Versus

DUO The Cleansing Balm - Black Repair Versus Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm

Makeup Remover
Makeup Remover
Japanese Brand Japan
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on April 29, 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, dry skin, sensitive skin 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

What's inside

What's inside

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
The Cleansing Balm

Ethylhexyl Palmitate

Emollient
2-3 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Synthetic Wax

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Isotridecyl Isononanoate

Emollient

PEG-6 Glyceryl Isostearate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Emollient
0 / 0 Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate

Skin Conditioning

Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil

Emollient
Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Benzylsulfonyl D-Seryl Homophenylalanine Amidinobenzamide Acetate

Skin Conditioning

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Charcoal Powder

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconGood for Oily Skin IconHelps fight Acne Icon

Aspergillus/Rice Ferment Extract

Humectant

Lactobacillus/Grape Juice Ferment Filtrate

Skin Conditioning

Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate

Skin Conditioning

Lactobacillus/Nelumbo Nucifera Seed Ferment Filtrate

Bleaching

Saccharomyces/Day Lily Flower Ferment Filtrate

Skin Conditioning

Schizosaccharomyces/Fig Fruit Ferment Filtrate

Skin Conditioning

Saccharomyces/Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Ferment Filtrate

Skin Conditioning

Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Extract

Skin Conditioning

Saccharomyces/Hydrolyzed Stachys Affinis Tuber Ferment Filtrate

Skin Conditioning

Lactobacillus/Olive Leaf Ferment Extract

Humectant

Gluconobacter/Honey Ferment Filtrate

Skin Conditioning

Honey Extract

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment

Antimicrobial

Ceramide Ng

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Ceramide AP

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Ceramide Ag

Humectant
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Ceramide NP

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Ceramide EOP

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Dark Spots IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Vaccinium Myrtillus Leaf Extract

Astringent

Hydroxystearic Acid

Cleansing
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Silica

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Lactobacillus/Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Ferment Filtrate

Skin Conditioning

Zymomonas Ferment Extract

Humectant

Maltodextrin

Absorbent
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Citrus Grandis Peel Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil Icon

Citrus Aurantifolia Oil

Cleansing
Fragrance IconOil Icon

Undecane

Emollient

Tridecane

Perfuming
Fragrance Icon

Glycine Soja Sterols

Emollient
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Bis-Ethoxydiglycol Cyclohexane 1,4-Dicarboxylate

Emollient

Cetyl Ethylhexanoate

Emollient

Silica Dimethyl Silylate

Emollient

Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Water

Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Emulsifying
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Polyhydroxystearic Acid

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Synthetic Wax, Isotridecyl Isononanoate, PEG-6 Glyceryl Isostearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Benzylsulfonyl D-Seryl Homophenylalanine Amidinobenzamide Acetate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Charcoal Powder, Aspergillus/Rice Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/Grape Juice Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Nelumbo Nucifera Seed Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Day Lily Flower Ferment Filtrate, Schizosaccharomyces/Fig Fruit Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Extract, Saccharomyces/Hydrolyzed Stachys Affinis Tuber Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Olive Leaf Ferment Extract, Gluconobacter/Honey Ferment Filtrate, Honey Extract, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide AP, Ceramide Ag, Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOP, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Vaccinium Myrtillus Leaf Extract, Hydroxystearic Acid, Silica, Lactobacillus/Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Ferment Filtrate, Zymomonas Ferment Extract, Maltodextrin, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Undecane, Tridecane, Glycine Soja Sterols, Bis-Ethoxydiglycol Cyclohexane 1,4-Dicarboxylate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Water, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Masking, Skin Conditioning

This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.

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

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
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

277 Routines
10% use in am
90% use in pm
92% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

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Great Value 63% Works Well 63% No Scent 63%