Versus

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser Versus Derma E Sensitive Skin Cleanser

Face Cleanser
Face Cleanser
Canadian Brand Canada
American Brand United States

Updated on April 07, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin 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 Glycerin
Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

When to use

2,330 Routines
34% use in am
66% use in pm
95% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
20 Routines
45% use in am
55% use in pm
100% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser 20 ingredients

4.3 /5
from 32 ratings
Works Well (14) No Scent (12) Great Value (11)
wthtay's avatar

Taynara Motta

11 months ago
Review

I've struggled with fungal acne for the longest time and used to ran away from cleasing oils, but decided to give this one a try and has been working beautifully on my skin. It doesn't have many potential FA triggers on it, plus the main ingredient is squalane. Definitely a good option for FA sufferers who are looking to incorporate cleasing oils in their routines.

#hydrating
#light
#no scent
#works well
Jacob's avatar

Jacob

9 months ago
Review

Been using this for a couple years now - I find it to be a light non-drying cleanser.

Would recommend for people with dry/sensitive skin!

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#works well

Derma E Sensitive Skin Cleanser 17 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
DanielFawthrop_552's avatar

DanielFawthrop_552

2 years ago
Review

Cleanses but doesn’t hydrate 5/5
This cleanser CLEANSES your skin, and doesn’t do anything besides really stripping your oils and dirt in your pores. Without damaging or causing irritation unlike most cleansers do. Use genuinely need this (as a sensitive and combinational skin type).