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NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydrating Gel Facial Cleanser; Sensitive Skin Exfoliating Blackhead Remover; Pore Minimizer; Acne Face Wash Makeup Remover with Glycine for Collagen & Polyhydroxy Acid, 6.8 oz vs e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! e.l.f. Off Makeup Remover, Liquid Makeup Remover For Eye, Lip & Face Makeup, Gentle Formula, Vegan & Cruelty-free

NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydrating Gel Facial Cleanser; Sensitive Skin Exfoliating Blackhead Remover; Pore Minimizer; Acne Face Wash Makeup Remover with Glycine for Collagen & Polyhydroxy Acid, 6.8 oz vs e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! e.l.f. Off Makeup Remover, Liquid Makeup Remover For Eye, Lip & Face Makeup, Gentle Formula, Vegan & Cruelty-free

Side-by-side comparison of scores, ingredients, prices and real customer feedback for NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydrating Gel Facial Cleanser; Sensitive Skin Exfoliating Blackhead Remover; Pore Minimizer; Acne Face Wash Makeup Remover with Glycine for Collagen & Polyhydroxy Acid, 6.8 oz and e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! e.l.f. Off Makeup Remover, Liquid Makeup Remover For Eye, Lip & Face Makeup, Gentle Formula, Vegan & Cruelty-free.

Last verified: 07 Apr 2026 · Based on 21 reviews

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79.0

Quick Answer

NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydrating Gel Facial Cleanser; Sensitive Skin Exfoliating Blackhead Remover; Pore Minimizer; Acne Face Wash Makeup Remover with Glycine for Collagen & Polyhydroxy Acid, 6.8 oz scores 79.0/100 vs e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! e.l.f. Off Makeup Remover, Liquid Makeup Remover For Eye, Lip & Face Makeup, Gentle Formula, Vegan & Cruelty-free at 77.0/100. NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydrating Gel Facial Cleanser; Sensitive Skin Exfoliating Blackhead Remover; Pore Minimizer; Acne Face Wash Makeup Remover with Glycine for Collagen & Polyhydroxy Acid, 6.8 oz wins on effectiveness, ingredient quality, skin compatibility. e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! e.l.f. Off Makeup Remover, Liquid Makeup Remover For Eye, Lip & Face Makeup, Gentle Formula, Vegan & Cruelty-free is stronger on value for money.

How Do the Scores Compare?

NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydra...

e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration!...

	NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydra... NeoStrata	e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration!... e.l.f.
Overall Score	79.0	77.0
Effectiveness	78.0/100 Best	76.0/100
Ingredient Quality	83.0/100 Best	70.0/100
Skin Compatibility	90.0/100 Best	83.0/100
Texture & UX	80.0/100 Best	74.0/100
Value for Money	63.0/100	86.0/100 Best
Best Price	£42.55 Amazon UK →	£8.00 Amazon UK → Cheapest
Form	N/A	N/A
Dose	N/A	N/A
Third-Party Tested	✗ No	✗ No
Reviews Analysed	9	12

NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydrating ...

Pros

✓Soap-free and sulfate-free gel — preserves the acid mantle better than foaming cleansers
✓4% gluconolactone (PHA) provides gentle exfoliation and antioxidant protection, well-tolerated by sensitive and rosacea-prone skin
✓Exceptional long-term user loyalty (15+ years of repeat purchases reported) suggests genuine efficacy and safety profile
✓Very economical to use — reviewers confirm pea-sized amount is sufficient, making the bottle last significantly longer

Cons

✗Rinse-off format limits active exfoliating contact time — gluconolactone's full benefits are better delivered via leave-on serums or toners
✗Premium price point frequently cited; cost-per-use is moderate given the small amount needed
✗INCI list not provided for full comedogenicity and preservative audit
✗Not the best standalone solution for heavy makeup removal — works best as a second cleanse

Best For

sensitive and reactive skin acne-prone and combination skin rosacea-prone skin needing gentle exfoliation second-cleanse step after oil/balm cleanser those intolerant to AHAs (glycolic, lactic acid)

Amazon UK £42.55

View full review →

e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! e.l....

Pros

✓Highly effective on waterproof mascara — most reviewers report clean removal with minimal wiping
✓Exceptional tolerance on sensitive skin; ophthalmologist-tested and safe for contact lens wearers
✓Non-greasy, lightweight texture that doesn't leave a heavy film
✓Beneficial actives (squalane, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide) condition lashes and skin post-removal

Cons

✗Can leave a mild oily residue requiring a follow-up cleanser as part of double-cleansing
✗Less effective on non-waterproof formulas for some users; may require extended contact time (~20 seconds)
✗Full INCI not provided — impossible to fully assess surfactant type, preservative system, or fragrance status
✗Efficacy appears user-dependent — a small subset found it underwhelming vs. pharmacy-grade alternatives

Best For

sensitive and reactive skin including contact lens wearers waterproof mascara and long-wear eye makeup removal all skin types — dry, oily, combination, normal budget-conscious users seeking a gentle daily makeup remover first step in a double-cleanse routine

Amazon UK £8.00

View full review →

What does the data say about NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA ... vs e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydra...?

