Farmacy Clearly Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm Versus Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Smoothing Enzyme Cleansing Balm
Updated on August 08, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe makeup removers. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin and sensitive skin
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
Farmacy Clearly Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm 26 ingredients
Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Smoothing Enzyme Cleansing Balm 18 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
Farmacy Clearly Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm 26 ingredients
Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Smoothing Enzyme Cleansing Balm 18 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
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.
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 TriglycerideCarica Papaya Fruit Extract comes from the papaya fruit. Papayas were first domesticated in Mexico and Central America.
This fruit extract contains papain and chymopapain, two types of enzymes. These enzyme have exfoliating and anti-inflammatory properties. One study shows papain may help reduce scarring.
Papaya is also a rich source of antioxidants. Antioxidants protect your skin against damage from free-radical molecules. This may help protect against signs of aging. One antioxidant present in papayas is lycopene.
Papaya also contains Vitamin A, also known as retinol.
While papaya is used as an ingredient to help lighten skin, research is limited on this.
The seeds of papaya have been found to have anti-fungal activity.
Learn more about Carica Papaya Fruit ExtractPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolWater. 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 WaterMaltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Farmacy Clearly Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm 26 ingredients
Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Smoothing Enzyme Cleansing Balm 18 ingredients


Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Farmacy Clearly Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm 26 ingredients
Farmacy's most gentle product
I first used its big sister, Green Clean, and loved it. However, Clearly Clean is superior for those with super sensitive, reactive skin. This gently cleanses, exfoliates, and removes all types of makeup just like Green Clean, but is safe for even the most sensitive skin. I have zero irritation from this product, and it doesn't leave my skin stinging and red like so Show more
Very meh. I do find it takes off makeup fine, but not any better than any other generic balm or oil, and not without using a considerable amount of product. I really don’t like its consistency and feel like it kind of sits on the skin, for which reason I don’t like using it for double cleansing either.
Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Smoothing Enzyme Cleansing Balm 18 ingredients
The first two ingredients are extremely comedogenic. In my opinion, Glow Recipe is another one of those brands that invests way more in their marketing than actual products. I've had nothing but bad experiences with their products.