Skin science article
Paula's Choice Perfect Cleansing Oil Versus Dermalogica Precleanse Cleansing Oil
Paula's Choice Perfect Cleansing Oil Versus Dermalogica Precleanse Cleansing Oil 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 Caprylic/Capric Tr
Paula's Choice Perfect Cleansing Oil Versus Dermalogica Precleanse Cleansing Oil
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
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Mipa-Laureth Sulfate
Laureth-4
Laureth-7
Triethylhexanoin
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Vitis Vinifera
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables
Tocopherol
Phenoxyethanol
Ethylhexylglycerin
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Mipa-Laureth Sulfate, Laureth-4, Laureth-7, Triethylhexanoin, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
PEG-40 Sorbitan Peroleate
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Tocopheryl Acetate
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Cymbopogon Citratus Leaf Oil
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
Citral
Limonene
Linalool
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-40 Sorbitan Peroleate, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Cymbopogon Citratus Leaf Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Citral, Limonene, Linalool
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%.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.