MediCube Super Cica Deep Cleansing Balm Versus Haruharu Wonder Centella Sunflower Makeup-Melting Cleansing Balm
This oil-based makeup remover is made to dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and daily buildup.
This oil-based makeup remover is made to dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and daily buildup.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
PEG-10 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientParfum
Masking
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Coptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialGlycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
4-Terpineol
Masking
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil
Masking
Indigofera Tinctoria Extract
MaskingCynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningHemerocallis Fulva Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMyosotis Sylvatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxycinnamic Acid
Skin ConditioningRutin
Antioxidant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Isododecane, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Synthetic Wax, PEG-10 Isostearate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Parfum, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Water, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Butylene Glycol, Coptis Japonica Extract, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Madecassoside, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, 4-Terpineol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Propanediol, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil, Indigofera Tinctoria Extract, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Hemerocallis Fulva Flower Extract, Myosotis Sylvatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Hydroxycinnamic Acid, Rutin
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Melaleuca Alternifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Synthetic Wax, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Water, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is one of the most researched botanical extracts in skincare with decades of studies backing its effects on inflammation, collagen, and the skin barrier.
That research keeps pointing back to the same four triterpenoid saponins: Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, and Madecassic Acid.
These compounds allow centella to dial back inflammation, encourage the skin to build and hold onto collagen, support the barrier and hydration, and bring solid antioxidant activity to protect against signs of aging.
Centella also carries a nice supporting cast of Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and amino acids. Put it all together and you get an ingredient that soothes, hydrates, and protects, all at once.
Most of centella's magic comes from the four big compounds (Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, and Madecassic Acid). These are the actives doing the heavy lifting in almost every centella study.
Here is the short version of what they do in the skin:
So it is not just soothing for the sake of soothing. Centella calms the skin AND helps it rebuild.
Just FYI, not all centella on an ingredient list is the same. What you are getting actually depends on the extract:
Fun fact on the ratios: the leaves tend to be richest in Madecassoside and Asiaticoside, and lower in the two acids. The exact amounts shift with where the plant is grown and how it is processed. This means purity really does vary brand to brand.
Centella is one of the most easygoing actives out there.
It layers well with basically everything: niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and vitamin C, and also pairs nicely with stronger actives like retinoids and exfoliating acids where it can help take the edge off irritation.
On the safety side, centella and its triterpenes are classified as weak sensitizers, meaning allergic reactions are possible but uncommon.
Patch tests at 1% and 5% came back negative in test panels, and creams at typical use levels did not cause allergic reactions across large groups of people.
But as with any new active, a patch test is still a smart move for very reactive skin.
Centella is widely used because it is effective at low percentages. For context, human safety testing found no meaningful irritation from creams containing centella extract at everyday use levels (the tested amounts were well under 1%).
The irritancy threshold in animal testing was also above 30% (so real-world formulas sit far below anything concerning).
In collagen lab studies, higher concentrations drove more collagen synthesis, so serums built around centella tend to feature it more prominently.
Bottom line: you will find centella working nicely anywhere from a fraction of a percent up to hero-ingredient levels depending on whether it is a supporting soother or the main event.
Fun fact: Centella 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 ExtractThis ingredient is also known as olive oil. It has been used in skincare for centuries and science largely backs up its reputation as a nourishing emollient.
The main components of olive oil are oleic acid (55-83%), linoleic acid (3.5-20%), and palmitic acid (7-20%). Oleic acid promotes skin regeneration and helps regulate inflammatory responses.
Squalene is also naturally present in olive oil and exhibits moisturizing and antioxidant properties.
The polyphenols in olive oil also show anti-aging promise; one clinical study found a measurable improvement in skin appearance after 30 days of topical serum use.
Just be aware that applying olive oil directly to skin can weaken the barrier and cause redness. One study with volunteers found even people without sensitive skin experienced a significant reduction in stratum corneum integrity and induced mild erythema.
It's best to use this ingredient as part of a carefully crafted formula (instead of putting it on skin directly from the bottle).
Because it has a 2-3 on the comedogenic scale, it is a moderate risk for acne-prone skin. However, the overall formulation of a product matters more than a few ingredients with comedogenic ratings.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because of the oleic and palmitic acid content. These fall within the C11-24 fatty acid range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize to grow.
Overall, olive oil is a well-studied and nourishing skincare ingredient.
Learn more about Olea Europaea Fruit OilPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate is a synthetic, oil-loving helper ingredient that does two jobs:
This ingredient is made by joining three building blocks: PEG, Isostearic Acid and glycerin. The PEG gives it the oil-and-water blending power.
This ingredient has been found safe for use in cosmetics and broader PEG family testing shows minimal irritation/sensitization. The molecule's large size also means it isn't expected to penetrate skin to any meaningful degree.
Fungal acne note: This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe due to isostearic acid (C18). Isostearic acid falls into the C11-24 range that Malassezia can feed on.
Learn more about PEG-20 Glyceryl TriisostearatePropanediol 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 PropanediolJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Fungal acne: The Malassezia yeast is known to metabolize fatty acids in the C11-24 range and jojoba's dominant fatty acid components fall into this range. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilSynthetic Wax is a manufactured hydrocarbon wax. In formulas, it works as an occlusive emollient that helps reduce water loss and improves the spreadability of products.
Research comparing synthetic wax to traditional mineral-derived products found that formulas containing it perform as well for skin hydration.
It is considered non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.
This ingredient has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Synthetic Waxes are straight/branched-chain hydrocarbons with no ester bond or fatty acids. That means there is nothing for the Malassezia yeast to feed on.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
