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Updated on March 27, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan and reef safe . They have a total of 0 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, brightening skin and scar healing

Free From

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

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

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Makeup Remover
American Brand United States
The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Ethylhexyl Palmitate Emollient
2-3 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon
3 Concerns

Ethylhexyl Palmitate is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid. It is a fatty acid ester.

2-3 Com. / 0 Irr.
Very Disliked Full details ->
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil Masking, Skin Conditioning
0-2 / 0 Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon
OilOil Icon Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Carthamus tinctorius seed oil comes from safflower, one of humanity's oldest crops.

0-2 Com. / 0 Irr.
Disliked Full details ->
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Masking, Skin Conditioning

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

Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate is a surfactant and emulsifier. It is part of the PEG Sorbitan/Sorbitol Fatty Acid Esters group. As an emulsifier, it helps ingredients such as oil and water mix together. This allows the dirt and oils in your skin to be washed away.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Polyethylene Abrasive
Exfoliant Icon
ExfoliantExfoliant Icon

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

Very Disliked Full details ->
Peg-5 Glyceryl Triisostearate Emollient, Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Peg-5 Glyceryl Triisostearate isn't fungal acne safe.

Unknown Full details ->
Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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.

Tocopherol Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay cause irritation Icon
Vitamin EVitamin E Icon AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon 4 Benefits May cause irritationMay cause irritation Icon

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.

0-3 Com. / 0-3 Irr.
Phenoxyethanol Preservative
Preservative Icon
PreservativePreservative Icon

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

Very Disliked Full details ->
Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%
Propanediol Solvent

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Ascorbic Acid Antioxidant, Buffering, Masking
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon
Vitamin CVitamin C Icon AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon 6 Benefits

Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.

Alpha-Arbutin Antioxidant, Bleaching, Skin Conditioning
Antioxidant IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing Icon
AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon 2 Benefits

Alpha-Arbutin is made from hydroquinone and glucose. It may also be derived from the fermentation of soybeans.

Ingredient Ratings

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

Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
2
1
5
1
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated
Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%
3
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated

When to use

320 Routines
5% use in am
95% use in pm
91% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
489 Routines
69% use in am
31% use in pm
91% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm 9 ingredients

3.4 /5
from 9 ratings
Works Well (3) No Scent (3) Expensive (3)
tsmeu's avatar

tsmeu

7 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

It's a bit pricey for a cleanser, but I have yet to find a cheaper cleansing balm that performs equally well (the only ones I've tried that perform...

It's a bit pricey for a cleanser, but I have yet to find a cheaper cleansing balm that performs equally well (the only ones I've tried that perform as well as this are more expensive), though these days I can rarely be bothered to test new ones given how perfect this is and how many others have been disappointing, to say the least.

This melts on the skin so easily, removes everything without too much rubbing, emulsifies beautifully and rinses off completely clean, with or without using a cleansing cloth. No second cleanse needed for me. Leaves my skin feeling so clean yet not at all stripped or tight.

jazzzzz1's avatar

jazzzzz1

6 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

I wanted to love this cleansing balm as it melted away make up and left my skin feeling fresh, but sadly after using it for a few months I realised...

I wanted to love this cleansing balm as it melted away make up and left my skin feeling fresh, but sadly after using it for a few months I realised it was breaking me out due to the ethylhexyl palmitate.

The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% 3 ingredients

3.4 /5
from 5 ratings
Clover's avatar

Clover

1 year ago · Dry Skin
Review

I'm orange...
When I first started using this I was like, “great, a vitamin C that doesn’t burn”. So I began using it frequently. Slowly, I noticed...

I'm orange...
When I first started using this I was like, “great, a vitamin C that doesn’t burn”. So I began using it frequently. Slowly, I noticed my skin was turning orange, but just on my face. Turns out this product was oxidizing ON MY SKIN. The serum itself was still pretty clear, so I wasn’t applying an old or bad product, but when exposed to oxygen while on my face it began to STAIN it as if I had applied self tanner only to my face.
Now to be fair— I am fair. As in I am very very pale. Honestly even if this product was oxidizing on other people I don’t think the majority of skin tones would even notice it. But if you are like me just be warned! Vitamin C can stain your skin and it’ll take like a week for the effects to go away.

Let’s just say I’ve given up on finding a vitamin C serum and I’ll be sticking to other brightening ingredients.

mickey_432's avatar

mickey_432

1 year ago · Normal Skin
Review

Reaction
My face has never been redder and hurt more in my life...