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Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Ingredients Explained
Overview
What it is
Face cleanser with 21 ingredients that contains BHA, exfoliants and PHA
Cool Features
It is reef safe
Suited For
It has ingredients that are good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
It doesn't contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates
Fun facts
Banila Co is from South Korea. This product is used in 1 routines created by our community.
We independently verify ingredients and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Does this product need an update? Let us know.
Face cleanser with 21 ingredients that contains BHA, exfoliants and PHA
Quick info
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Concerns
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Ingredients 21
Ethylhexyl Stearate is an ester of 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and stearic acid. It is an emulsifier, emollient, and texture enhancer.
Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate comes from Isostearic Acid and glycerin.
Synthetic Wax is created from fossil fuels such as natural gas. It is used to enhance texture, adjust pH, and as an occlusive.
This ingredient is the fixed oil extracted from seeds of the desert shrub Jojoba. It is more commonly known as jojoba oil. The seed oil is liquid wax ester from the plant. It is non-comedogenic.
1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
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.
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract comes from the Tea Tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, Myrtaceae. This tea tree is native to Australia.
Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid comes from salicylic acid, the famous acne-fighting BHA.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Dextrin is used to thicken a product and helps bind ingredients together. It is created from starch and glycogen.
This tea tree oil comes from the leaves of the Tea Tree plant. Tea tree oil has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
Gluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
Lactobacillus Ferment is created by fermenting the Lactobacillus bacteria. It helps keep our skin's natural barrier and microbiome healthy.
4-Terpineol is the main component of tea tree oil. It has antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Peg-10 Isostearate, Synthetic Wax, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Water, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Parfum, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Dextrin, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Citric Acid, Gluconolactone, Lactobacillus Ferment, 4-Terpineol
Ingredient Ratings
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Ingredients Explained
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate comes from cetearyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.
It is an emollient that adds a velvety feel to products when applied. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Ethylhexyl Stearate is an ester of 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and stearic acid. It is an emulsifier, emollient, and texture enhancer.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating.
Its emollient property helps soften and hydrate the skin. Emollients form a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl StearatePeg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate comes from Isostearic Acid and glycerin.
It is an emollient, emulsifier, and gentle cleanser. As an emollient, it helps trap moisture to keep skin soft and hydrated. Emulsifiers help prevent ingredients from separating.
This ingredient is common in oil-based products. This is because it helps oil-ingredients be easily washed away without leaving a residue.
Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Peg-20 Glyceryl TriisostearatePeg-10 Isostearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Synthetic Wax is created from fossil fuels such as natural gas. It is used to enhance texture, adjust pH, and as an occlusive.
It may also be used as an abrasive ingredient to exfoliate the skin.
Synthetic Wax may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxThis ingredient is the fixed oil extracted from seeds of the desert shrub Jojoba. It is more commonly known as jojoba oil. The seed oil is liquid wax ester from the plant. It is non-comedogenic.
Jojoba oil does not contain fragrance and has many fatty-acids, making it a great soothing ingredient. Jojoba contains Vitamin E, a great moisturizing ingredient. Vitamin E is also an antioxidant. Antioxidants help protect your skin against free-radical damage. This may help in anti-aging.
Jojoba seed oil is a humectant, meaning it helps draw moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
While jojoba has antibacterial properties, it is only able to kill some bacteria. It has also been shown to help in wound healing. Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns.
It is found to be similar to natural human skin sebum, so it has a great effect on dry skin. Jojoba oil may even help with regulating sebum production.
Although jojoba oil is non-comedogenic, we recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have any concerns.
Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Jojoba is native to the southwestern US.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.
In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.
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 WaterMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract comes from the Tea Tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, Myrtaceae. This tea tree is native to Australia.
Tea Leaf extract contains antimicrobial and anti-acne properties.
Tea tree extract is fragrant and contains volatiles such as linalool and limonene. These fragrance and terpinen components can cause skin sensitivity.
Learn more about the benefits of Tea Tree Oil here.
Learn more about Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf ExtractParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumWe don't have a description for Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract.
We don't have a description for Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract.
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid comes from salicylic acid, the famous acne-fighting BHA.
It usually goes by a more common name of LHA, or lipohydroxy acid.
Like salicylic acid, this ingredient is a chemical exfoliant that can help break down the oil in your pores and reduce inflammation.
Though studies for LHA do show it to be less effective than salicylic acid. To be fair, salicylic acid is the reigning monarch of acne treatments.
However, a study from 2009 found LHA to be comparable to BPO, making it a good alternative for people with sensitive skin. Another study of 14 patients found a significant decrease in comedones after using LHA.
Another pro of LHA? It is less irritating than salicylic acid due to its large molecule size.
Large molecules cannot penetrate skin as well, so they are gentler on the skin. LHA is much less penetrative than salicylic acid.
