The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm Versus Cien Gentle Cleansing Milk
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or silicones
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances and oils
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
The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm 19 ingredients
Cien Gentle Cleansing Milk 22 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm 19 ingredients
Cien Gentle Cleansing Milk 22 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Candelilla Cera
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Tribehenin
Emollient
PEG-60 Almond Glycerides
Emulsifying
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
Water
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Lecithin
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Candelilla Cera, Silica, Sorbitan Stearate, Tribehenin, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Water, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Kernel Oil
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Cetearyl Sulfate
Cleansing
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Glyceryl Stearate, Myristyl Myristate, Allantoin, Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract, Prunus Persica Kernel Oil, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholWater. 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 WaterBenzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholPhenoxyethanol 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
The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm 19 ingredients
Cien Gentle Cleansing Milk 22 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm 19 ingredients
Well, it is gentle, but I didn't like the experience. Usually, my cleansing balms and oils emulsify as soon as I start adding water on my face, and wash off nicely. However, this one somehow doesn't... Even after double cleansing. Perhaps a stronger second cleanser would help, but my skin only tolerates milky washes/cleansers. I would have given it three stars, but the strong, off-putting smell Show more
Don't buy this if u have acne prone skin. I used it for so long without realizing it was breaking me out and now i have so many black and whiteheads .
