CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream to Soften Skin Versus Clinique Smart Night™ Custom-Repair Moisturizer
Updated on February 03, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe night moisturizers. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid, peptides and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and reducing pores
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances or parabens
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
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream to Soften Skin 40 ingredients
Clinique Smart Night™ Custom-Repair Moisturizer 48 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream to Soften Skin 40 ingredients
Clinique Smart Night™ Custom-Repair Moisturizer 48 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Saccharide Isomerate
HumectantStearic Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Glycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingMyristic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Laureth-9
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDextran
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Saccharide Isomerate, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Glycine Soja Sterols, Allantoin, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Myristic Acid, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Tripeptide-1, Laureth-9, Citric Acid, Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Dextran, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientPetrolatum
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Hexyldecyl Stearate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycereth-26
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Centaurium Erythraea Extract
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
Emollient
Micrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantYeast Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicErgothioneine
Antioxidant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Soy Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningAminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Lactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingIsohexadecane
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientSodium Benzoate
Masking
Calcium Chloride
AstringentHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Petrolatum, Glycerin, Hexyldecyl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Glycereth-26, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Centaurium Erythraea Extract, Algae Extract, Micrococcus Lysate, Glycine Soja Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Yeast Extract, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Caffeine, Biotin, Ergothioneine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Soy Amino Acids, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lactis Proteinum, Cetearyl Glucoside, Isohexadecane, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Myristyl Alcohol, Tromethamine, Polysorbate 80, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Citric Acid, Hexylene Glycol, Lecithin, Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Chloride, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
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 DimethiconeCetearyl 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 AlcoholSodium 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.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium 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 CitrateSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidButylene 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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream to Soften Skin 40 ingredients
Clinique Smart Night™ Custom-Repair Moisturizer 48 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream to Soften Skin 40 ingredients
Favorite for buffering or sandwiching retinoids!
When I first started my strong retinoid journey to help deal with my acne I was on the hunt for a thick moisturizer to help act as a buffer to my adapalene gel and to ease me through the retinization process. However I didn’t want anything too occlusive either, so I wanted to avoid petrolatum and oils (not all oils are super occlusive, but I wanted Show more
Simple, very hydrating night time moisturizer. My skin loves this stuff. Bonus points for being affordable
