract
(Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning)
Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
1
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
(Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Smoothing)
1
Hedychium Spicatum Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract
(Fragrance, Moisturising, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Soothing)
1
Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Ascorbyl Palmitate
(Antioxidant, Masking)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
Retinyl Palmitate
(Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Miscellaneous)
3
Tocopheryl Acetate
(Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning)
Bad for Oily Skin
Bad for Oily Skin
1
Cocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
(Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning)
3
PEG-9 Dimethicone
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Phospholipids
(Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Glucose
(Flavoring Agent, Humectant, Skin Conditioning Agent Miscellaneous)
4
B
Lactic Acid
(Exfoliant, Fragrance, Humectant, Ph Adjuster, Skin Conditioning Agent Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Buffering Agent)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
1
A
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
(Emollient, Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Solvent)
1
A
Panthenol
(Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
Balanites Aegyptiaca Fruit Extract
(Foam Boosting, Surfactant)
Bisabolol
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Soothing)
1
A
Ethoxydiglycol
(Fragrance, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Humectant, Perfuming)
3
B
Propylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioningagent Miscellaneous, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
1
A
Butylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscositydecreasing Agent, Humectant, Masking, Viscosity Controlling)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
1
A
Xanthan Gum
(Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant Emulsifying Agent, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Disodium EDTA
(Chelating Agent, Viscosity Controlling)

My Ingredient Notes

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Key ingredients

Salicylic Acid
Exfoliant, Skin Conditioning
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant, Skin Protecting
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
Skin Conditioning
Acacia Concinna Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning

Benefits

Good for dry skin
Good for oily/acne-prone skin

Concerns

Not fungal acne (malassezia) safe
May not suit sensitive skin

Ingredients explained

Water
Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Solvent
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Antistatic agent, Hair conditioning
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR B Antistatic agentHair conditioningSkin conditioningSufactantFoam boostingViscosity increasing agentViscosity controlling
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing, Emulsion stabilising
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR B CleansingEmulsion stabilisingSurfactant
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
Hair conditioning, Sufactant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Hair conditioningSufactantFoam boostingHydrotropeSkin conditioning
Acacia Concinna Fruit Extract
Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Skin conditioning
Gypsophila Paniculata Root Extract
Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Skin conditioning
Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A Skin conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A FragranceSkin conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin conditioning, Skin conditioning emollient
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A Skin conditioningSkin conditioning emollient
Sea Whip Extract
Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Skin conditioning
CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA FLOWER EXTRACT
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A FragranceSkin conditioning
Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract
Perfuming, Tonic
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 PerfumingTonic
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Flavouring, Fragrance
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A FlavouringFragranceOral carePerfumingSkin conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Binding, Emulsion stabilising
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A BindingEmulsion stabilisingPerfumingSkin conditioningViscosity controlling
Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
Astringent, Fragrance
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A AstringentFragranceOral careTonic
+ 19 more — see the full ingredients list above
Salicylic Acid
Antiacne agent, Antidandruff agent
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR B Antiacne agentAntidandruff agentCorn/callus/wart removerDenaturantExfoliantFragranceHair conditioningSkin conditioningKeratolyticMaskingPreservative Good for Oily SkinBad for Sensitive Skin
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A DenaturantFragranceHair conditioningHumectantOral care agentOral health care drugSkin protectingViscosity decreasing agentPerfumingSolvent Good for Dry SkinFungal-acne trigger
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A CIR B Skin conditioning Good for Sensitive Skin
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant, Masking
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A AntioxidantMasking Fungal-acne trigger
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant, Skin conditioning
Potentially comedogenic - can block poresRead moreShow less
EWG 3 AntioxidantSkin conditioning Bad for Oily Skin
Lactic Acid
Exfoliant, Fragrance
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR B ExfoliantFragranceHumectantPh adjusterSkin-conditioning agent -humectantSkin conditioningBuffering agent Bad for Sensitive Skin
Panthenol
Antistatic agent, Hair conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Antistatic agentHair conditioningSkin conditioning Good for Dry Skin
Propylene Glycol
Fragrance, Humectant
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR B FragranceHumectantSkin-conditioningagent - miscellaneousSolventViscosity decreasing agentSkin conditioningViscosity controlling Good for Dry Skin
Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceSkin conditioningSolventViscositydecreasing agentHumectantMaskingViscosity controlling Good for Dry Skin

How to use

How to use

  • 1 Where it fits: Use as the first step, on clean hands, before the rest of your routine.
  • 2 Morning & evening: Suitable for both AM and PM use.

General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.

Trust & honesty

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.

Often avoided
Retinoids (Vitamin A) (Retinyl Palmitate)

Topical retinoids (retinol, retinaldehyde, retinyl esters) are widely advised against in pregnancy as a precaution. The strongest evidence is for ORAL retinoids; topical absorption is low, but most clinicians err on the side of caution.

Use with caution
BHA (salicylic) (Salicylic Acid)

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.

Effective levels — general guide

The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.

Retinoids (Vitamin A) 0.01–1%

Most studied between 0.1% and 1%. Higher is not automatically better — irritation climbs with dose, so a well-formulated lower strength is often the sweet spot.

Retinyl Palmitate

Vitamin C (ascorbic) 5–20%

L-ascorbic acid is usually used at 5–20% (around 10–15% is common). Above ~20% adds little and tends to irritate more; it also needs a low pH to work.

Ascorbyl Palmitate

BHA (salicylic) 0.5–2%

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

AHA (acid exfoliant) 5–10% (OTC)

OTC leave-on AHAs are usually 5–10%. The effect also depends on pH and free-acid value, not the percentage alone.

Lactic 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.

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