Versus

Urban Skin Even Tone Gentle Gel Cleanser Versus KAINE Kombu Hydrating Daily Cleanser

Face Cleanser
Face Cleanser
American Brand United States
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on July 15, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain niacinamide

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

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

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
Smoothing

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.

Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.

The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.

When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.

Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.

Learn more about Niacinamide
Masking, Skin Conditioning

This 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 Triglyceride

This combination of bacteria + black tea + fermentation = kombucha.

According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps boost radiance, smoothness, and thickens skin.

You can read about the skin benefits of the individual parts here: Saccharomyces Black tea

Learn more about Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
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

When to use

157 Routines
46% use in am
54% use in pm
97% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
689 Routines
45% use in am
55% use in pm
98% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Urban Skin Even Tone Gentle Gel Cleanser 22 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 1 rating
Absorbs Well (1) Great Value (1) Hydrating (1)
Piplup85's avatar

Pip Lup

8 months ago
Review

This product is very smooth when cleansing and doesn’t make my skin feel irritated. Love that it is gentle, smells great but not a strong scent either. If you want a product that is good for acne cleansing, but also not too drying, I’d go with this one. Sure it isn’t “oil-free,” but it cleans your face and hydrates it well. I have oily skin and it doesn’t make me look or feel oily at all or too Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well

KAINE Kombu Hydrating Daily Cleanser 27 ingredients

4.2 /5
from 20 ratings
Hydrating (15) Works Well (11) Great Value (9)
Daniel.Chin's avatar

Daniel Chin

6 months ago
Review

Good cleansers that don’t strip the skin or cause more problems are so hard to find for my sensitive skin, so I waited a couple of weeks to really see how my skin reacted after twice-daily use before reviewing.

I highly recommend this cleanser for everyone. It’s so hydrating, has nothing in it that has caused my skin to dry out or react badly, is non-comedogenic, vegan and cruelty-free. It’s Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#light scent
#works well
soabh's avatar

soabh

4 months ago
Review

Perfect for what it’s meant for. Completely simple and FA safe product with no actives so there is no way this has ever irritated my skin after months. Don’t expect drastic clearing of your skin/acne as this has no actives or anything of that sort. But it shines in what it’s meant to do. Very hydrating, love the lather and texture, doesn’t dry out, very gentle and overall just great. My friend Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#works well