Dr Sam’s Flawless Cleanser Versus Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
Dr Sam’s Flawless Cleanser Versus Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm This gel cleanser uses mild cleansing ingredients, but contains alcohol that may feel drying for some. This oil-based makeup remover is made to dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and daily buildup.
Dr Sam’s Flawless Cleanser Versus Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
This gel cleanser uses mild cleansing ingredients, but contains alcohol that may feel drying for some.
This oil-based makeup remover is made to dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and daily buildup.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Poloxamer 188
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polysorbate 20
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Phenoxyethanol
Tocopheryl Acetate
Benzyl Alcohol
Citric Acid
Allantoin
Disodium EDTA
Dehydroacetic Acid
BHT
Water, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Poloxamer 188, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Benzyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Dehydroacetic Acid, BHT
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
PEG-8 Beeswax
Cetearyl Alcohol
Sorbitan Stearate
Sambucus Nigra Oil
PEG-60 Almond Glycerides
Silica
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil
Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Wax
Glycerin
Lecithin
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Linalool
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Geraniol
Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
Rosa Multiflora Flower Wax
Tocopherol
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen
Limonene
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Parfum
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Menthol
Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
Citral
Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, PEG-8 Beeswax, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Stearate, Sambucus Nigra Oil, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Silica, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Wax, Glycerin, Lecithin, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Linalool, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Geraniol, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Rosa Multiflora Flower Wax, Tocopherol, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen, Limonene, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Parfum, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Menthol, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Citral, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is derived from caprylic and capric acids. It is an emulsifier with emollient properties.
According to the manufacturer, it is hydrophilic and soluble in aqueous solutions (water). They also state this ingredient is stable in a medium pH range (~5 - 8).
As an emulsifier, it helps make oils and oil-soluble ingredients more soluble in water.
Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.