REN Clean Skincare Evercalm™ Gentle Cleansing Gel Versus Paula's Choice Calm Ultra-Gentle Cleanser
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, oils, 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
REN Clean Skincare Evercalm™ Gentle Cleansing Gel 16 ingredients
Paula's Choice Calm Ultra-Gentle Cleanser 17 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
REN Clean Skincare Evercalm™ Gentle Cleansing Gel 16 ingredients
Paula's Choice Calm Ultra-Gentle Cleanser 17 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids
CleansingInulin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract
RefreshingAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingSodium Carboxymethyl Betaglucan
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Linalool
Perfuming
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate
CleansingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Inulin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Cellulose
AbsorbentFructose
HumectantGlucose
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Cellulose Gum, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Inulin, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Cellulose, Fructose, Glucose, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinXanthan 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 GumInulin 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 InulinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
REN Clean Skincare Evercalm™ Gentle Cleansing Gel 16 ingredients
Paula's Choice Calm Ultra-Gentle Cleanser 17 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
REN Clean Skincare Evercalm™ Gentle Cleansing Gel 16 ingredients
This was an okay product, I would use it as a second cleanse. I wouldn’t pay full price for this for sure! The texture is very slippery and you have to rub really hard to get it to foam up.
Paula's Choice Calm Ultra-Gentle Cleanser 17 ingredients
Perfect cleanser for sensitive, acne prone skin.
I've been using this cleanser for months. I love it. I have very sensitive, acne prone skin. I always have trouble finding a cleanser that doesn't irritate my skin, damage my barrier or trigger my acne.
This cleanser doesn't make any of that, instead it leaves my skin hydrated and smooth . It also cleans very well.
I'm happy that I find this Show more
Very gentle product which doesn’t dry out your skin. Does not work well for sebaceous filaments / blackheads though due to no active ingredients.
