Skin science article
Minimalist Aquaporin Booster 05% Cleanser Versus The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm
Minimalist Aquaporin Booster 05% Cleanser Versus The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm This mild gel 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
Minimalist Aquaporin Booster 05% Cleanser Versus The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm
This mild gel 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
Glycerin
Glyceryl Glucoside
Diglycerin
Methylpropanediol
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
Pentylene Glycol
Methyl Gluceth-20
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Coco-Glucoside
Glyceryl Oleate
Panthenol
Betaine
Sodium PCA
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Allantoin
Phenoxyethanol
Ethylhexylglycerin
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Lactic Acid
Water, Glycerin, Glyceryl Glucoside, Diglycerin, Methylpropanediol, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Pentylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Panthenol, Betaine, Sodium PCA, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Allantoin, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Lactic Acid
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!