Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer Salicylic Acid Versus Clean & Clear Essentials Dual Action Moisturizer
Updated on December 11, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both general moisturizers. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin and reducing pores
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
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Ingredient Info
Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer Salicylic Acid 24 ingredients
Clean & Clear Essentials Dual Action Moisturizer 21 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer Salicylic Acid 24 ingredients
Clean & Clear Essentials Dual Action Moisturizer 21 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 0.5%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Methyl Gluceth-20
HumectantPPG-10 Cetyl Ether
Skin Conditioning
Bis-Phenylpropyl Dimethicone
Arachidyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Isoceteth-20
Emulsifying
Polyacrylamide
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingC13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid 0.5%, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Methyl Gluceth-20, PPG-10 Cetyl Ether, Bis-Phenylpropyl Dimethicone, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Glycerin, Isoceteth-20, Polyacrylamide, Cetearyl Glucoside, Arachidyl Glucoside, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Parfum, Laureth-7, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid
Salicylic Acid 0.5%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Gluceth-20
HumectantAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentCeteth-10 Phosphate
CleansingDicetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSteareth-20
CleansingSteareth-2
EmulsifyingNeopentyl Glycol Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Menthyl Lactate
MaskingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Salicylic Acid 0.5%, Water, Dicaprylyl Ether, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Dimethicone, Panthenol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Steareth-20, Steareth-2, Neopentyl Glycol Diisostearate, Xanthan Gum, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Menthyl Lactate, Titanium Dioxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeMethyl Gluceth-20 is a humectant. Humectants help draw moisture from the air to your skin.
It is created by combining polyethylene glycol with glucose.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTASodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer Salicylic Acid 24 ingredients
Clean & Clear Essentials Dual Action Moisturizer 21 ingredients
