Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Ageless Daily

Cleansing Pads (28 in each container)

Water1, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin2, Decyl Glucoside, PPG 2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide3, PEG 16 Soy Sterol4,
Polysorbate 205, Ganoderma Lucidum Stem Extract (Mushroom)6, Glycine Soja Protein (Soybean)7, Phenoxyethanol,
Disodium Lauroamphodiacetate8, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Coco PG Dimonium Chloride Phosphate 9, Fragrance (Parfum),
Tetrasodium EDTA10, Sodium Citrate11, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Algae (Seaweed) Extract12, Ethylparaben13, PEG
14M, Lentinus Edodes Extract14, May Contain (+/-): Citric Acid15

1
Water is essential to human and other life forms. By flushing out toxins and impurities, water can make your skin clearer,
smoother and younger looking.
2
Glycerin (or glycerine) also known as glycerol is a colorless, odorless, viscous liquid that is widely used in pharmaceutical
formulations. Glycerol is sweet-tasting and of low toxicity. It is used in cosmetics to hold moisture against the skin and prevent
dryness. It’s good for people with oily skin.
3
PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide is the organic compound that conforms generally to the formula: where RCO- represents the fatty
acids derived from coconut oil and n has an average value of 2. It creates lots of mild, coconut based cleansing lather in shampoos
and body washes.
4
PEG-16 Soy Sterol is a waxy solid. In cosmetics and personal care products, PEG Soy Sterol ingredients are used in the formulation
of moisturizers, skin care and cleansing products, shampoos, and eye and facial makeup. It enhances the appearance of dry or
damaged skin by reducing flaking and restoring suppleness.
5
Polysorbate 20 also known as Tween 20 is a polysorbate surfactant whose stability and relative non-toxicity allows it to be used as a
detergent and emulsifier. It is used to dissolve essential oils into water without the use of alcohol. It is derived from Lauric Acid
(from Coconut Oil) and helps to build lather as well as stabilize perfumes in water based preparations.
6
Ganoderma lucidum also known as Reishi or Lingzhi has been used as a medicinal mushroom in traditional Chinese medicine for
more than 4,000 years. The word lingzhi, in Chinese, means “herb of spiritual potency” and has also been described as “mushroom
of immortality”. It is shown to improve skin tightness and firmness as it diminishes the appearance of pores.
7
The wild ancestor of the soybean is Glycine soja (previously called G. ussuriensis), a legume native to central China. The soybean
has been used in China for 5,000 years as a food and component of drugs. It helps the skin to defend against symptoms of
accelerated aging.
8
Disodium Lauroamphodiacetate is a derivate of coconut oil. Like Lauroamphoglycinate, Disodium Lauroamphodiacetate is a mild
amphoteric surfactant. This type of cleansing agent is less harsh to the skin and hair than a cationic surfactant would be. Cationic
surfactants (which are used in some shampoos) are similar to the kinds of detergents that are often used in household cleaning
products and dishwashing liquids.
9
Sodium coco sulfate is derived from pure coconut oil. It leaves the skin and hair with conditioned feel. Sodium Cocamidopropyl
PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate is categorized as a hair conditioning agent and foam booster. There is speculation that it is a
preservative or may enhance the cleansing power of a formula or provide a moisturizing effect.
10
Tetrasodium EDTA is a chelating agent for metallic ions. It is white, solid and very soluble in water. It reacts with many metallic
ions (ie. Iron, zinc, calcium) to form soluble chelates. It is widely used to dissolve scale.
11
Sodium Citrate, sometimes referred to as trisodium citrate, possesses a saline, mildly tart flavor. As a conjugate base of weak acid,
citrate can perform as a buffering agent, resisting changes in pH. It is used to control acidity in some substances.
12
Algae extract (from sea plants) is rich in minerals and vital nutrients, nourishes, softens and helps skin retain moisture. It is
claimed to prevent wrinkles. It promotes skin hydration as well as tightening of the skin and has anti-inflammatory properties. It
contains vitamins A, C and E and activates the forming of collagen and elastin.
13
Ethylparaben is a synthetic and microbial preservative. It penetrates the stratum corneum and the salts of this paraben can be
used in the formulation of cosmetics and personal care products.
14
Lentinus edodes extract is the most studied medicinal mushrooms extract in the Orient. This mushroom is better known by its
culinary name as “Shiitake”. It’s known for its immune boosting and anti-bacterial properties.
15
Citric acid (or Vitamin C) is a weak organic acid. It is a natural preservative and can be used as an environmentally benign cleaning
agent. It serves as the source of skin rejuvenation and is commonly used in hair and skincare products. It has astringent and
antioxidant properties.
Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti-Aging Cleanser
(30 in each container)
PEG 10016, Sucrose Polycottonseedate17, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate18, C10 30
Cholesterol/Lanesterol Esters19, Cyclodextrin20, Butylene Glycol, Petrolatum21, Polyethylene22, PEG 14M, Tribehenin23,
Fragrance (Parfum), Polyquaternium 1024, Synthetic Beeswax25, Panthenol26, Tocopheryl Acetate27, Phenoxyethanol,
Benzyl Alcohol28, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Disodium EDTA29, L Menthol30

