CosMedix Benefit Clean is one of my favorite cleansers. It isn’t my primary cleanser because the pH is a little high (although still acidic) and I’m concerned about the essential oils it contains.

pH Level: 5.75

Mia’s review: Cosmedix  Benefit Clean is the cleanser I go back to when I try a new cleanser and it causes me to break out. It seems to clear up my skin magically in a day or two. I don’t use this exclusively because I’ve tested the pH several times and sometimes it looks more like a 6.0 to me than a 5.75. It does feel like it gently cleans my skin and doesn’t cause me any dryness.

Near the end of the ingredients list is a couple essential oils. I’ve read that they can be irritating to skin. And that even if you can’t see/feel the irritation, it is still happening and causing your skin to age. Because I read this on random websites, I asked my dermatologist (via email) if this is true. He didn’t deny or confirm it. He simply told me to stop using it if I felt my skin was irritated. So I’m not sure if I should discontinue using this or not… for now I use if I experience a breakout but Free & Clear is still my daily cleanser.

Ingredients*: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxypropylsulfonate Laurylglucoside Crosspolymer, Sodium Coco-Glucoside Tartrate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Sodium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Amaranth Protein, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Sodium Hydroxypropylsulfonate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Glucuronolactone (D), Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Oil, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate

*The ingredients list may or may not be accurate depending on the source of the list and manufacturer updates/changes.