Explore Routine Login

Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm versus e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm .

Last updated on September 19, 2023. Published on October 03, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe makeup removers. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain ceramides and exfoliants

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin and sensitive skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances and oils

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

Makeup Remover Canadian Brand Canada
Makeup Remover American Brand United States

Makeup Remover

Makeup removers work to remove makeup from the skin.

Makeup Remover

Makeup removers work to remove makeup from the skin.

Price

Shop

Buy Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm

Starts at $8.99
Shop

Buy Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm

Starts at $11.00

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

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E
Exfoliators
Ceramides (3)

Benefits

Hydrating (6)
Redness Reducing (4)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Anti-Aging (4)
Scar Healing
Brightening

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Exfoliators
Ceramides (3)
Peptides (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (6)
Redness Reducing (4)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Anti-Aging (3)
Brightening

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Rosacea
Eczema
Join our community

Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.

Join SkinSort

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

Loading ingredients...

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: Abrasive
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer.

Polyethylene is also typically used within product formulations to help bind solid ingredients together and thicken oil-based ingredients. When added to balms and emulsions, it helps increase the melting point temperature.

CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm contains this as ingredient number 2.

e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm contains this as ingredient number 5.

2
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate comes from Isostearic Acid and glycerin.

It is an emollient, emulsifier, and gentle cleanser. As an emollient, it helps trap moisture to keep skin soft and hydrated. Emulsifiers help prevent ingredients from separating.

This ingredient is common in oil-based products. This is because it helps oil-ingredients be easily washed away without leaving a residue.

Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate may not be fungal-acne safe.

Learn more about Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate

CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm contains this as ingredient number 3.

e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm 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

CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm contains this as ingredient number 4.

e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm contains this as ingredient number 18.

4
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming
Community Rating: Disliked

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.

CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm contains this as ingredient number 8.

e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm contains this as ingredient number 20.

5
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Liked

Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate is the lauric acid sodium salt of lactyl lactate.

Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate is an emulsifier and surfactant.

Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. They do this by preventing ingredients from separating, such as oils and water which do not mix naturally. Surfactants reduce surface tension, making it easier to rinse pollutants off skin.

Due to its relation to lauric acid, it may provide antimicrobial benefits.

Learn more about Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate

CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm contains this as ingredient number 10.

e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm contains this as ingredient number 23.

6
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning, Stabilising
Community Rating: Liked

Cholesterol is a class of organic molecules called lipids. It helps hydrate your skin and is essential to having a healthy skin barrier.

Our skin naturally contains cholesterol in the outermost layer. Besides cholesterol, it also contains ceramides and fatty acids. Cholesterol makes up about 1/4 of your skin's outer layer and barrier. Your skin barrier is responsible for keeping allergens and microbes out. Having a healthy skin barrier is also responsible for keeping your skin firm and plump.

Our bodies use cholestrol to create vitamin D, steroid hormones, and more.

Learn more about Cholesterol

CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm contains this as ingredient number 11.

e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm contains this as ingredient number 22.

7
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm contains this as ingredient number 13.

e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm contains this as ingredient number 24.

8
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol

CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm contains this as ingredient number 15.

e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm contains this as ingredient number 26.

9
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Phytosphingosine is a phospholipid naturally found in our skin. It helps moisturize, soothe, and protect skin.

Phytosphingosine is already present in our skin. On our skin, it is a building block for ceramides.

Phytosphingosine tells our skin to increase its natural moisturizing factor (NMF). The NMF is responsible for hydration, a strong barrier, and plasticity. Our NMF decreases with age. Increasing NMF leads to more healthy and hydrated skin.

Studies show products formulated with NMF ingredients help strengthen our skin's barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier reduces irritation and increases hydration. Our skin barrier is responsible for having plump and firm skin. It also helps protect our skin against infection, allergies, and inflammation.

Phytosphingosine is also abundant in plants and fungi.

More ingredients that help boost collagen in skin:

Learn more about Phytosphingosine

CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm contains this as ingredient number 16.

e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm contains this as ingredient number 15.

10
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm contains this as ingredient number 17.

e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm contains this as ingredient number 21.

11
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.

As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.

Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.

The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.

Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polysorbate 20

CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm contains this as ingredient number 18.

e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm contains this as ingredient number 19.

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

41% are loved or liked
5% have mixed ratings
50% are disliked or very disliked
5% have no rating yet
38% are loved or liked
21% have mixed ratings
41% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

Loading routine usage...
Loading routine usage...

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm 22 ingredients

2.0 /5
from 1 rating

e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm 29 ingredients

4.3 /5
from 4 ratings
AsiaRhodes_98's avatar

AsiaRhodes_98

7 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

The way it removes 24 hr stay lipsticks is beautiful. Still not sure if there a safe way to use it for mascara though

NurseMeg's avatar

NurseMeg

1 month ago · Combination Skin
Review

It was fine but it didn’t really remove my makeup. Better products out there

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 9 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm.

See 9 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 12 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm.

See 12 alternatives
Loading similar comparisons...