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Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream Versus La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Rich - Canada

General Moisturizer
General Moisturizer
French Brand France
French Brand France

Updated on December 02, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens, silicones or sulfates

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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
Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising

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
Buffering

Sodium 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 Hydroxide
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water

When to use

84 Routines
40% use in am
60% use in pm
92% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
138 Routines
51% use in am
49% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream 14 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Aliogrady's avatar

Aliogrady

2 years ago
Review

Extremely sensitive skin
This cream was my life saver! Anyone who is looking for a cream that won’t irritate dry skin this is the one! Any other cream I have tried it has caused irritation. This winter my skin barrier was completely broken. This provided instant relief. A great aleternative for people who need a replacement for the discontinued la Roche posay product ‘toleriane ultra creme Show more

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Rich 18 ingredients

3.9 /5
from 8 ratings
Works Well (4) Hydrating (4) Expensive (2)
mimika's avatar

Mika

7 months ago
Review

nice for my dry skin

#expensive
#hydrating
#light scent
#works well
danhowe's avatar

Dan Howe

6 months ago
Review

Nice basic moisturiser, didn't irritate my sensitive skin

#hydrating
#works well