La Mer The Cleansing Oil Versus Biossance Squalane + Antioxidant Cleansing Oil

La Mer The Cleansing Oil Versus Biossance Squalane + Antioxidant Cleansing Oil

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

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Polysorbate 85

Isononyl Isononanoate

Squalane

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

Sorbitan Trioleate

Algae Extract

Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil

Medicago Sativa Seed Powder

Helianthus Annuus Seedcake

Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal

Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil

Sodium Gluconate

Copper Gluconate

Calcium Gluconate

Magnesium Gluconate

Zinc Gluconate

Tocopheryl Succinate

Niacin

Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder

Laminaria Digitata Extract

Crithmum Maritimum Extract

Chlorella Vulgaris Extract

Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil

Maris Sal

Pearl Powder

Plankton Extract

Tocopheryl Acetate

Tourmaline

Glycerin

Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate

Silica

Isopropyl Palmitate

Quaternium-90 Bentonite

Propylene Carbonate

Parfum

Benzyl Salicylate

Linalool

Butylphenyl Methylpropional

Benzyl Benzoate

Limonene

Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone

Mica

CI 61565

CI 60725

CI 77891

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysorbate 85, Isononyl Isononanoate, Squalane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Sorbitan Trioleate, Algae Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Medicago Sativa Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Maris Sal, Pearl Powder, Plankton Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tourmaline, Glycerin, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate, Silica, Isopropyl Palmitate, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Propylene Carbonate, Parfum, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Mica, CI 61565, CI 60725, CI 77891

Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate

Hydrogenated Farnesene

Polyglyceryl-2 Sesquioleate

Triethylhexanoin

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil

Lavandula Angustifolia Oil

Rosa Moschata Seed Oil

Avena Sativa Kernel Oil

Oenothera Biennis Oil

Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil

Lavandula Hybrida Oil

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract

Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Tocopherol

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate, Squalane, Hydrogenated Farnesene, Polyglyceryl-2 Sesquioleate, Triethylhexanoin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Rosa Moschata Seed Oil, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Limonene, Linalool

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Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.

Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.

In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.

While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.

Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.

This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.

This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.

Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.

It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".

Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.

When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.

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.

Linalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.

Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.

This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.

Squalane is the hydrogenated and shelf-stable form of squalene (a lipid that naturally occurs in human sebum).

It is an emollient and skin conditioning agent that is able to integrate seamlessly into the skin's lipid barrier without clogging pores.

This is due to how structurally similar it is to what your skin already produces.

Though it is mostly an emollient that helps soften and hydrate skin, it also has some humectant and occlusive action. Humectants help the skin retain moisture while occlusives seal it in, making squalane a triple-threat moisturizer.

Research shows it has antioxidant capabilities that help protect against stressors like UV exposure, specifically UVA induced oxidative stress. This study also found that it supports collagen biosynthesis in human dermal fibroblasts.

No clinical study has reported significant adverse effects and irritation reactions are very rare from this ingredient (even at 100% concentration).

Overall, it's a fantastic ingredient for hydration and is suitable for all skin types.

This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.

Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.

Read more about squalene with an "e".

Though squalane is often called an oil, it’s technically not one. It is a hydrocarbon, meaning it is only made of carbon and hydrogen. True oils are triglycerides and made of fatty acids and glycerol.

The term “oil-free” isn’t regulated so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.

Squalane has a comedogenic rating of 1 from the original 1972 study that tested raw ingredients under occlusion on rabbit ears. This system is not standardized or peer-reviewed, and using the raw ingredients is very different from how diluted cosmetic formulations are used on human skin.

A comedogenic rating of 1 means it is "unlikely to clog pores" according to the original rating system.

The overall formula of a product matters more than the individual ingredients on whether or not it will cause clogged pores.

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