Versus

Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm Versus Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm - Original

Makeup Remover
Makeup Remover
Korean Brand South Korea
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on April 16, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe makeup removers. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants

Suited For

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

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain oils

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Cetyl 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.

Emollient, Emulsifying

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
Abrasive, Emulsion Stabilising, Masking

Synthetic Wax is created from fossil fuels such as natural gas. It is used to enhance texture, adjust pH, and as an occlusive.

It may also be used as an abrasive ingredient to exfoliate the skin.

Synthetic Wax may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Synthetic Wax
Emulsifying

PEG-10 Isostearate isn't fungal acne safe.

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.

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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

When to use

99 Routines
6% use in am
93% use in pm
87% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
578 Routines
11% use in am
89% use in pm
89% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm 14 ingredients

3.6 /5
from 5 ratings
No Scent (4) Great Value (3) Works Well (3)
Elapidae's avatar

Ela

5 months ago
Review

Oh Boy, this prolly gonna end on my holy grail! ❤️ Sensible to the skin, doesn’t break me out, no residue after washing it off … no endless rubbing on waterproof make up. The only “bad thing” is prolly that it contains oil that rests on your eyeballs a bit. So you just see everything a bit milky for few minutes.

#great value
#absorbs well
#oily
#no scent
yarasweedan's avatar

Yara Sweedan

9 months ago
Review

I love using this as double cleansing step instead of oil cleanser as the oil one caused me acne breakouts
This one is very hygienic i love the packaging also u dont need to use alot if amount it removes makeup and sunscreen very easily
You first rub it on dry skin and then emulsify with some water and then wash it off and move on to the cleanser step

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well

Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm 17 ingredients

2.7 /5
from 27 ratings
Works Well (7) Broke Me Out (5) Light Scent (4)
DamDamfino's avatar

DamDamfino

1 year ago
Review

I was really late on the Banila Clean it Zero trend. I mean, I had heard of it for years but didn't buy it or try it until 2022.
Did it live up to the hype? Eh, maybe not?

I enjoy the tactile sensation of spreading a semi-solid around my face. I do like the idea of a cleansing balm a lot. Most of the time I rub this on my face before hopping into the shower to rinse it off, and having the Show more

#drying
cgi's avatar

cgi

1 year ago
Review

give it a try
i liked this cleansing balm. it goes second place on my list of favorite cleansing balms but this one was actually really good. i did like that it came with a little scooper so i wouldn't spread bacteria from my hands when picking up product. it is a little hard to take off but it easily cleaned up all my makeup and dirt from my face. what i don't like is that it literally gets in my Show more