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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Biossance Squalane + Elderberry Jelly Cleanser versus The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser .

Last updated on January 25, 2024. Published on December 08, 2020

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Face Cleanser American Brand United States
Face Cleanser Canadian Brand Canada

Face Cleanser

Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).

Face Cleanser

Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).

Price

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Buy Squalane + Elderberry Jelly Cleanser

Starts at $19.60
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Buy Squalane Cleanser

Starts at $9.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
ph level
6

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Brightening (2)

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing (2)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Irritating (3)
Rosacea
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

Within a product, Caprylic Triglyceride can thicken the product and make spreadability easier by dissolving clumping compounds. An added benefit of Caprylic Triglyceride is its antioxidant properties.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Caprylic Triglyceride has not been found to be toxic for human use in concentrations under 50%.

While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.

Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Biossance Squalane + Elderberry Jelly Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 1.

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 7.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

Biossance Squalane + Elderberry Jelly Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 2.

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 4.

3
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Biossance Squalane + Elderberry Jelly Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 3.

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 2.

4
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.

Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.

Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.

Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).

In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.

The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.

Is squalane vegan? This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.

Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.

Read more about squalene with an "e".

Learn more about Squalane

Biossance Squalane + Elderberry Jelly Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 4.

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 1.

5
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning

Sucrose Laurate isn't fungal acne safe.

Biossance Squalane + Elderberry Jelly Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 7.

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 8.

6
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning

Sucrose Stearate is derived from stearic acid and sucrose (sugar). It is an emollient and emulsifier.

As an emulsifier, it prevents oils and water from separating in a product. This property also makes it a surfactant and therefore a cleansing agent.

Biossance Squalane + Elderberry Jelly Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 8.

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 5.

7
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Biossance Squalane + Elderberry Jelly Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 21.

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 19.

8
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol

Biossance Squalane + Elderberry Jelly Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 23.

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 15.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

42% are loved or liked
17% have mixed ratings
17% are disliked or very disliked
25% have no rating yet
30% are loved or liked
20% have mixed ratings
25% are disliked or very disliked
25% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Biossance Squalane + Elderberry Jelly Cleanser 24 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
Brendon3's avatar

Brendon3

11 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

This is my favorite cleanser I've ever used. Sadly I hear it's been discontinuted

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser 20 ingredients

4.4 /5
from 18 ratings
Great Value (3) No Scent (3) Works Well (3) Light (1) Irritating (1) Hydrating (1)
gemmajaws's avatar

gemmajaws

2 years ago · Dry Skin
Review

Meh
It looks, smells, and feels like you are spreading Elmer’s glue all over your face although it does seem to work as a gentle cleanser. ...

Meh
It looks, smells, and feels like you are spreading Elmer’s glue all over your face although it does seem to work as a gentle cleanser. Packaging is good, simplicity of ingredients is nice, as is the price. I've not repurchased it though.

CustardBunny's avatar

CustardBunny

8 months ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

Godsend for my acne
I previously had a different routine and didnt expect much from this brand as its cheap, but oh my god my acne cleared so much...

Godsend for my acne
I previously had a different routine and didnt expect much from this brand as its cheap, but oh my god my acne cleared so much from just a month of this set. Amazing.

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