16
PEG-100 stearate is derived from palm oil and stearic acid. It is used as a thickener and emulsifier. It is an excellent antiseptic,
astringent and anti-inflammatory agent that helps sooth irritated skin.
17
Sucrose polycottonseedate consists of sucrose, also known as table sugar, and is combined with various specific fatty acids. Its
main purpose is conditioning and softening skin and hair.
18
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate cleans the skin and hair by helping water to mix with oil and dirt so that they can be rinsed away. It’s
also used as a foaming and cleansing agent.
19
C10-30 cholesterol lanosterol esters are a blend of cholesterol and fatty acid ester from lanolin. It functions as a skin conditioning
agent. Esters are ubiquitous; many naturally occurring fats and oils are the fatty acid esters of glycerol.
20
Cyclodextrins are a group of structurally related natural products formed during bacterial digestion of cellulose. In cosmetics
they’re mainly used as solubilizing agents to increase water-solubility of lipophilic compounds. They can be used to convert liquids to
solid powders, to reduce local irritation and to prevent skin absorption of topically applied compounds.
21
Petrolatum is a yellowish, semi-solid waxy petroleum commonly known as petroleum jelly, paraffin jelly or Vaseline. It is used in
creams to soften and sooth the skin. It forms a film on your skin in order to prevent moisture loss.
22
Polyethylene glycol is a softening ingredient used in cosmetic creams. It is a water soluble derivative of cetyl alcohol and is used as
an emollient, conditioning agent and emulsifier.
23
Tribehenim also known as glyceryl tribehanate, is a skin conditioning agent that is a mixture of glycerin and behenic acid. It is
found in animal and vegetable fats and oils such as tallow, palm-nut and coconut oils.
24
Polyquaternium-10 is a white granular powder with a characteristic amine odor. It is used mainly in the formulation of hair care
products, lotions and makeup. It can reduce static electricity and enhances the appearance and feel of hair.
25
Synthetic Beeswax is a manufactured wax that helps keep emulsions from separating into their oil and liquid components. It
lessens the brittleness of stick products and adds strength and stability to lipsticks. It is a blend of low molecular weight polymers of
ethylene. The properties of it resemble beeswax.
26
Panthenol is the alcohol analog of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) and is thus a provitamin of B5. It is a highly viscous transparent
liquid at room temperature, but salts of pantothenic acid are powders. It is soluble in water, alcohol and propylene glycol, soluble in
ether and chloroform and slightly soluble in glycerin. It has moisturizing properties and serves as a humectant, emollient and
moisturizer. It has good skin penetration and is used for treatment of sunburns, mild burns and minor skin disorders. It improves
hydration, reduces itching and inflammation of the skin and accelerates and improves healing of epidermal wounds.
27
Tocopheryl acetate also known as vitamin E acetate is a common vitamin supplement with molecular formulation. It is believed
that the acetate is slowly hydrolyzed once it is absorbed into the skin, regenerating tocopherol and providing protection against the
sun’s ultraviolet rays.
28
Benzyl alcohol is a colorless liquid with a mild pleasant aromatic odor. It is a useful solvent and partially soluble in water. It is used
as a general solvent for inks, paints, lacquers and epoxy resin coatings. It is also a precursor to a variety of esters, used in the soap,
perfume and flavor industries. It is often added to intravenous medication solutions as a preservative.
29
Disodium EDTA is frequently found in ingredients lists for personal care products, manufactured food and beverages, cleaning
supplies, cosmetics and skin care products. It primarily works as a preservative, chelator and stabilizer, but has also been shown to
enhance the foaming and cleaning capabilities of a cosmetic solution. As a metal chelator, it counteracts the adverse effects of hard
water by binding with heavy metal ions contained in tap water, which in turn prevents the metals from being deposited onto the
skin, hair and scalp.
30
Menthol is an organic compound made synthetically or obtained from peppermint or other mint oils. It is widely used to relieve
minor throat irritation. It has a cooling effect on the skin and gives a deep penetrating sensation. It is mainly used for its antiseptic
properties.
Both Contain These Similar Ingredients
Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a synthetic surfactant derived from coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine. It is a
viscous pale yellow transparent liquid and is used as a surfactant in bath products such as shampoos and hand soaps,
and in cosmetics as an emulsifying agent and thickener, and to reduce irritation purely ionic surfactants would cause.
Cocamidopropyl betaine is a medium strength surfactant which most often does not irritate skin or mucous
membranes.

