Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser Versus Curology Cleanser
Updated on July 18, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and sensitive skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, oils, 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
Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser 25 ingredients
Curology Cleanser 24 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser 25 ingredients
Curology Cleanser 24 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventIsohexadecane
EmollientAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Symphytum Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningXylitylglucoside
HumectantBetaine
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Water, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Isohexadecane, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Allantoin, Symphytum Officinale Root Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Betaine, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Oleate, Benzoic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Geraniol, Citronellol
Water
Skin ConditioningAcrylates Copolymer
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingXylitylglucoside
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCoco-Glucoside
CleansingAnhydroxylitol
HumectantStearic Acid
Cleansing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Coconut Alcohol
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Emulsifying
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
Masking
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Disodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Avena Sativa Leaf Extract
AstringentWater, Acrylates Copolymer, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Xylitylglucoside, Propanediol, Coco-Glucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Stearic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xylitol, Panthenol, Coconut Alcohol, Citric Acid, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Avena Sativa Leaf Extract
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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolXylitylglucoside is created from xylitol and glucose, two humectants.
Not surprisingly, this ingredient is also a humectant. It attracts and holds water in your skin, helping to maintain hydration.
This ingredient is most commonly found in a popular trio called Aquaxyl. Aquaxyl is made up of anhydroxylitol(24 - 34%), xylitylglucoside (35 - 50%), and xylitol (5 - 15%).
According to a manufacturer, Aquaxyl is known for a 3-D hydration concept and an anti-dehydration shield to reinforce the outer layer of skin.
Learn more about XylitylglucosideThis ingredient is created from dehydrating xylitol in acidic conditions. Xylitol is a famous sugar and humectant.
Much like its predecessor, anhydroxylitol is a humectant. Humectants attract and hold water to moisturize the skin.
This ingredient is most commonly found in a popular trio called Aquaxyl. Aquaxyl is made up of anhydroxylitol (24 - 34%), xylitylglucoside (35 - 50%), and xylitol (5 - 15%).
According to a manufacturer, Aquaxyl is known for a 3-D hydration concept and an anti-dehydration shield to reinforce the outer layer of skin.
This ingredient is often derived from plants such as wood and sugarcane.
Learn more about AnhydroxylitolXylitol is a humectant and prebiotic. It can help with dry skin.
In studies, xylitol has been shown to improve dry skin. It decreased transepidermal water loss, or when water passes through the skin and evaporates. Xylitol also showed to help improve the biomechanical properties of the skin barrier.
The prebiotic property of xylitol may also help reinforce our skin's natural microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome prevents infection by bad bacteria and helps with hydration.
As a humectant, Xylitol helps draw moisture from both the air and from deeper skin layers. This helps keep skin hydrated.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol and commonly used as a sugar substitute. It is naturally occurring in plants such as strawberries and pumpkin.
Learn more about XylitolCitric 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 AcidSodium 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 HydroxidePotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser 25 ingredients
Curology Cleanser 24 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser 25 ingredients
Smells nice. Interesting & pleasant texture. However, my skin doesn't really feel "clean" after using it.
Curology Cleanser 24 ingredients
Didn't feel like this was very effective, even if it didn't feel too drying. The consistency was unsatisfying, kind of like I was just rubbing it around. Come to find out it's got some irritating ingredients. Seriously, why does a skin care company with an entire prescription system and haughty prices have such bad ingredients? Is it an American thing? Consumers need to start being more informed Show more
The best cleanser
This is the best cleanser I’ve ever tried. It removes makeup, sunscreen, and oil without feeling drying. Using it with the curology treatment and moisturizer cleared my acne.
