Dear Me Beauty Acne Care Meltaway Balm Versus Sea Makeup Acne Butter Cleansing Balm
Updated on January 30, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe makeup removers. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA, exfoliants and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin and reducing pores
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Dear Me Beauty Acne Care Meltaway Balm 24 ingredients
Sea Makeup Acne Butter Cleansing Balm 13 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Dear Me Beauty Acne Care Meltaway Balm 24 ingredients
Sea Makeup Acne Butter Cleansing Balm 13 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPEG-12 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlucosylrutin
Antioxidant
Charcoal Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Malic Acid
Buffering
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Bixa Orellana Seed Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, PEG-12 Diisostearate, Polyethylene, Phenoxyethanol, Water, Caprylyl Glycol, Glucosylrutin, Charcoal Extract, Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Malic Acid, Lactobionic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Parfum, Tocopherol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid. It is a fatty acid ester.
The fatty acid content of Ethylhexyl Palmitate makes it an emollient. Emollients help soften and hydrate your skin by trapping moisture within.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate is also used to help improve the texture of cosmetics. It helps other ingredient dissolve in products and help disperse ingredients more evenly. In fact, it is commonly used to evenly mix sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone and ethylhexyl triazone. It can also help stabilize the fragrances in a product as a fragrance fixative.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate can be used to substitute mineral oil.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitatePeg-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 TriisostearateCetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient ester. It comes from cetearyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient that adds a velvety feel to skin without being greasy or oily. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
PEG-12 Diisostearate isn't fungal acne safe.
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.
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.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
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 GlycolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Dear Me Beauty Acne Care Meltaway Balm 24 ingredients
Sea Makeup Acne Butter Cleansing Balm 13 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Dear Me Beauty Acne Care Meltaway Balm 24 ingredients
Sea Makeup Acne Butter Cleansing Balm 13 ingredients
Not as effective as other cleansing balms or even oils. Leaves the skin dry and slightly irritated, my mother also has experience using this and claimed a similar irritation especially around the eyes.
