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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Mecca Cosmetica Purifying Cleansing Balm versus Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm .

Last updated on February 26, 2024. Published on March 30, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for 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 need an update? Let us know.

Face Cleanser Australian Brand Australia
Face Cleanser South Korean Brand South Korea

Face Cleanser

Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).

Face Cleanser

Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).

Price

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
Exfoliators
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (4)
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Exfoliators

Benefits

Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
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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: Mixed

Cetyl Ethylhexanoate comes from cetearyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.

It is an emollient that adds a velvety feel to products when applied. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.

Mecca Cosmetica Purifying Cleansing Balm contains this as ingredient number 1.

Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate comes from Isostearic Acid and glycerin.

It is an emollient, emulsifier, and gentle cleanser. As an emollient, it helps trap moisture to keep skin soft and hydrated. Emulsifiers help prevent ingredients from separating.

This ingredient is common in oil-based products. This is because it helps oil-ingredients be easily washed away without leaving a residue.

Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate may not be fungal-acne safe.

Learn more about Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate

Mecca Cosmetica Purifying Cleansing Balm contains this as ingredient number 2.

Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

Within a product, Caprylic Triglyceride can thicken the product and make spreadability easier by dissolving clumping compounds. An added benefit of Caprylic Triglyceride is its antioxidant properties.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Caprylic Triglyceride has not been found to be toxic for human use in concentrations under 50%.

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 Triglyceride

Mecca Cosmetica Purifying Cleansing Balm contains this as ingredient number 3.

Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm contains this as ingredient number 2.

4
What it does: Abrasive, Emulsion Stabilising, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Synthetic Wax is created from fossil fuels such as natural gas. It is used to enhance texture, adjust pH, and as an occlusive.

It may also be used as an abrasive ingredient to exfoliate the skin.

Synthetic Wax may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Synthetic Wax

Mecca Cosmetica Purifying Cleansing Balm contains this as ingredient number 4.

Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm contains this as ingredient number 4.

5
What it does: Cleansing, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing, Soothing, Tonic
Community Rating: Loved

Centella Asiatica Extract is derived from an herb plant native to Southeast Asia. It is rich in antioxidants and amino acids. In skincare products, Centella Asiatica Extract is used for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.

Many active components found in Centella Asiatica Extract, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside, encourage the skin to naturally produce hyaluronic acid. This helps keep our skin hydrated. Many of these components also show antioxidant activity and may help reduce the signs of aging.

Research shows Centella Asiatica can help increase Type I collagen production by increasing fibroblast production. Fibroblast helps form connective tissue.

The combination of all these properties makes Centella Asiatica Extract effective at soothing the skin.

Other components of Centella Asiatic Extract include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.

Recent studies found madecassoside may help prevent damage from UV rays by preventing UV-induced inflammation. Further research is needed.

This plant has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.

Learn more about Centella Asiatica Extract

Mecca Cosmetica Purifying Cleansing Balm contains this as ingredient number 7.

Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm contains this as ingredient number 10.

6
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil comes from the grape vine. Grape seeds are a byproduct of creating grape juice or wine.

The components of grape seeds have many skin benefits. Research has found it to be antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. It also contains many potent antioxidants such as Vitamin E , Vitamin C, proanthocyanidins, polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. Proanthocyanidin has been shown to help even out skin tone.

Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Antioxidants help stabilize free-radicals by donating extra electrons. Grape seed extract may help reduce the signs of aging.

The antimicrobial properties of grape seed may help treat acne. However, more research is needed to support this claim.

Grape seed has also been found to help absorb UV rays. Grape seed extract should not replace your sunscreen.

The fatty acids of grape seed oil give it emollient properties. Emollients help soothe and soften your skin by creating a film. This film traps moisture within, keeping your skin hydrated.

Learn more about Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil

Mecca Cosmetica Purifying Cleansing Balm contains this as ingredient number 19.

Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm contains this as ingredient number 8.

7
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

Mecca Cosmetica Purifying Cleansing Balm contains this as ingredient number 20.

Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm contains this as ingredient number 12.

8
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Madecassoside comes from the super popular skin-soothing ingredient, Centella asiatica. It is one of four active compounds found in the extract of Centella Asiatica.

Madecassoside has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating properties. It contains fatty acids, amino acids, beta-carotene, and phytochemicals.

One study found using Madecassoside with ascorbic acid helped reduce the signs of aging and improved skin hydration.

Learn more about Madecassoside

Mecca Cosmetica Purifying Cleansing Balm contains this as ingredient number 27.

Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm contains this as ingredient number 9.

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

54% are loved or liked
25% have mixed ratings
14% are disliked or very disliked
7% have no rating yet
43% are loved or liked
29% have mixed ratings
29% are disliked or very disliked
0% 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

Mecca Cosmetica Purifying Cleansing Balm 28 ingredients

2.0 /5
from 1 rating
Heavy (1) Strong Scent (1)
tzounakii's avatar

tzounakii

4 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

Overpowering scent.

Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm 14 ingredients

Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm hasn't been rated yet.
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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 8 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Mecca Cosmetica Purifying Cleansing Balm.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 9 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm.

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