Versus

e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm Versus Banila Co Super Sized Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm

Makeup Remover
Makeup Remover
American Brand United States
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 8 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

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
Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm

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
Emulsifying

PEG-10 Isostearate isn't fungal acne safe.

Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.

Learn more about Butylene Glycol
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
Preservative

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.

Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Masking, Perfuming

Parfum 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 Parfum

When to use

509 Routines
8% use in am
92% use in pm
90% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
321 Routines
8% use in am
92% use in pm
86% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

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

3.2 /5
from 15 ratings
Works Well (5) Great Value (4) Hydrating (3)
AsiaRhodes_98's avatar

AsiaRhodes_98

1 year ago
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

freechurro's avatar

-‘🕯️’-

10 months ago
Review

This was so good, I used it for a very long time until I found out it was contributing to my fungal acne. Besides that, I never had any other issues and it’s a great, budget friendly, first cleanse for people without fungal acne!🩷

#great value
#light scent
#works well

Banila Co Super Sized Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm 20 ingredients

3.4 /5
from 14 ratings
Works Well (9) Broke Me Out (5) Light Scent (3)
damiazambry's avatar

Damia Zambry

3 months ago
Review

skinsort rated lowest for this cleansing balm according to my skin concern but nope it suits for my skin. MY HOLY GRAIL PRODUCT! it really works by reducing my acne, lessen my tiny bumps and clogged pores. such a cheffkiss🙏🏻
i hv combination to dry skin + acne prone

#great value
#light scent
#works well
dimitraseitanidou's avatar

Dimitra Seitanidou

7 months ago
Review

I use this as a make-up remover and it is amazing! It breaks down the make-up really well, I don't need to add another cleansing step after it and it leaves the skin feeling soft after.

#hydrating
#works well