Decyl Glucoside is a mild non-ionic surfactant used in cosmetic formularies including baby shampoo and in products for
individuals with a sensitive skin. Many natural personal care companies use this cleanser because it is plant-derived,
biodegradable, and gentle for all hair types.

Phenoxyethanol is an organic chemical compound, a glycol ether often used in dermatological products such as skin

creams and sunscreen. It is a colorless oily liquid. It is a bactericide (usually used in conjunction with quaternary
ammonium compounds), often used in place of sodium azide in biological buffers as 2-phenoxyethanol is less toxic and
non-reactive with copper and lead. It is used in many applications such as cosmetics, vaccines, and pharmaceuticals as a
preservative.

Butylene Glycol is a common humectant and solubilizer used in cosmetic and food preparations. Glycol’s have extremely
wide variations in toxicity that match their many applications in a variety of consumer products. Ethylene glycol is very
well known as automobile anti-freeze. Ethylene glycol is also teratogenic and a possible bone marrow depressant. The
very similar propylene glycol has none of the same toxicity associated with ethylene glycol. It is both a skin irritant and a
sensitizer.

Fragrance (Parfum) is a mixture of fragrant essential oils and aroma compounds, fixatives, and solvents used to give the

human body, animals, objects, and living spaces a pleasant scent.

Methylparaben is an anti-fungal and anti-irritant agent often used in hair gels, and is a water soluble anti-microbial. The
compound is often found in carpules of local anesthetic, acting as a bacteriostatic agent and preservative. It is very
commonly used as a preservative for cosmetics, drugs and food items. A lot of times, methylparaben is used in skincare
and beauty products for rejuvenation purposes.

Propylparaben is a preservative typically found in many water-based cosmetics, such as creams, lotions, shampoos and
bath products. It is a white crystalline solid that is frequently used in cosmetics, skin care products and food. It can
irritate eyes, skin, intestinal and respiratory tracts upon contact, ingestion, and inhalation, respectively. It is also
combustible.
PEG is an abbreviation for polyethylene glycol. The number in the name is the average number of units, or monomers, of
ethylene glycol. The letter "M" associated with the number stands for 1000, so PEG-14M has an average of 14,000 units
of ethylene glycol. It’s used in a wide variety of products including bath products, shaving products, skin care products,
makeup, skin cleansing products, shampoo, hair conditioners and deodorants.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I find the Aveeno Positively Ageless Daily Cleansing Pads to be the better product. The list of ingredients is
clearly a better choice and more natural than the list of ingredients found in the Olay Total Effects Facial Cleansing
Cloths. Though Olay is a few dollars cheaper, it’s worth paying more for Aveeno in order to get the best for your skin.
The red text is items that you may want to be leery of. Remember, your face is the first thing that most people will
notice about you; you want it to look as flawless as possible!

Sources
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Drugs.com - http://www.drugs.com/
eHow - http://www.ehow.com/
European Cyclodextrin Society - http://www.eurocdsoc.com/index.php
Google – http://google.com
Made In China - http://www.made-in-china.com/
Making Cosmetics - http://www.makingcosmetics.com/
MiMi.hu - http://en.mimi.hu/index.html
Nu Skin - http://www.nuskin.com/
Paula’s Choice - http://www.cosmeticscop.com/index.aspx
ReealSelf - http://www.realself.com/
Skin Deep - http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/
SpecialChem - http://www.specialchem4cosmetics.com/
Truth in Aging - http://truthinaging.com/
Wikipedia - http://www.wikipedia.org/
WillPowder - http://willpowder.net/index.html