1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Garnier
Garnier Pure Active Salicylic Purifying Gentle cleanser
face cleanser
Garnier
face cleanser
Added Last edited
Fit by skin type
General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.
See how this fits your skin
Take the skin test and I'll show you how suitable this product is for you.
Take the skin testThis gentle cleanser, enriched with Salicylic Acid + Niacinamide + Clay + Ceramides, purifies your skin while being kind to it. This fragrance-free formula deeply cleanses to remove impurities, visibly minimise pores, improves skin texture, and protect your skin's natural barrier.
Garnier Pure Active Salicylic Purifying Gentle cleanser is a watery-light cleanser from Garnier. The formula is built mainly around hydration. The ingredient list runs to 26 ingredients, each broken down in full below.
By its ingredient list the formula reads as very light — essentially a water-and-humectant base with little emollient weight. With almost no emollient load it should absorb quickly and finish close to matte. Hydration is handled by Glycerin, Coco-betaine and Water, humectants that pull water into the upper layers of skin rather than sealing it there.
Hydration: High. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Glycerin, Coco-betaine, Water and Glyceryl Stearate.
On richness alone it suits Combination (oily) and Oily skin best, and is the least natural fit for Dry and Combination (dry) skin. Nothing in the list is flagged as a common irritant, which is a reasonable starting point for reactive skin — though a patch test is still the only way to know.
The formula contributes little or nothing on antioxidant protection and firmness signalling. That is not a fault — most products are not meant to do everything — but if one of those is your priority, this is not the product that will address it.
Reading the full list, the formula is fragrance-free, essential-oil-free, no drying alcohol, paraben-free, silicone-free and microplastic-free. Those claims come from the ingredient list itself, not from the packaging.
It can be used morning and evening. In a routine it goes first step. Use on damp skin and rinse thoroughly. Follow with a toner or essence while skin is still slightly damp.
This summary is generated from the product's ingredient list. It is not a review, it is not the brand's own marketing claims, and it does not replace advice from a dermatologist.
Drawn purely from the ingredient list
Scored on how rich or light the formula reads from its INCI order.
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
Based on the curated benefits documented for this product's ingredients.
Attracts and locks in moisture to keep skin plump and dewy
Boosts collagen and cell turnover to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Tightens and refines the look of enlarged pores
Targets breakouts by reducing bacteria and unclogging pores
Helps unclog pores and reduce blackheads for clearer skin
Regulates sebum production to reduce shine and greasiness
Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation for sensitive skin
None of the ingredients in this formula are associated with these benefits. This is not unusual, as most products are designed to target a limited number of concerns.
The actives, UV filters and benefit-carrying ingredients in this formula, in the order they are listed.
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a gentle skincare active that repairs the skin barrier, calms redness, controls oil and evens tone at 2–5%. Official IUPAC name: **3-Pyridinecarboxamide**
8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Stearic acid, monoester with glycerol
10th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Oxirane, methyl-, polymer with oxirane, hexadecyl ether
16th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Naturally occurring substances, kaolin (CI 77004)
18th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Propane-1,2-diol
20th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid
24th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Salicylic acid
Each axis is scored from the ingredients present and how high up the list they sit.
Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin
Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity
Ingredients that mop up free radicals from UV and pollution
Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine
Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks
Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity
Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover
Peptides and growth factors that signal for collagen support
"Active" here means an ingredient carrying a recorded active type or a recognised UV filter.
Solvents, emollients, texture agents and preservatives — the formula that carries the actives.
Read from the full ingredient list. A brand's own claim may differ.
Judged by the same curated rules our routine checker uses. It reads the ingredients, not the label.
Best kept to separate routines — one in the morning, one at night, or on alternate days.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
This product is the "Cleanse" step.
Flags to check, not verdicts. None of this is medical advice — if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or treating a skin condition, ask a doctor.
Most ingredients do more than one job, so these counts add up to more than the 26 ingredients on the label.
Lifts oil and dirt, or holds oil and water together
Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula
Keeps the product free of microbial growth
Changes how skin behaves rather than how it feels
Softens and smooths by filling gaps between skin cells
Sets the acidity the formula needs to work
Dissolves and carries everything else
Draws water into the upper layers of skin
Binds trace metals that would otherwise spoil the formula
Loosens or dissolves dead surface cells
Forms a film that slows water loss
Every ingredient on the label, in order, with what it does and roughly how much of it is likely to be there.
