Face Reality Skincare Barrier Balance Creamy Cleanser Versus AlumierMD Sensicalm Gentle Facial Cleanser
Updated on February 06, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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.
Ingredient Info
Face Reality Skincare Barrier Balance Creamy Cleanser 26 ingredients
AlumierMD Sensicalm Gentle Facial Cleanser 36 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Face Reality Skincare Barrier Balance Creamy Cleanser 26 ingredients
AlumierMD Sensicalm Gentle Facial Cleanser 36 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Inulin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Inulin, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Saccharide Isomerate, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Yucca Schidigera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
P-Anisic Acid
MaskingCeramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingPolyisobutene
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXylitol
HumectantCaprylic Acid
CleansingLinalyl Acetate
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
4-Terpineol
MaskingOcimene
Perfuming
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Tetrasodium EDTA
Lauramidopropyl Dimethylamine
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Propanediol, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Yucca Schidigera Root Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, P-Anisic Acid, Ceramide Ng, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Polyisobutene, Sucrose Stearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Xylitol, Caprylic Acid, Linalyl Acetate, Linalool, 4-Terpineol, Ocimene, Sodium Chloride, Tetrasodium EDTA, Lauramidopropyl Dimethylamine, Sorbitan Oleate, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholThis 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 TriglycerideAllantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.
Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Face Reality Skincare Barrier Balance Creamy Cleanser 26 ingredients
AlumierMD Sensicalm Gentle Facial Cleanser 36 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Face Reality Skincare Barrier Balance Creamy Cleanser 26 ingredients
I love this cleanser. I have gone through eight of them. It cleans my sensitive skin without leaving it stripped or dry and tight.
The perfect cleanser to balance out any dryness that Mandelic and Acne Med can bring on. Prior to face reality my skin was very oily. The routine has balanced out my oil’s significantly.
