Skin science article
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Hyaluronic Marine Meltaway Cleanser Versus The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Hyaluronic Marine Meltaway Cleanser Versus The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm This mild cream cleanser is made to cleanse without leaving your skin tight or dry. This oil-based makeup remover is made to dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Hyaluronic Marine Meltaway Cleanser Versus The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm
This mild cream cleanser is made to cleanse without leaving your skin tight or dry.
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
Water
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
Butylene Glycol
Isododecane
Cetearyl Isononanoate
Glycerin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Saccharide Isomerate
Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract
Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Phytic Acid
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Citrus Grandis Peel Extract
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Triethyl Citrate
Lactic Acid
Copper PCA
Citric Acid
Sodium Citrate
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Sodium Hydroxide
Phenoxyethanol
Potassium Sorbate
Sodium Benzoate
Water, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Butylene Glycol, Isododecane, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Saccharide Isomerate, Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Phytic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Citrus Grandis Peel Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Triethyl Citrate, Lactic Acid, Copper PCA, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
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
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.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!