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Ulta Cleansing Balm Versus Paula's Choice Perfect Cleansing Oil

Ulta Cleansing Balm Versus Paula's Choice Perfect 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 PEG-20

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

Ulta Cleansing Balm Versus Paula's Choice Perfect 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

PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate

Trihydroxystearin

Glyceryl Stearate

Cetyl Alcohol

Laureth-23

Persea Gratissima Oil

Cocos Nucifera Oil

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Parfum

Tocopherol

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Trihydroxystearin, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Laureth-23, Persea Gratissima Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Parfum, Tocopherol

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

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

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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.

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%.

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.

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The reference edit

Ingredients, questions
& further reading.

Connected source records selected through this article’s public topic index.

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Formula cabinet

Ingredients & structured notes

Ingredient index

Ingredients Explained

  1. 01These ingredients are found in both products.
  2. 02Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
  3. 03Acetyl Glucosamine is an antioxidant and humectant. It is an amino acid sugar and is naturally found in our skin.
  4. 04The cool thing about this ingredient? It helps the skin produce hyaluronic acid and boost hydration. It also has antioxidant benefits to protect skin cells.
  5. 05When paired with niacinamide, Acetyl Glucosamine has been shown to be effective at reducing discoloration.
  6. 06Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
  7. 07Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
  8. 08Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
  9. 09It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
  10. 10Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
  11. 11This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
  12. 12Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
  13. 13Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
  14. 14Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
  15. 15Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
  16. 16Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
  17. 17Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
  18. 18The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure …
  19. 19Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
  20. 20Niacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
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