Skin science article
Clinique Superbalm Versus The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm
Clinique Superbalm Versus The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm This barrier-repair lip moisturizer is formulated around Petrolatum and Cholesterol to strengthen the lip barrier and hydrate lips. This oil-based makeup remover is made to dissolve makeup, sunscreen,
Clinique Superbalm Versus The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm
This barrier-repair lip moisturizer is formulated around Petrolatum and Cholesterol to strengthen the lip barrier and hydrate lips.
This oil-based makeup remover is made to dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and daily buildup.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Petrolatum
Polybutene
Polydecene
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Octyldodecanol
Cera Microcristallina
Tocopheryl Acetate
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Cholesterol
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Squalane
Linoleic Acid
Retinyl Palmitate
Salvia Sclarea Extract
Glycine Soja Oil
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Betula Alba Bark Extract
Hexylene Glycol
Potassium Sulfate
Caprylyl Glycol
Phenoxyethanol
CI 15850
CI 19140
Petrolatum, Polybutene, Polydecene, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Octyldodecanol, Cera Microcristallina, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Cholesterol, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Squalane, Linoleic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Hexylene Glycol, Potassium Sulfate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, CI 15850, CI 19140
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Cetearyl Alcohol
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil
Candelilla Cera
Silica
Sorbitan Stearate
Tribehenin
PEG-60 Almond Glycerides
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
Water
Benzyl Alcohol
Lecithin
1,2-Hexanediol
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Tocopherol
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Candelilla Cera, Silica, Sorbitan Stearate, Tribehenin, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Water, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
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Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.