Believe Beauty Hydrating Gel Cream Versus Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer
Updated on July 17, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain peptides
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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
Believe Beauty Hydrating Gel Cream 25 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer 35 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Believe Beauty Hydrating Gel Cream 25 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer 35 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Cetearyl Olivate
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Squalane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Olivate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Cetearyl Olivate, Carbomer, Arginine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Tocopherol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-9, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Tripeptide-1
Water
Skin ConditioningEthyl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
SolventTriethylhexanoin
MaskingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Pumpkin Seedcake
Skin Protecting
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Prunus Serotina Fruit Extract
MaskingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Tripeptide-29
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
HumectantAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
EmollientArginine
Masking
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Isohexadecane
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Ethyl Macadamiate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Triethylhexanoin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root, Hydrolyzed Pumpkin Seedcake, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Prunus Serotina Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Tripeptide-29, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Adenosine, Lecithin, Arginine, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Isohexadecane, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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 WaterPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolGlycerin 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 GlycerinCetearyl 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 AlcoholCarbomer 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.
Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.
As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.
Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Believe Beauty Hydrating Gel Cream 25 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer 35 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Believe Beauty Hydrating Gel Cream 25 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer 35 ingredients
Sticky :(
This is the best, and most unproblematic moisturiser I have used. It is hydrating, fragrance free, oil free, alcohol free. However, powerful enough to do what I need it to. My skin has been so much better since using this. I have been using it for around a year. I always come back to it, no matter what else I try.
