Neutrogena Makeup Melting Refreshing Jelly Cleanser Versus Maybelline Clean Express! The Flash Clean Makeup Removing Lotion
This mild cream makeup remover is made to dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and daily buildup.
This mild cream 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
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Isohexadecane
EmollientDecyl Isostearate
Emollient
Isopropyl Isostearate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Poloxamer 188
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Decyl Isostearate, Isopropyl Isostearate, Butylene Glycol, Zea Mays Starch, Polysorbate 20, Poloxamer 188, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Chlorphenesin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Panthenol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Methylparaben
Preservative
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
Abrasive
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Isohexadecane, Isopropyl Myristate, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Methylparaben, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerButylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinIsohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.
Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.
Learn more about IsohexadecaneWater. 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
