Medik8 Pore Cleanse Gel™ Intense vs The Derma Co 1% Kojic Acid Face Wash with Niacinamide & Alpha Arbutin For Dark Spots & Pigmentation

Medik8

The Derma Co

A face wash built around AHA and Mandelic acid, for smoothing and exfoliation.

A face wash built around Niacinamide, for hydration and barrier repair.

Face wash

23 ingredients

28 ingredients

Brand price

GBP 25.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

INR 329.00 · checked 28 Sept 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand country not recorded

Brand from India

At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free, EU-allergen-free and Pore-clogger-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

AHA3
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid
BHA1
Beta hydroxy acid — oil-soluble, so it works inside the pore.
Salicylic Acid
Lactic acid1
An AHA that also acts as a humectant.
Lactic Acid
Mandelic acid1
A large-molecule AHA — slower, and gentler.
Mandelic Acid

Mineral sunscreen1
Uses zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to absorb and scatter UV rays.
Titanium Dioxide
Sunscreen1
Any ingredient acting as a UV filter.
Titanium Dioxide
Alpha arbutin1
A gentler glycosylated relative of hydroquinone.
Alpha-Arbutin
Niacinamide1
Vitamin B3 — supports the barrier and evens tone.
Niacinamide

Hydrating2
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Glycerin, Lactic Acid
Barrier Repair2
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Glycerin
Smoothing4
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Salicylic Acid
Brightening1
Restores radiance to dull, tired skin.
Lactic Acid

Hydrating8
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Anhydroxylitol, Glucose, Glycerin, Glyceryl Glucoside, Propylene Glycol, Sodium PCA, Stearic Acid, Xylitol
Barrier Repair8
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycol Distearate, Kojic Dipalmitate, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Xylitol
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Niacinamide
Smoothing4
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Glyceryl Stearate, Glycol Distearate, Kojic Dipalmitate, Niacinamide

May Trigger Acne3
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Stearic Acid
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis7
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycol Distearate, Kojic Dipalmitate, Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Stearic Acid
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Stearic Acid

Show highlights for:

Aqua (in both products)
Solvent
0 / —
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
Cleansing
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
0 / —
- AHA
- Mandelic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Dark Spots
- Exfoliating
- Smoothing
Citric Acid
Buffering
0 / —
- AHA
- Exfoliating
- Smoothing
Isopentyldiol
Solvent
0-1 / —
Maltodextrin
Skin Conditioning
0-1 / —
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering
0 / —

Myristic Acid
Cleansing
3 / 0
- Fatty acids (stearic, oleic, lauric)
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Aqua (in both products)
Solvent
0 / —
Potassium Hydroxide
Buffering
0-1 / —
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
0 / 0
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
2-3 / 0
- Fatty acids (stearic, oleic, lauric)
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
4 / 1
- Fatty acids (stearic, oleic, lauric)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Aqua
Solvent
Water
Learn more about Aqua →
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →
Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →
Disodium EDTA
Chelating, Viscosity Controlling
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
Learn more about Disodium EDTA →