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate is the sodium salt of the coconut fatty acid amide of N-methyltaurine. It conforms generally to the formula
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Betaines, coco alkyldimethyl
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Fatty acids, coco, 2-sulfoethyl esters, sodium salts
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Sodium chloride
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a gentle skincare active that repairs the skin barrier, calms redness, controls oil and evens tone at 2–5%. Official IUPAC name: **3-Pyridinecarboxamide**
8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Stearic acid, monoester with glycerol
9th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-(1-oxooctadecyl)-.omega.-hydroxy- (100 mol EO average molar ratio)
10th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Oxirane, methyl-, polymer with oxirane, hexadecyl ether
11th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-(2-(1-oxo-9-(Z)-octadecenyl)oxy-1-methylethyl)-.omega.-hydroxy- (55 mol EO average molar ratio)
12th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Trisodium citrate
13th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Sulfated Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate is the product of the sulfation of Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate.
14th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sodium hydroxide
15th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-[(2-Nitrophenyl)amino]ethanol
16th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Naturally occurring substances, kaolin (CI 77004)
17th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Fatty acids, coco
18th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Propane-1,2-diol
19th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Octane-1,2-diol
20th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid
21st on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Acrylic acid/acrylamide/methacrylamidopropyltrimonium chloride copolymer
22nd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
C10-30 alkyl propenoate, polymer with propenoic acid, butenoic acidand/or alkyl propenoates, product with propenyl sucrose ether or propenyl 2,2-dihydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol
23rd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sodium benzoate
24th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Salicylic acid
25th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-Phenoxyethanol
26th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,2-Propanediol, 3-(4-chlorophenoxy)-
Products in the same category that share this formula's distinguishing ingredients.
APLB
Shares 6 key ingredients with Garnier Pure Active Salicylic Purifying Gentle cleanser: Water, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Citric Acid
CeraVe
Shares 6 key ingredients with Garnier Pure Active Salicylic Purifying Gentle cleanser: Water, Glycerin, Ppg-5-ceteth-20, Glyceryl Stearate, Salicylic Acid
Arencia
Shares 5 key ingredients with Garnier Pure Active Salicylic Purifying Gentle cleanser: Glycerin, Water, Glyceryl Stearate, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide
SOME BY MI
Shares 4 key ingredients with Garnier Pure Active Salicylic Purifying Gentle cleanser: Water, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid
CeraVe
Shares 4 key ingredients with Garnier Pure Active Salicylic Purifying Gentle cleanser: Water, Glycerin, Kaolin, Niacinamide
CeraVe
Shares 4 key ingredients with Garnier Pure Active Salicylic Purifying Gentle cleanser: Water, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Niacinamide
WATER, GLYCERIN, SODIUM METHYL COCOYL TAURATE, COCO-BETAINE, SODIUM COCOYL ISETHIONATE, SODIUM CHLORIDE, NIACINAMIDE, GLYCERYL STEARATE, PEG-100 STEARATE, PPG-5-CETETH-20, PEG-55 PROPYLENE GLYCOL OLEATE, SODIUM CITRATE, SULFATED SODIUM CHONDROITIN SULFATE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, HC YELLOW NO. 2, KAOLIN, COCONUT ACID, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, CITRIC ACID, POLYQUATERNIUM-53, ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, SODIUM BENZOATE, SALICYLIC ACID, PHENOXYETHANOL, CHLORPHENESIN.
NIACINAMIDE, CITRIC ACID, SALICYLIC ACID.
Apply twice daily on wet skin. Gently massage. Rinse off.
Judged on how rich the formula reads from its ingredient list, it suits Combination (oily), Oily skin best. It is the least natural fit for Dry, Combination (dry) skin.
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
3 ingredients could feed malassezia: Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Peg-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate. That describes the yeast's food supply, not a prediction that they will cause a breakout.
It contains Salicylic Acid, which are usually reviewed with a doctor during pregnancy. Ask your doctor or midwife before using it.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is fragrance-free.
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is no drying alcohol.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is silicone-free.
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is essential-oil-free.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is paraben-free.
It layers well with Azelaic acid, Copper peptides, Bakuchiol, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, Ceramides. Take more care combining it with Retinoids (retinol, retinal), Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), AHAs (glycolic, lactic), BHA (salicylic acid), PHAs (gluconolactone), Benzoyl peroxide — use them in separate routines or on alternate days.
Use it morning and evening, first step.
It lists 26 ingredients, of which 3 are recorded as actives.
Garnier.
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