dermalogica Dermal Clay Cleanser
dermalogica Dermalogica Dermal Clay Cleanser lists 34 ingredients on its label, 32 decoded. See what each one does, its irritancy and comedogenic tendency, and its status in national inventories.
Ingredients overview
Label order. Colour is our internal rating: green routine, yellow restricted or worth a look, red prohibited or high-risk, grey not yet decoded.
Ingredients are listed in label order; the order reflects the label only, not exact concentrations.
- Water
- Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
- Kaolin
- Disodium Cocoamphodipropionate
- Butylene Glycol
- Glyceryl Stearate
- Pentylene Glycol
- Sorbitan Oleate
- Illite
- Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
- Sodium Magnesium Silicate
- Malva Sylvestris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
- Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
- Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract
- Arnica Montana Flower Extract
- Parietaria Officinalis Extract
- Nasturtium Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract
- Arctium Lappa Root Extract
- Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
- Citrus Medica Limonum Fruit Extract
- Hedera Helix Leaf/Root Extract
- Saponaria Officinalis Leaf/ Root Extract
- Ascorbyl Palmitate
- Tocopherol
- Cetyl Alcohol
- Stearyl Alcohol
- Sorbitan Trioleate
- Menthol
- Xanthan Gum
- Citric Acid
- Disodium Edta
- Phenoxyethanol
- Ethylhexylglycerin
- Titanium Dioxide/Ci 77891
Highlights
Free of alcoholFree of parabensFree of siliconesFree of mineral oilFree of formaldehyde releasersContains essential oilsContains sulfatesContains fragrance
Formulation view Aqueous gel cleanser with kaolin and illite powders for adsorption, paired with amphoteric surfactants and soothing botanical extracts. Uses sodium magnesium silicate for thickening and mild preservatives. Factory perspective notes compatibility between dry powders and emulsifiers, plus pigment precipitation risk from numerous extracts, requiring process optimization for uniformity and color stability.
Key ingredients
- ANTIPLAQUE
- Water
- FRAGRANCE
- Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
- ABRASIVE
- Kaolin
- CLEANSING
- Disodium Cocoamphodipropionate
- HUMECTANT
- Butylene Glycol
- SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT
- Glyceryl Stearate
- SKIN CONDITIONING
- Pentylene Glycol
- SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING
- Sorbitan Oleate
Other ingredients
IlliteMelissa Officinalis Leaf ExtractSodium Magnesium SilicateMalva Sylvestris Flower/Leaf/Stem ExtractCucumis Sativus Fruit ExtractSambucus Nigra Flower ExtractArnica Montana Flower ExtractParietaria Officinalis ExtractNasturtium Officinale Flower/Leaf ExtractArctium Lappa Root ExtractSalvia Officinalis Leaf ExtractCitrus Medica Limonum Fruit ExtractHedera Helix Leaf/Root ExtractSaponaria Officinalis Leaf/ Root ExtractAscorbyl PalmitateTocopherolCetyl AlcoholStearyl AlcoholSorbitan TrioleateMentholXanthan GumCitric AcidDisodium EdtaPhenoxyethanolEthylhexylglycerinTitanium Dioxide/Ci 77891
Skim through
| Ingredient | What it does | Irr. · Com. | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | ANTIPLAQUE, SKIN CONDITIONING, SOLVENT | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil | FRAGRANCE, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 1 | Green |
| Kaolin | ABRASIVE, ABSORBENT, ANTICAKING, BULKING, COLORANT, OPACIFYING · 限制 IV/119 | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Disodium Cocoamphodipropionate | CLEANSING, SURFACTANT - FOAM BOOSTING, HAIR CONDITIONING, SURFACTANT - HYDROTROPE, SKIN CONDITIONING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING | 0 · – | Green |
| Butylene Glycol | HUMECTANT, FRAGRANCE, SKIN CONDITIONING, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Glyceryl Stearate | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Pentylene Glycol | SKIN CONDITIONING, SOLVENT | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Sorbitan Oleate | SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Illite | ABRASIVE, ABSORBENT, ANTICAKING, BULKING | 0 · – | Green |
| Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract | SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · – | Green |
| Sodium Magnesium Silicate | BINDING, BULKING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Malva Sylvestris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract | SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · – | Green |
| Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract | REFRESHING, SKIN CONDITIONING, SOOTHING, TONIC | — | Green |
| Arnica Montana Flower Extract | FRAGRANCE, SKIN CONDITIONING, PERFUMING | — | Green |
| Parietaria Officinalis Extract | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SOOTHING | 0 · – | Green |
| Nasturtium Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract | ANTI-SEBUM, SOOTHING, TONIC | 0 · – | Green |
| Arctium Lappa Root Extract | SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract | ANTI-SEBORRHEIC, CLEANSING, ORAL CARE, SKIN CONDITIONING, TONIC | 1 · – | Green |
| Citrus Medica Limonum Fruit Extract | FRAGRANCE, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Hedera Helix Leaf/Root Extract | Not decoded yet | — | — |
| Saponaria Officinalis Leaf/ Root Extract | Not decoded yet | — | — |
| Ascorbyl Palmitate | ANTIOXIDANT, FRAGRANCE | — | Green |
| Tocopherol | ANTIOXIDANT, FRAGRANCE, SKIN CONDITIONING - MISCELLANEOUS, SKIN CONDITIONING - OCCLUSIVE | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Cetyl Alcohol | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, EMULSION STABILISING, SURFACTANT - FOAM BOOSTING, FRAGRANCE, OPACIFYING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 1 · 1 | Green |
