Avène Akérat Smoothing Exfoliating Cream Versus Instituto Español Urea Skin Repair Cream
Updated on January 26, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe body lotions. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils
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Ingredient Info
Avène Akérat Smoothing Exfoliating Cream 14 ingredients
Instituto Español Urea Skin Repair Cream 27 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Avène Akérat Smoothing Exfoliating Cream 14 ingredients
Instituto Español Urea Skin Repair Cream 27 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Urea
Buffering
Water
Skin ConditioningParaffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Triethanolamine
BufferingMethyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emulsifying
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLactic Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylene Brassylate
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningUrea
Buffering
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
PEG-8 Distearate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantPEG-100 Stearate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Triethanolamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientTetrasodium EDTA
Cinnamal
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
3-Methyl-4-(2,4,6-Trimethyl-3-Cyclohexenyl)-3-Buten-2-One
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Methylpentenylcyclohexene Carbaldehyde
Perfuming
Water, Urea, Paraffinum Liquidum, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Isopropyl Myristate, PEG-8 Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Urea, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Allantoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Cinnamal, Citronellol, Limonene, Geraniol, 3-Methyl-4-(2,4,6-Trimethyl-3-Cyclohexenyl)-3-Buten-2-One, Linalool, Methylpentenylcyclohexene Carbaldehyde
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Urea is also called carbamide and is the diamide of carbonic acid. In cosmetics, urea is used to hydrate the skin. It also provides exfoliation in higher concentrations.
As a humectant, urea helps draw moisture from the air and from deep within the skin. This helps hydrate your skin. Studies show urea is an effective moisturizer for dry skin conditions. 40% urea is typical in medications for treating eczema and other skin conditions.
Urea has the strongest exfoliation effect in concentrations higher than 10%. It is a keratolytic agent, meaning it breaks down the keratin protein in the top layer of skin. This helps remove dead skin cells and flaking skin.
In medicine, urea has been shown to help increase the potency of other ingredients, such as fungal treatments.
Humans and animals use urea to metabolize nitrogen-containing compounds. Urea is highly soluble in water. Once dissolved, it is neither acidic nor alkaline.
Learn more about UreaWater. 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 WaterParaffinum Liquidum is also known as liquid paraffin. It is a type of highly refined mineral oil.
Like other oils, Paraffinum Liquidum has emollient properties. Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. By creating a barrier to trap moisture within, emollients help keep your skin hydrated.
Paraffinum Liquidum does not irritate the skin and is non-comedogenic.
Learn more about Paraffinum LiquidumPropylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolTriethanolamine is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
Learn more about TriethanolamineCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
Ingredient Ratings
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