An in-vitro study (not done on a living organism) found only 6% of LHA penetrated past the statum corneum compared to 58% of salicylic acid. An in-vivo (done on a living organism) analysis revealed ~17% of LHA was still present in the top layer of skin after 4 days, versus ~9% of salicylic acid.
Interestingly, a study from 2008 found LHA comparable to another famous acid, glycolic acid.
This study found about 10% of LHA is as effective as 20-50% of glycolic acid in treating hyperpigmentation and fine-lines.
Hydroxy acids have been found to stimulate skin protein, lipids, and thermal thickening. This may have anti-aging benefits.
Learn more about Capryloyl Salicylic AcidSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
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 a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidDextrin is used to thicken a product and helps bind ingredients together. It is created from starch and glycogen.
As an emulsifier, dextrin prevents ingredients from separating. This helps elongate a product's shelf life.
Studies show coating UV filters with dextrin prevents these ingredients from being absorbed. This helps UV ingredients last longer on the skin.
Learn more about DextrinThis tea tree oil comes from the leaves of the Tea Tree plant. Tea tree oil has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
According to the book Journal of Profiles of Drug Substances, tea tree helps in reducing acne-causing bacteria such as Propionibacterium acnes. This is due to the Terpinen components of tea tree oil.
Tea tree may cause sensitivity and irritation for some people. This oil naturally contains fragrance such as linalool and limonene.
However, research shows irritation usually occurs when using pure tea tree oil and not in cosmetic products.
Tea tree oil was found to help relieve the symptoms of psoriasis in one study.
Tea tree oil is toxic when ingested. Another study showed it to caused damage to the nervous system of dogs and cats when applied to their skin or given orally.
Learn more about Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf OilCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells. Gluconolactone has not been found to increase sun sensivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneLactobacillus Ferment is created by fermenting the Lactobacillus bacteria. It helps keep our skin's natural barrier and microbiome healthy.
Studies show lactobacillus ferment to be effective at repairing the skin barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier helps keep your skin healthy and hydrated. It also protects against bad bacteria.
As a probiotic/prebiotic/postbiotic, Lactobacillus ferment can help regular our natural biome. In fact, one study found a lack of diversity in our natural skin biome can trigger acne.
Learn more about Lactobacillus Ferment4-Terpineol is the main component of tea tree oil. It has antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.
This ingredient is potent at killing bacteria, making it an effective acne treatment. According to the book Journal of Profiles of Drug Substances, it helps in reducing acne-causing bacteria such as Propionibacterium acnes.
While tea tree has been found to help soothe inflammation and redness, it can also cause sensitivity and irritation in some people.
Research shows irritation usually occurs when using pure oil and not from cosmetic products.
This ingredient can be derived from several parts of the tea tree plant: leaves, branches, and bark.
Learn more about 4-TerpineolReviews
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give it a try
i liked this cleansing balm. it goes second place on my list of favorite cleansing balms but this one was actually really good. i did...
give it a try
i liked this cleansing balm. it goes second place on my list of favorite cleansing balms but this one was actually really good. i did like that it came with a little scooper so i wouldn't spread bacteria from my hands when picking up product. it is a little hard to take off but it easily cleaned up all my makeup and dirt from my face. what i don't like is that it literally gets in my eyes when i get to the part where i have to take my mascara off but other than that, i like this. i would buy it again if it wasn't for the price.
DamDamfino
I was really late on the Banila Clean it Zero trend. I mean, I had heard of it for years but didn't buy it or try it until 2022.
Did it live up...
I was really late on the Banila Clean it Zero trend. I mean, I had heard of it for years but didn't buy it or try it until 2022.
Did it live up to the hype? Eh, maybe not?
I enjoy the tactile sensation of spreading a semi-solid around my face. I do like the idea of a cleansing balm a lot. Most of the time I rub this on my face before hopping into the shower to rinse it off, and having the product stay on my face without dripping off is very nice!
I use it as a sunscreen and makeup remover before my second cleanse. At that task, it does a great job. But I don't think I could use this on it's own.
I find it to be very drying to my skin after rinsing off. A weird, almost gritty dry feeling.
I appreciate including the spatula to make scooping out the product more hygienic, but the problem is...where do I put the spatula in between uses? I just wish there was a better solution that involved less hands and less washing, because having to unscrew the cap, remove the spatula from the clear plastic lid, remove the clear plastic lid, then scoop the product, replace lids, wash face...etc etc is actually quite annoying to do every day while trying to keep everything clean and hygienic. Screwing a lid back on when I have a handful of product is *not* my favorite thing to do. I wish there was just a built in storage option for the spatula or something. Maybe a screw top jar just isn't the greatest packaging - or, I'd just rather use my fingers to scoop out the product!
For the price, its actually very inexpensive and will last a long time since you don't need to use a lot each time. A little goes a long way... but scooping always lends itself to scooping a large amount. I find myself using more than I should/need more often than not.
Would I repurchase this? If I were in a bind, sure. But right now I'd rather try other cleansing balms to find one I like better.
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