| Stearyl Alcohol | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, EMULSION STABILISING, SURFACTANT - FOAM BOOSTING, FRAGRANCE, OPACIFYING, REFATTING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 3 | Green |
| Sorbitan Trioleate | SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING | 0 · 3 | Green |
| Menthol | DENATURANT, FRAGRANCE, REFRESHING, SOOTHING · 限制 III/338 | 2 · 0 | Yellow |
| Xanthan Gum | BINDING, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, EMULSION STABILISING, GEL FORMING, SKIN CONDITIONING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Citric Acid | BUFFERING, CHELATING, FRAGRANCE | 1 · 0 | Green |
| Disodium Edta | CHELATING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Phenoxyethanol | ANTIMICROBIAL, PRESERVATIVE · 限制 V/29 | 1 · 0 | Yellow |
| Ethylhexylglycerin | DEODORANT, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Titanium Dioxide/Ci 77891 | COLORANT · 附录 IV · 限制 <empty>; as a constituent of other substances, or in mixtures, in concentrations equal to, or greater than 0.1% by weight; Shall not be placed on the market, or used, as substance or in mixtures in concentrations equal to ot greater than 0.1% by weight; Shall not be used as propellant in aerosols for any use. Aerosols dispenser containing the substance as propellant shall not be placed on the market | 0 · 0 | Green |
Ingredients explained
- Water
- Primary solvent and base; requires preservative system to prevent microbial growth
- Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
- Natural seed oil rich in linoleic acid; moisturizing, prone to oxidation, needs antioxidants
- Kaolin
- Kaolin absorbent and bulk for powders/masks; check for heavy metals and comply with EU colorant limits IV/119
- Disodium Cocoamphodipropionate
- Gentle amphoteric surfactant; strong foaming and cleansing, low irritation, suits sensitive formulations
- Butylene Glycol
- Polyol humectant and solvent at 1–5%; aids solubilization, light feel
- Glyceryl Stearate
- Emulsifier at 1-3%; may require acid to prevent saponification
- Pentylene Glycol
- Polyol humectant at 1-3%; low irritancy, suitable for sensitive skin
- Sorbitan Oleate
- Non-ionic emulsifier for oil-in-water systems; plant-derived, check oxidative stability
- Illite
- Mineral powder offering slip and coverage. Iron content may introduce slight color variation to the formula.
- Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
- Lemon balm extract for soothing; volatile oils, low allergy risk, light sensitive.
- Sodium Magnesium Silicate
- Sodium magnesium silicate as thickener and oil absorber; non-irritating, mind dust safety.
- Malva Sylvestris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
- Mallow extract for moisturizing and soothing conditioning. Contains mucilaginous polysaccharides, gentle and non-irritating; suitable for dry/sensitive skin.
- Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
- Botanical extract for conditioning; note extraction impact on active retention
- Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract
- Plant extract for soothing and toning; high levels of crude extracts may sensitize.
- Arnica Montana Flower Extract
- Arnica extract; plant soothing/perfume alternative; low conc, potential sensitizer, patch test advised
- Parietaria Officinalis Extract
- Parietaria extract for soothing and emollient conditioning. Plant-derived, well-tolerated at standard levels; no known severe compatibility issues.
- Nasturtium Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract
- Watercress extract for sebum control, soothing, and tonic effects. Plant-derived, safe at standard levels; suitable for oily skin conditioning.
- Arctium Lappa Root Extract
- Burdock root extract for skin conditioning; watch for raw material impurities.
- Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
- Herbal extract for seborrhea control, antibacterial action, and oral care; high levels may irritate sensitive skin.
- Citrus Medica Limonum Fruit Extract
- Citrus Medica Limonum fruit extract for scent and phenolics; contains photosensitizing furanocoumarins, use cautiously in daytime products.
- Hedera Helix Leaf/Root Extract
- Not decoded yet
- Saponaria Officinalis Leaf/ Root Extract
- Not decoded yet
- Ascorbyl Palmitate
- Ascorbyl palmitate, lipophilic Vit C ester, antioxidant; oxidizes, needs light/air protection.
- Tocopherol
- Natural antioxidant (vitamin E) at 0.1–1%; prone to oxidation, store protected from light
- Cetyl Alcohol
- Cetyl alcohol for emulsification/thickening; high concentration >10% may irritate.
- Stearyl Alcohol
- Stearic alcohol; fatty alcohol for emulsion thickening/structure, often blended with soaps, moderate comedogenicity.
- Sorbitan Trioleate
- W/O non-ionic emulsifier for oil-in-water systems; moderate comedogenic risk.
- Menthol
- Cooling and soothing agent at 0.5–2%; high levels may cause sensitivity or irritation, use caution around eyes and mucous membranes
- Xanthan Gum
- Natural thickener at 0.1–1%; provides gel texture, pH-stable, requires full hydration
- Citric Acid
- Buffer and chelator at 0.1–2%; adjusts pH, may irritate sensitive skin at low pH
- Disodium Edta
- Chelating agent at 0.05–0.5%; sequesters metal ions for stability, boosts preservative efficacy
- Phenoxyethanol
- Broad-spectrum preservative at ≤1%; may irritate sensitive eye areas, often paired with ethylhexylglycerin
- Ethylhexylglycerin
- Mild conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–1%; reduces preservative load, smooth feel
- Titanium Dioxide/Ci 77891
- Efficient physical UV filter; nano-forms have inhalation risk, strictly banned in aerosols; non-comedogenic
Source: full ingredient list published on the product label, collected 2026-09-18. Ratings are our internal reading, not a regulatory conclusion. · Product page
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