Avène Cicalfate+ Repairing Protective Cream Versus Medik8 Ultimate Recovery
Updated on July 26, 2024
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin and brightening skin
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens or parabens
What's Inside
They both contain oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Avène Cicalfate+ Repairing Protective Cream 17 ingredients
Medik8 Ultimate Recovery 48 ingredients
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Avène Cicalfate+ Repairing Protective Cream 17 ingredients
Medik8 Ultimate Recovery 48 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
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This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Ingredients Side-by-side
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.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
2 Concerns
Paraffinum Liquidum is also known as liquid paraffin. It is a type of highly refined mineral oil.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
2 Concerns
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil is created by adding hydrogen to vegetable oil in order to give it more stability. This process also raises the melting point of vegetable oil. In cosmetics, it is an emollient.
Helps fight Acne Non-Reef-Safe
Zinc Oxide is a mineral broad-spectrum UV filter; it is the broadest UVA and UVB reflector approved by the FDA. While it is most commonly man-made for cosmetics, it can naturally occur in zincite, a rare mineral.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Polyglyceryl-2 Sesquiisostearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Cera alba is beeswax, or the wax used by bees to make honeycombs. It is a texture-enhancer and emollient. A study from 2003 found beeswax to be a stronger emollient than ingredients such as petroleum jelly.
Magnesium Stearate is a salt that is 2 parts stearic acid and 1 part magnesium.
Magnesium Sulfate is a salt. It can be naturally found in sea water or mineral deposits.
Cera Microcristallina isn't fungal acne safe.
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Paraffinum Liquidum, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Zinc Oxide, Propylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-2 Sesquiisostearate, Peg-22/Dodecyl Glycol Copolymer, Aluminum Sucrose Octasulfate, Aluminum Stearate, Cera Alba, Copper Sulfate, Magnesium Stearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Cera Microcristallina, Zinc Sulfate
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.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Not safe for Fungal Acne
This ingredient is the fixed oil extracted from seeds of the desert shrub Jojoba. It is more commonly known as jojoba oil. The seed oil is liquid wax ester from the plant. It is non-comedogenic.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
Cera Microcristallina isn't fungal acne safe.
Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.
This ingredient is a high molecular weight silicone. It has emulsifying and skin conditioning properties.
Jojoba Esters is a wax created from Jojoba oil. It is an emollient and film-forming ingredient. In bead form, it is an exfoliator.
Not safe for Fungal Acne
Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.
2 Concerns
Petrolatum is more commonly known as petroleum jelly. It is created by mixing waxes and mineral oils.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Oil Not safe for Fungal Acne
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil is the INCI name for castor oil.
2 Concerns
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil is created by adding hydrogen to vegetable oil in order to give it more stability. This process also raises the melting point of vegetable oil. In cosmetics, it is an emollient.
Helps fight Acne Non-Reef-Safe
Zinc Oxide is a mineral broad-spectrum UV filter; it is the broadest UVA and UVB reflector approved by the FDA. While it is most commonly man-made for cosmetics, it can naturally occur in zincite, a rare mineral.
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.
Antioxidant Helps brighten skin
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
Not safe for Fungal Acne
Sesame oil comes from sesame seeds. Sesame oil is rich in fatty acids and Vitamin E.
Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
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.
5 Concerns
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Arnica Montana Flower is more commonly known as Wolf's Bane. While this flower has been used in traditional medicine, its skin benefits are in question.
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Caffeine is most associated with coffee, tea, and cacao. In skincare, it helps with calming inflammation and anti-aging.
Acacia Decurrens Flower Cera isn't fungal acne safe.
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate is an emulsifer and emollient. It comes from Isostearic Acid and Polyglycerin-3.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
May worsen Eczema
Benzoic Acid is used to preserve and adjust the pH of products.
Dehydroacetic Acid is fungicide and bactericide. It is used as a preservative in cosmetics. Preservatives help elongate the shelf life of a product.
EGCG is most famous for being found in green tea. It is a type of catechin, a potent antioxidant.
Camellia Sinensis Polyphenols comes from the tea plant. This plant gives us the kind of tea we drink, such as green tea and black tea.
1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.
Beta-Glucan is a polysaccharide. It can be derived from the cell walls of seaweed, oats, yeast, and fungi.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
Camellia Sinensis Extract is from the oil in tea plant leaves. The leaves give us various types of tea: green, black, oolong, and white.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
4 Benefits 2 Concerns
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Cera Microcristallina, Squalane, Cetyl Peg/Ppg-10/1 Dimethicone, Jojoba Esters, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Petrolatum, Propylene Glycol, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Saccharide Isomerate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera, Zinc Oxide, Dimethicone, Methoxy Peg-22/Dodecyl Glycol Copolymer, Peg-12 Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol Denat., Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Caffeine, Acacia Decurrens Flower Cera, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Polyglycerin-3, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Potassium Sorbate, Benzoic Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Dehydroacetic Acid, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Camellia Sinensis Polyphenols, 1,2-Hexanediol, Beta-Glucan, Caprylyl Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
Within a product, Caprylic Triglyceride can thicken the product and make spreadability easier by dissolving clumping compounds. An added benefit of Caprylic Triglyceride is its antioxidant properties.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Caprylic Triglyceride has not been found to be toxic for human use in concentrations under 50%.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycerin 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 GlycerinHydrogenated Vegetable Oil is created by adding hydrogen to vegetable oil in order to give it more stability. This process also raises the melting point of vegetable oil. In cosmetics, it is an emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
The term "Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil" is an umbrella term and can refer to a variety of vegetable oils and blends of: sunflower oil, soybean oil, olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, and more.
Due to the differences in vegetables, the benefits may vary.
Learn more about Hydrogenated Vegetable OilZinc Oxide is a mineral broad-spectrum UV filter; it is the broadest UVA and UVB reflector approved by the FDA. While it is most commonly man-made for cosmetics, it can naturally occur in zincite, a rare mineral.
Today, traditional and nano-sized zinc oxide can be found in beauty products. Nano-sized zinc oxide can enhance a product's UV protection. While it is not believed to have a negative effect on skin, nano-zinc oxide can be harmful to coral reefs.
More about harmful reef ingredients here.
Zinc Oxide also has antibacterial and calming properties. It is not water soluble.
Zinc has been used throughout history as an ingredient in paint and medicine. An Indian text from 500BC is believed to list zinc oxide as a salve for open wound. The Ancient Greek physician Dioscorides has also mentioned the use of zinc as an ointment in 1AD.
Learn more about Zinc OxidePropylene 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 deliver a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolCera Microcristallina isn't fungal acne safe.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Avène Cicalfate+ Repairing Protective Cream 17 ingredients
Medik8 Ultimate Recovery 48 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Avène Cicalfate+ Repairing Protective Cream 17 ingredients
anitititi
I use it to relieve itching and redness on my face and body. As a spot treatment, it works well, but I wouldn't recommend it for all-over...
I use it to relieve itching and redness on my face and body. As a spot treatment, it works well, but I wouldn't recommend it for all-over moisturizing.
