Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant — Efficacy 3.9/5.0, Safety 4.5/5.0 | DemythSkin
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[ DemythSkin Verdict ]
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Dermalogica

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

ExfoliantBrightening
Efficacy
Solid
3.9 / 5.0
Safety
Safe
4.5 / 5.0
System Verdict
Gentle daily enzyme exfoliant with solid brightening actives, but low BHA concentration and essential oils drag down efficacy for anything beyond mild polishing. Efficacy score of 3.9 reflects effective rice enzymes and Salicylic Acid in powder-activated format ideal for daily use without over-exfoliation, but deducts for undisclosed low Salicylic Acid levels (likely <1% for gentleness), no pH optimization data, and basic surfactant base lacking penetration enhancers; safety at 4.6 penalizes Tea Tree Oil and Grapefruit Oil for potential irritation in sensitive skins despite soothing oatmeal.
Active Ingredients Detected
S Tier: Gold StandardsHigh Clinical Proof | Skin-Transformative
Salicylic Acid
A Tier: Good BasicsProven Results
Colloidal OatmealAllantoin
B Tier: Supporting IngredientsPromising Ingredients
Papain
C Tier: Marketing IdolsHype | Limited or Weak Data
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root ExtractOryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract
D Tier: Potential IrritantsBe Cautious
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil
What Each Ingredient Does
Salicylic Acid
Exfoliant, anti-acne, unclogs pores
Papain
Enzyme exfoliant, dissolves dead cells
Colloidal Oatmeal
Soothing, antioxidant, calms irritation
Allantoin
Soothing, promotes healing
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
Skin brightening, evens tone
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil
Anti-acne, antimicrobial
Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract
Abrasive scrub, brightening phytic acid
Full Ingredient List (INCI)

Microcrystalline Cellulose, Magnesium Oxide, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Colloidal Oatmeal, Disodium Lauryl Succinate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Starch, Allantoin, Papain, Salicylic Acid, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Zinc Gluconate, Poppy Seed Powder, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Lauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Copolymer, Maltodextrin, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene, Citric Acid[1][5]

Frequently Asked

Is Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant worth it?

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant scores 3.9 out of 5.0 for efficacy (Solid) and 4.5 out of 5.0 for safety (Safe) on DemythSkin's independent ingredient analysis. Gentle daily enzyme exfoliant with solid brightening actives, but low BHA concentration and essential oils drag down efficacy for anything beyond mild polishing. Efficacy score of 3.9 reflects effective rice enzymes and

What are the key active ingredients in Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant?

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant contains these gold-standard actives with strong clinical evidence: Salicylic Acid.

Does Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant contain fragrance or known irritants?

DemythSkin flags these ingredients in Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant as potential irritants: Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil.

How is Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant scored?

DemythSkin grades every product on two independent axes: efficacy (whether the ingredients have clinical evidence of working) and safety (irritation and sensitisation risk). Ingredients are classified S through D against a database of over 3,000 compounds. No brand pays for a score.

Analyze on DemythSkin →

Analysis last updated: 2026-04-21. DemythSkin is an independent ingredient analyzer. Scores are computed by a deterministic rubric from published clinical evidence — no brand pays for a score.