Ultraceuticals Ultra Balancing Gel Cleanser Versus Aesthetics Rx Refining Mousse Cleanser
Updated on November 25, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain 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
Ultraceuticals Ultra Balancing Gel Cleanser 32 ingredients
Aesthetics Rx Refining Mousse Cleanser 24 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Ultraceuticals Ultra Balancing Gel Cleanser 32 ingredients
Aesthetics Rx Refining Mousse Cleanser 24 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentOlive Oil PEG-7 Esters
Emollient
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingAvena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
Propanediol
Solvent
Laureth-4
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Formic Acid
Preservative
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLimonene
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Decyl Glucoside, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Propanediol, Laureth-4, Xanthan Gum, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sorbic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Formic Acid, Maltodextrin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingLactic Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Polyquaternium-7
Yeast Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Davidsonia Jerseyana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Disodium EDTA
Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil
Astringent
Foeniculum Vulgare Oil
Emollient
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Decyl Glucoside, Polysorbate 80, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Polyquaternium-7, Yeast Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Davidsonia Jerseyana Fruit Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Foeniculum Vulgare Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineDecyl 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 GlucosideDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin 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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier. It is a surfactant derived from sarcosine, and a common source is coconut oil.
As a surfactant, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate helps lift dirts, oil, and other molecules to be washed away. In leave-on products, this ingredient is used as an emulsifier. Emulsifier help prevent ingredients such as oils and waters from separating.
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is also commonly found as a foaming agent in shampoo, toothpaste, and shaving foam. It is amphiphilic, meaning it loves both water and fats.
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 WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
