Origins Checks and Balances Milky Oil

Origins Checks and Balances Milky Oil

Efficacy75/100IrritancyLow

Works for

Cleansing
Polysorbate 85
Can be harsh
What the product description says
“•Checks and Balances™ Milky Oil Cleanser + Makeup Melter is a bi-phase formula that turns into a milky cleanser and makeup remover with a quick shake of the bottle.”
Source: Origins

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin.

Keep in mind that cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.

Polysorbate 85Effect: High~2.6–4%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
5 flagged ingredients
Low risk
We flag 5 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Heptyl undecylenateHelps soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss from the skin surface over time and create a nice product finishMedium~3.8–5.7%est.
CaffeineMight be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyesMedium~0.5–1.2%est.
PhytosterolsLipids that work as an emollient and can be helpful in repairing skin barrier functionMedium~0.45–1.1%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.2–0.7%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.05–0.2%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
SqualeneAn oil that is naturally part of skin sebum that helps to soften its upper layer, reduce water loss and neutralize free radicals. It might be comedogenic. Avoid applying large concentrations (or pure oil) before sun exposure as oxidized squalene can clog pores and lead to skin irritation. Today squalene is mostly derived from vegetable oils or synthetized by yeast2/5~0.55–1.25%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Glycerin~22–33%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin
Oryza sativa bran oil~4.5–6.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant properties

More about Oryza sativa bran oil
Water~4.4–6.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Heptyl undecylenate~3.8–5.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss from the skin surface over time and create a nice product finish

More about Heptyl undecylenate
Polysorbate 85~2.6–4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Polysorbate 85
C9-12 alkane~2–3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps dissolve other ingredients in a formulation

More about C9-12 alkane
Squalane~1.7–2.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.

More about Squalane
C13-15 alkane~1.1–1.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps dissolve other ingredients in the formula

More about C13-15 alkane
Prunus amygdalus dulcis seed~0.9–1.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Prunus amygdalus dulcis seed
Avena sativa kernel extract~0.9–1.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Reduces irritationMoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryReduces rednessAnti-oxidation

An effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties

More about Avena sativa kernel extract
Caffeine~0.5–1.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
De-puffingAnti-oxidation

Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes

More about Caffeine
Sorbitol~0.5–1.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture

More about Sorbitol
Squalene~0.55–1.25%
Comedogenic 2/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

An oil that is naturally part of skin sebum that helps to soften its upper layer, reduce water loss and neutralize free radicals. It might be comedogenic. Avoid applying large concentrations (or pure oil) before sun exposure as oxidized squalene can clog pores and lead to skin irritation. Today squalene is mostly derived from vegetable oils or synthetized by yeast

More about Squalene
Phytosterols~0.45–1.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Lipids that work as an emollient and can be helpful in repairing skin barrier function

More about Phytosterols
Elaeis guineensis oil~0.4–0.95%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Elaeis guineensis oil
Tocopherol~0.2–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-agingAnti-inflammatoryMoisturizing

Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself

More about Tocopherol
Caprylyl glycol~0.2–0.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Butylene glycol~0.1–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Butylene glycol
Tocotrienols~0.1–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-aging

A type of vitamin E that is more powerful in neutralizing free radicals compared to its other forms

More about Tocotrienols
Citric acid~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Sodium benzoate~0.05–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate
Ingredient list view

Glycerin, Oryza sativa bran oil, Water, Heptyl undecylenate, Polysorbate 85, C9-12 alkane, Squalane, C13-15 alkane, Prunus amygdalus dulcis seed, Avena sativa kernel extract, Caffeine, Sorbitol, Squalene, Phytosterols, Elaeis guineensis oil, Tocopherol, Caprylyl glycol, Butylene glycol, Tocotrienols, Citric acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium benzoate

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

Amazon USPrice as of 11/14 12:00 GMT
$33.00
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Origins1.7 fl oz
$33.00
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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
OriginsChecks and Balances Milky OilYOUR PRODUCTNapoleon PerdisRebirth Of Venus Skin Renewal Cleansing OilAveenoDaily Care Baby Wipes x72WHOMEEAmino Face Wash
Match—28%26%26%
Price$33.00$26.46−$6.54$2.90−$30.10$26.97−$6.03
Shared key ingredients—2 of 112 of 114 of 11
Key difference——Polyglyceryl-2 DipolyhydroxystearateCeramide Np
Irritancy Low Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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More alternatives: RéVive Melting Cleanser / Makeup Removing WashGlossier Milky Jelly Cleansing Balm & Makeup Remover

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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.

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Origins Checks and Balances Milky Oil
OriginsChecks and Balances Milky Oil

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.