Skin science article
Paula's Choice Omega+ Complex Cleansing Balm Versus The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
Paula's Choice Omega+ Complex Cleansing Balm Versus The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser This oil-based 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
Paula's Choice Omega+ Complex Cleansing Balm Versus The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
This oil-based 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
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Diisooctyl Succinate
Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters
Trihydroxystearin
Glyceryl Stearate
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil
Tocopheryl Acetate
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Diisooctyl Succinate, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Trihydroxystearin, Glyceryl Stearate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate
Squalane
Water
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Glycerin
Sucrose Stearate
Ethyl Macadamiate
Sucrose Laurate
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
Sucrose Dilaurate
Sucrose Trilaurate
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Isoceteth-20
Sodium Polyacrylate
Tocopherol
Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Malic Acid
Ethylhexylglycerin
Chlorphenesin
Squalane, Water, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Sucrose Stearate, Ethyl Macadamiate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sucrose Laurate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Sucrose Dilaurate, Sucrose Trilaurate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Isoceteth-20, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopherol, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Malic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.