NeoStrata's PHA Gel Cleanser is a soap-free, rinse-off formulation built around 4% gluconolactone — a polyhydroxy acid known for its larger molecular size, slower skin penetration, and intrinsic humectant and antioxidant properties, making it considerably gentler than classic AHAs.

Effectiveness

NEOSTRATA RESTOR..

78.0/100

e.l.f. SKIN Holy..

76.0/100

Ingredient Quality

NEOSTRATA RESTOR..

83.0/100

e.l.f. SKIN Holy..

70.0/100

Skin Compatibility

NEOSTRATA RESTOR..

90.0/100

e.l.f. SKIN Holy..

83.0/100

Texture & UX

NEOSTRATA RESTOR..

80.0/100

e.l.f. SKIN Holy..

74.0/100

Value for Money

NEOSTRATA RESTOR..

63.0/100

e.l.f. SKIN Holy..

86.0/100

What are the key differences?

NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA H.. is best for: sensitive and reactive skin, acne-prone and combination skin

e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydrat.. is best for: sensitive and reactive skin including contact lens wearers, waterproof mascara and long-wear eye makeup removal

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydrating Gel Facial Cleanser; Sensitive Skin Exfoliating Blackhead Remover; Pore Minimizer; Acne Face Wash Makeup Remover with Glycine for Collagen & Polyhydroxy Acid, 6.8 oz or e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! e.l.f. Off Makeup Remover, Liquid Makeup Remover For Eye, Lip & Face Makeup, Gentle Formula, Vegan & Cruelty-free? ▼

NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydrating Gel Facial Cleanser; Sensitive Skin Exfoliating Blackhead Remover; Pore Minimizer; Acne Face Wash Makeup Remover with Glycine for Collagen & Polyhydroxy Acid, 6.8 oz scores 79.0/100 overall while e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! e.l.f. Off Makeup Remover, Liquid Makeup Remover For Eye, Lip & Face Makeup, Gentle Formula, Vegan & Cruelty-free scores 77.0/100. NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydrating Gel Facial Cleanser; Sensitive Skin Exfoliating Blackhead Remover; Pore Minimizer; Acne Face Wash Makeup Remover with Glycine for Collagen & Polyhydroxy Acid, 6.8 oz comes out ahead, scoring higher on effectiveness (78.0 vs 76.0). NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydratin is best suited for sensitive and reactive skin and acne-prone and combination skin. e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! e. is better for sensitive and reactive skin including contact lens wearers and waterproof mascara and long-wear eye makeup removal.

Is NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydrating Gel Facial Cleanser; Sensitive Skin Exfoliating Blackhead Remover; Pore Minimizer; Acne Face Wash Makeup Remover with Glycine for Collagen & Polyhydroxy Acid, 6.8 oz worth the price compared to e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! e.l.f. Off Makeup Remover, Liquid Makeup Remover For Eye, Lip & Face Makeup, Gentle Formula, Vegan & Cruelty-free? ▼

NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydrating Gel Facial Cleanser; Sensitive Skin Exfoliating Blackhead Remover; Pore Minimizer; Acne Face Wash Makeup Remover with Glycine for Collagen & Polyhydroxy Acid, 6.8 oz costs £42.55 while e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! e.l.f. Off Makeup Remover, Liquid Makeup Remover For Eye, Lip & Face Makeup, Gentle Formula, Vegan & Cruelty-free is £8.00. For value, NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydrating Gel Facial Cleanser; Sensitive Skin Exfoliating Blackhead Remover; Pore Minimizer; Acne Face Wash Makeup Remover with Glycine for Collagen & Polyhydroxy Acid, 6.8 oz scores 63.0/100 vs e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! e.l.f. Off Makeup Remover, Liquid Makeup Remover For Eye, Lip & Face Makeup, Gentle Formula, Vegan & Cruelty-free's 86.0/100. e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! e.l.f. Off Makeup Remover, Liquid Makeup Remover For Eye, Lip & Face Makeup, Gentle Formula, Vegan & Cruelty-free delivers better value relative to its quality.

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Disclaimer: AIScored provides data-driven comparisons based on publicly available reviews. This is not medical advice. Affiliate links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.

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