BeautyBio The ZenBubble Gel Cream Versus Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer
Updated on July 26, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free general moisturizers. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, fragrances or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
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
BeautyBio The ZenBubble Gel Cream 25 ingredients
Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer 37 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
BeautyBio The ZenBubble Gel Cream 25 ingredients
Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer 37 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Saccharide Isomerate
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethicone/Phenyl Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLactic Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
SolventChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Chloride
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Microcrystalline Cellulose, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Tocopherol, Saccharide Isomerate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone/Phenyl Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Dipropylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Cellulose Gum, Lactic Acid, Propanediol, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Chloride
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Morus Bombycis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSaxifraga Sarmentosa Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lecithin
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Petrolatum
Emollient
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
PEG-20
HumectantPEG-150
HumectantPalmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
CI 77015
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Morus Bombycis Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dimethicone, Petrolatum, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, PEG-20, PEG-150, Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Propylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, CI 77015, CI 77891
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 WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinDimethicone 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 DimethiconeButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created stabilizer and solvent. It is a part of the glycol class in the alcohol family.
Dipropylene Glycol helps dissolve and evenly distribute ingredients. It also helps decrease viscosity and thin out texture.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisodium 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 EDTAPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
BeautyBio The ZenBubble Gel Cream 25 ingredients
Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer 37 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
BeautyBio The ZenBubble Gel Cream 25 ingredients
I suffered from dry skin that made other moisturizers feel like my skin was on fire during the colder months and this was one of the products that brought my skin back to life!!!! Became a holy grail. A little goes a long way and it’s easy to spread out. You can also add a serum to it as well for extra hydration!!
Although i love it, my only con is the price and i go through 2 bottles a year Show more
