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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil versus Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil .

Published on June 11, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe makeup removers. They have a total of 14 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin E

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain common allergens, fragrances and 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 Japanese Brand Japan

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 Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil

Starts at $35.00
Shop

Buy Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil

Starts at $104.95

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

Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Reduces Irritation
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Brightening

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger (2)
Irritating (2)

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating (4)
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Brightening

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger (2)
Irritating (2)
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
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Ethylhexyl Palmitate is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid. It is a fatty acid ester.

The fatty acid content of Ethylhexyl Palmitate makes it an emollient. Emollients help soften and hydrate your skin by trapping moisture within.

Ethylhexyl Palmitate is also used to help improve the texture of cosmetics. It helps other ingredient dissolve in products and help disperse ingredients more evenly. In fact, it is commonly used to evenly mix sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone and ethylhexyl triazone. It can also help stabilize the fragrances in a product as a fragrance fixative.

Ethylhexyl Palmitate can be used to substitute mineral oil.

Learn more about Ethylhexyl Palmitate

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil contains this as ingredient number 1.

Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil contains this as ingredient number 2.

2
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Zea Mays Germ Oil comes from corn.

It is an occlusive skin conditioning agent.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil contains this as ingredient number 2.

Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil contains this as ingredient number 1.

3
What it does: Emollient, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Isopropyl Myristate is an emollient, thickening agent, and texture enhancer. It is created from isopropyl alcohol and myristic acid.

It is used to help other ingredients be better absorbed. It is also an emollient and may help soften and hydrate the skin.

The comedogenic rating of this ingredient depends on the concentration. Lower amounts results in a lower rating.

Isopropyl Myristate may not be fungal acne safe. It can potentially worsen acne prone skin.

Learn more about Isopropyl Myristate

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil contains this as ingredient number 3.

Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil contains this as ingredient number 5.

4
What it does: Emulsifying

Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate isn't fungal acne safe.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil contains this as ingredient number 5.

Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil contains this as ingredient number 6.

5
What it does: Emulsifying

We don't have a description for Polyglyceryl-6 Dicaprate.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil contains this as ingredient number 6.

Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil contains this as ingredient number 7.

6
What it does: Emulsifying

Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate isn't fungal acne safe.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil contains this as ingredient number 8.

Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil contains this as ingredient number 8.

7
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.

Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.

Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.

Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).

In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.

The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.

Is squalane vegan? This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.

Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.

Read more about squalene with an "e".

Learn more about Squalane

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil contains this as ingredient number 9.

Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil contains this as ingredient number 12.

8
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil contains this as ingredient number 11.

Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil contains this as ingredient number 10.

9
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Liked

Dicaprylyl Ether is created from caprylic acid. It is a texture-enhancer and emollient.

As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Ether is non-comedogenic. It helps soften and smooth the skin by creating a barrier on top. This barrier helps trap moisture in, helping to hydrate the skin.

Dicaprylyl Ether gives a non-greasy feel and better spreadability to products.

Learn more about Dicaprylyl Ether

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil contains this as ingredient number 14.

Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil contains this as ingredient number 17.

10
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Dicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.

As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Carbonate creates a film on the skin. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil contains this as ingredient number 15.

Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil contains this as ingredient number 18.

11
What it does: Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Linalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.

Linalool has the same effect as Limonene when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.

Linalool has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.

Learn more about Linalool

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil contains this as ingredient number 18.

Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil contains this as ingredient number 11.

12
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil contains this as ingredient number 19.

Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil contains this as ingredient number 19.

13
What it does: Perfuming, Tonic
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Geraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.

Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.

Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.

Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.

Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.

Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.

2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-

Learn more about Geraniol

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil contains this as ingredient number 21.

Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil contains this as ingredient number 20.

14
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Glycine Soja Oil comes from the soybean. Glycine Soja is native to eastern Asia.

Soybean oil is an emollient. It is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids including palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids.

As an emollient, the fatty acids in soybean oil helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. It does so by creating a film on top that traps moisture in.

Soybean oil is also rich in vitamin E, a potent antioxidant. Vitamin E is also anti-inflammatory and provides a soothing effect.

Studies show soy may help fade hyperpigmentation from UVB. It does so by disrupting the melanin process from UVB induced skin inflammation.

This ingredient may not be malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne, safe.

Soybeans are rich in proteins and are part of the legume family. Foods made with soybeans include tofu, soymilk, edamame, miso, and soy sauce.

Learn more about Glycine Soja Oil

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil contains this as ingredient number 23.

Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil contains this as ingredient number 22.

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

17% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
50% are disliked or very disliked
25% have no rating yet
24% are loved or liked
17% have mixed ratings
38% are disliked or very disliked
21% 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

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil 24 ingredients

4.8 /5
from 4 ratings
IvaNjunji_963's avatar

IvaNjunji_963

1 year ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

The best make up remover I've ever tried.
Wonderful product that doesn't iritate my sensitive skin and eyes.

loulouspence's avatar

loulouspence

7 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

It is my favourite makeup cleanser and leaves my skin feeling bright

Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil 29 ingredients

Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 4 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 1 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil.

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