Versus

Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide Moisture Barrier Cleanser Versus Face Reality Skincare Barrier Balance Creamy Cleanser

Face Cleanser
Face Cleanser
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on March 05, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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

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

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Avocado Ceramide Moisture Barrier Cleanser

Water

Skin Conditioning

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate

Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate

Cleansing
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

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
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin 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 Glycerin
Skin Conditioning

Inulin is a polysaccharide (carbohydrate) with prebiotic and antioxidant properties.

The majority of inulin is extracted from chicory, but can also be obtained from other plants such as garlic, onion, asparagus, and sugarcane.

Studies show inulin may help with controlling your skin's natural microbiota when applied topically.

The antioxidant potential of inulin varies depending on the source.

Learn more about Inulin

Saccharide Isomerate comes from sugars found in corn. It is a skin hydrator.

The structure of this ingredient can be altered to be more similar to the carbohydrates found in our skin. This ability to mimic our skin gives it hydrating properties.

Specifically, saccharide Isomerate is a humectant. Humectants draw moisture from the air to our skin.

Research shows Saccharide Isomerate to be an effective moisturizer.

Learn more about Saccharide Isomerate
Buffering, Masking

Citric 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 Acid
Buffering, Masking

Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.

Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.

The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).

Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.

Learn more about Sodium Citrate
Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan 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 Gum

When to use

252 Routines
43% use in am
57% use in pm
94% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
70 Routines
50% use in am
50% use in pm
100% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide Moisture Barrier Cleanser 51 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 5 ratings
Hydrating (2) Great Value (1) Light Scent (1)
veronicall's avatar

Veronica ll

4 months ago
Review

***NOTE: the ingredient list is not correct here - the product doesn’t have all this perfumes or red markes? Can someone please change this?***
https://www.glowrecipe.com/products/avocado-ceramide-moisture-barrier-cleanser?_pos=1&_sid=c95045f3e&_ss=r

I have acne prone, sensitive and winter dry skin. Love this cleanser! It has an amazing very light scent of pear icecream 🍐🍦. For me, it’s super Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#light scent
#works well
addangel's avatar

Ada

4 months ago
Review

It’s fine? It did not impress me in any way.

#hydrating

Face Reality Skincare Barrier Balance Creamy Cleanser 26 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Hydrating (2) Works Well (2) Heavy (1)
karlaestrada2's avatar

Karla Estrada

5 months ago
Review

I love this cleanser. I have gone through eight of them. It cleans my sensitive skin without leaving it stripped or dry and tight.

#hydrating
#absorbs well
#no scent
#works well
kaitlynnajones's avatar

Kaitlynn A Jones

9 months ago
Review

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.

#expensive
#hydrating
#heavy
#light scent