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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Farmacy Clearly Clean versus Sephora Collection Melting Cleansing Balm with Algae Extract Original .

Last updated on November 29, 2023. Published on November 07, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe makeup removers. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging and dry skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, 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 need an update? Let us know.

Makeup Remover American Brand United States
Makeup Remover French Brand France

Makeup Remover

Makeup removers work to remove makeup from the skin.

Makeup Remover

Makeup removers work to remove makeup from the skin.

Price

Shop

Buy Clearly Clean

Starts at $36.00
Shop

Buy Melting Cleansing Balm with Algae Extract

Starts at $12.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

PHA
Exfoliators

Benefits

Hydrating
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger (2)
Rosacea

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric acid.

It is a lightweight emollient. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.

Once applied, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is absorbed quickly and leaves a silky feel.

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/Caprate

Farmacy Clearly Clean contains this as ingredient number 3.

Sephora Collection Melting Cleansing Balm with Algae Extract Original contains this as ingredient number 7.

2
What it does: Emollient, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil is the oil derived from the seeds of a Sunflower. Sunflower seed oil is non-fragrant. It is an emollient, meaning it helps to soften the skin.

Sunflower seed oil contains many fatty acids. The fatty acids found in sunflower seeds include (from highest amount to least): linoleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid.

These fatty acids help the skin create ceramides. Ceramides play a role in repairing the skin barrier.

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil helps moisturize the skin. This in turn helps the skin look more rejuvenated and smoother.

Sunflowers are rich in vitamin E.

Historians believe Indigenous cultures of North America domesticated sunflowers before corn. Thus they relied on sunflower oil for a variety of uses. One such use is moisturizing skin and hair.

Sunflower seed oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Farmacy Clearly Clean contains this as ingredient number 8.

Sephora Collection Melting Cleansing Balm with Algae Extract Original contains this as ingredient number 1.

3
What it does: Emulsifying

We don't have a description for Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate.

Farmacy Clearly Clean contains this as ingredient number 19.

Sephora Collection Melting Cleansing Balm with Algae Extract Original contains this as ingredient number 4.

4
What it does: Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.

This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.

You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.

There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.

The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.

Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.

Learn more about Sodium Chloride

Farmacy Clearly Clean contains this as ingredient number 21.

Sephora Collection Melting Cleansing Balm with Algae Extract Original contains this as ingredient number 15.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Farmacy Clearly Clean contains this as ingredient number 23.

Sephora Collection Melting Cleansing Balm with Algae Extract Original contains this as ingredient number 6.

6
What it does: Masking, Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.

Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.

Sodium Benzoate is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.

Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.

We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Sodium Benzoate

Farmacy Clearly Clean contains this as ingredient number 24.

Sephora Collection Melting Cleansing Balm with Algae Extract Original contains this as ingredient number 17.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

19% are loved or liked
19% have mixed ratings
27% are disliked or very disliked
35% have no rating yet
26% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
48% are disliked or very disliked
26% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Farmacy Clearly Clean 26 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Aquila's avatar

Aquila

2 years ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

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...

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 many other cleansers I have tried. Out of all of Farmacy's products, this is the only one I will repurchase.

Sephora Collection Melting Cleansing Balm with Algae Extract 23 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 1 rating
Great Value (1) Irritating (1) Light (1) Oily (1) Strong Scent (1) Works Well (1)
AshN.'s avatar

AshN.

3 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

(Tried Apr 2023) I will say for a cleansing balm it works very well and the amount of product you receive for the price is also a great, so it...

(Tried Apr 2023) I will say for a cleansing balm it works very well and the amount of product you receive for the price is also a great, so it makes for a great budget buy. My main complaints are due to the strong scent and how it can be a bit irritating if it sits around the eye area for too long.

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 2 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Farmacy Clearly Clean.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 3 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Sephora Collection Melting Cleansing Balm with Algae Extract Original.

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