Burt's Bees Skin Balancing Gel Cream Versus Clearstem Skincare Hydraglow Stem Cell Moisturizer
Updated on April 17, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates
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
Burt's Bees Skin Balancing Gel Cream 29 ingredients
Clearstem Skincare Hydraglow Stem Cell Moisturizer 27 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Burt's Bees Skin Balancing Gel Cream 29 ingredients
Clearstem Skincare Hydraglow Stem Cell Moisturizer 27 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Garcinia Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Inulin
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
Fructooligosaccharides
HumectantPropanediol
SolventSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningJojoba Esters
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium PCA
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
Emulsifying
Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate Hcl
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Potassium Lactate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Phytate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Lecithin
EmollientGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Pullulan
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Garcinia Indica Seed Butter, Inulin, Squalane, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Fructooligosaccharides, Propanediol, Sclerotium Gum, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Jojoba Esters, Silica, Sodium PCA, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate Hcl, Cetyl Alcohol, Potassium Lactate, Potassium Sorbate, Lactic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Lecithin, Glycine Soja Oil, Pullulan, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Propanediol
SolventCannabis Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Punica Granatum Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Raphanus Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Boswellia Carterii Oil
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Cocoyl/Stearoyl (Alanine/Arginine/Asparagine/Aspartic Acid/Glutamic Acid/Glutamine/Glycine/Histidine/Isoleucine/Leucine/Lysine/Phenylalanine/Proline/Serine/Threonine/Tyrosine/Valine)
EmollientPhenylalanine
MaskingArgania Spinosa Sprout Cell Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Tanacetum Annuum Flower Oil
Masking
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningDiglucosyl Gallic Acid
Thioctic Acid
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Squalane, Propanediol, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Raphanus Sativus Seed Extract, Bakuchiol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Jojoba Esters, Boswellia Carterii Oil, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Sodium Cocoyl/Stearoyl (Alanine/Arginine/Asparagine/Aspartic Acid/Glutamic Acid/Glutamine/Glycine/Histidine/Isoleucine/Leucine/Lysine/Phenylalanine/Proline/Serine/Threonine/Tyrosine/Valine), Phenylalanine, Argania Spinosa Sprout Cell Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Tanacetum Annuum Flower Oil, Lactobacillus Ferment, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Thioctic Acid, Lactic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, 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 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 GlycerinSqualane 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.
Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.
Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.
Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).
In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.
The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.
Is squalane vegan?
This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Learn more about SqualanePolyglyceryl-6 Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Propanediol 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 PropanediolJojoba Esters is a wax created from Jojoba oil. It is an emollient and film-forming ingredient. In bead form, it is an exfoliator.
This ingredient has high oxidative stability, meaning it doesn't break down when exposed to oxygen.
Its similarity to our skin's natural oils makes it a great emollient. Emollients help soften and soothe our skin by creating a barrier on top. This barrier helps trap moisture in, keeping skin hydrated.
It is created using either the hydrogenation or transesterification processes on jojoba oil.
Learn more about Jojoba EstersCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholLactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.
Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.
Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.
Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Burt's Bees Skin Balancing Gel Cream 29 ingredients
Clearstem Skincare Hydraglow Stem Cell Moisturizer 27 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Burt's Bees Skin Balancing Gel Cream 29 ingredients
Clearstem Skincare Hydraglow Stem Cell Moisturizer 27 ingredients
Used this for maybe a week…. Made my skin SO dry and it started pilling. Did not hydrate how it claims it does. Actually made my face burn a bit.
The only up side to it is that it didn’t make my face break out using it but now I have to fix my face hydration because it was SO drying (to the point that I was getting actual dry patches) and my face is not usually dry like that at all, even with Show more
Irritating. Even more fragranced than you’d think glancing at the ingredients.
