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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 versus Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 .

Last updated on September 14, 2023. Published on September 18, 2022

Overview

Cool Features

They both contain SPF

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and sensitive skin

Free From

They both do not contain any oils or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances and silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

General Moisturizer American Brand United States
Day Moisturizer American Brand United States

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

Day Moisturizer

Day Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin during the daytime.

Price

Shop

Buy Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15

Shop

Buy Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15

Starts at $14.99

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
15
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
15

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (4)
Mineral UV Filter
Exfoliators

Benefits

Hydrating
Reduces Irritation
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (5)
Eczema (6)

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (3)

Benefits

Hydrating
Reduces Irritation
Brightening

Concerns

Drying (3)
May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (4)
Eczema (4)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.

Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.

Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.

However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.

Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!

The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.

Learn more about Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 1.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Disliked

Ethylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.

Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.

The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.

According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.

Learn more about Ethylhexyl Salicylate

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 3.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Water. 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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 5.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 4.

4
What it does: Antimicrobial, Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.

As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.

This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.

Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 6.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 5.

5
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Cetearyl 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 Alcohol

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 7.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 6.

6
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 8.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 7.

7
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Phenyl Trimethicone is a silicon-based polymer. It is derived from silica.

Phenyl Trimethicone is used as an emollient and prevents products from foaming.

As an emollient, it helps trap moisture in the skin. It is considered an occlusive.

Learn more about Phenyl Trimethicone

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 10.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 12.

8
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Glycerin

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 11.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 9.

9
What it does: Emollient, Emulsion Stabilising
Community Rating: Very Disliked

We don't have a description for Arachidyl Alcohol.

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 12.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 11.

10
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Disliked

Cetearyl Glucoside is a surfactant and emulsifier. It can be produced from synthetic of natural sources of cetearyl alcohol and glucose.

Emulsifiers help prevent ingredients from separating, such as oils and waters. It can also be used to enhance the texture of products.

As a surfactant, Cetearyl Glucoside helps during the cleansing process. By gathering all the dirt and oils, it allows these molecules to be washed away easily.

Learn more about Cetearyl Glucoside

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 13.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 14.

11
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 14.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 13.

12
What it does: Perfuming, Preservative, Solvent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.

Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.

Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.

Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.

Other types of astringent alcohols include:

According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.

Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.

Learn more about Benzyl Alcohol

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 15.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 16.

13
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Panthenol (also referred to as pro-vitamin B5) is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin.

lt is a humectant, meaning that it helps the skin attract and retain moisture.

Another benefit is the anti-inflammatory abilities. This means that it's great for sensitive, irritation-prone skin.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

Learn more about Panthenol

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 16.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 15.

14
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising

We don't have a description for Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer.

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 17.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 17.

15
What it does: Emollient, Emulsion Stabilising
Community Rating: Disliked

A type of fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as traditional alcohols.

Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.

Behenyl Alcohol is usually derived from the fats in vegetable oils.

In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.

Learn more about Behenyl Alcohol

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 18.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 19.

16
What it does: Emulsifying

Steareth-2 is a waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients. It is created from polyethylene glycol and stearyl alcohol.

The 2 stands for the number of ethylene oxide units used to create this ingredient.

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 19.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 20.

17
What it does: Masking, Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give aroma to products. Parfum, or fragrance, can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "Parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.

In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'. 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. One example is Calendula flower extract. Essential oil ingredients still impart a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, it can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Products use parfum often to give products a scent or cover up smells of different ingredients.

The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.

Learn more about Parfum

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 20.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 23.

18
What it does: Cleansing, Emulsifying

We don't have a description for Steareth-21.

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 21.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 22.

19
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Polyacrylamide is a synthetic polymer. It is used to stabilize products and bind ingredients. When hydrated, Polyacrylamide forms a soft gel.

Polyacrylamide is low-toxicity. If source properly, it is deemed safe to use in cosmetics.

It should be noted the precursor to Polyacrylamide is acrylamide. Acrylamide is a carcinogen. Most reputable sources of Polyacrylamide will screen for residual acrylamide to make sure the count is in a safe range. Acrylamide is not able to be absorbed through the skin.

We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.

Learn more about Polyacrylamide

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 23.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 24.

20
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Disliked

We don't have a description for Arachidyl Glucoside.

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 24.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 25.

21
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Disodium 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 EDTA

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 25.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 26.

22
What it does: Emollient, Solvent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

C13-14 Isoparaffin is created from petroleum-based mineral oils. It is an emollient and helps thicken a product.

As an emollient, it helps keep the skin soft and smooth by creating a barrier on top. This barrier traps moisture in, keeping the skin hydrated.

C13-14 Isoparaffin may not be fungal-acne safe.

Learn more about C13-14 Isoparaffin

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 26.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 28.

23
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Laureth-7 is created by the ethoxylation of lauryl alcohol using ethylene oxide. Lauryl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with hydrating properties.

Laureth-7 is an emulsifier and cleansing ingredient. As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps cleanse the skin by gathering dirt, oil, and pollutants to be rinsed away.

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 27.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 31.

24
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate is a preservative.

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 30.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 36.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

9% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
74% are disliked or very disliked
9% have no rating yet
16% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
68% are disliked or very disliked
16% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 35 ingredients

Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 38 ingredients

2.0 /5
from 1 review
cgi's Avatar'
Jan 27, 2024

Not my favorite
This was my first moisturizer. For my personal preferences, I’m not too fond of this one. Many people say it’s light-weight, and it was at first, but over time it started to feel very heavy and greasy on my skin to the...

Not my favorite
This was my first moisturizer. For my personal preferences, I’m not too fond of this one. Many people say it’s light-weight, and it was at first, but over time it started to feel very heavy and greasy on my skin to the point where I just used it as hand lotion. And sometimes, not everyday, it irritated my skin. It felt a little tingly sometimes. It’s also not clear, it has a white cast when you apply it on and it takes like 30 minutes to absorb so I had to walk around looking like a pale zombie. It also did not have enough moisture even though I have very oily skin, so in the day I felt like my face was burning. I even used extra SPF to top it off but I felt like sweating all the time? I also broke out more due to the greasy feel. It was a weird experience, but if you’re reading this review it really doesn’t hurt to try this moisturizer! It’s not bad for sensitive skin, but if you don’t want to feel heavy during the day, I really don’t recommend this.

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