Ulta Cloud Cleanser Versus Paula's Choice Resist Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser
Updated on July 18, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and sensitive skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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
Ulta Cloud Cleanser 24 ingredients
Paula's Choice Resist Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser 23 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Ulta Cloud Cleanser 24 ingredients
Paula's Choice Resist Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser 23 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes
Emollient
Pullulan
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Decyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Xanthan Gum, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sclerotium Gum, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Lysolecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Glyceryl Stearate, Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes, Pullulan, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Polysorbate 20, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emulsifying
PPG-20 Methyl Glucose Ether
Skin ConditioningMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
Camellia Oleifera Leaf
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Sapindus Mukorossi Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningMethyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Decyl Glucoside, Glycerin, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, PPG-20 Methyl Glucose Ether, Methyl Gluceth-20, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Polyacrylamide, Camellia Oleifera Leaf, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Sapindus Mukorossi Peel Extract, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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 WaterDecyl Glucoside is a glucose-based surfactant and emulsion stabilizer. It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.
Surfactants help clean the skin by trapping oil, sebum, and dirt to be washed away. As an emulsion stabilizer, it stabilizes the ingredients in a product by preventing them from separating.
This ingredient is biodegradable and non-toxic. This ingredient is commonly found in baby shampoos.
Decyl Glucoside is sometimes used to stabilize the UV filter Tinosorb.
Learn more about Decyl GlucosideGlycerin 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 GumThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePhenoxyethanol 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.
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.
Ingredient Ratings
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When to use
Ulta Cloud Cleanser 24 ingredients
Paula's Choice Resist Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser 23 ingredients
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