Cetaphil Dermacontrol Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30 - Sensitive & Oily Skin Versus Cetaphil Gentle Clear Acne Mattifying Moisturizer
Updated on May 15, 2024
Overview
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens 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
Cetaphil Dermacontrol Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30 - Sensitive & Oily Skin 29 ingredients
Cetaphil Gentle Clear Acne Mattifying Moisturizer 37 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Cetaphil Dermacontrol Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30 - Sensitive & Oily Skin 29 ingredients
Cetaphil Gentle Clear Acne Mattifying Moisturizer 37 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 7%
UV Absorber
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Polysorbate 61
Emulsifying
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSucrose Tristearate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Triethanolamine
BufferingWater
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 7%, Allantoin, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Ceramide NP, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Disodium EDTA, Glycerin, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Panthenol, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Polysorbate 61, Potassium Sorbate, Silica, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sucrose Tristearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethanolamine, Water, Xanthan Gum, Zinc Gluconate
Salicylic Acid 0.5%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Glycerin
Humectant
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingSqualane
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingBisabolol
Masking
Safflower Oil/Palm Oil Aminopropanediol Esters
Skin Conditioning
PPG-5-Laureth-5
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingKojic Acid
Antioxidant
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-11
Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid 0.5%, Water, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Sodium Polyacrylate, Glycerin, Ceteareth-20, Polysorbate 60, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate, Phenoxyethanol, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Zinc Gluconate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Morus Alba Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Bisabolol, Safflower Oil/Palm Oil Aminopropanediol Esters, PPG-5-Laureth-5, Sodium Hydroxide, Kojic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-11, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.
Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate is a synthetic powder used as an absorbent, thickener, and anti-caking agent.
As an absorbent, it is great at mattifying skin by soaking up the oil. This is why you'll find it in a range of products from makeup to moisturizers.
This ingredient is considered a modified starch. Starch can also be found naturally in plants.
One study from 1991 found that 5% of this ingredient enhanced titanium dioxide SPF by as much as 40%. The study found 1% titanium dioxide had a 5.6 SPF and adding 5% of aluminum starch octenylsuccinate boosted it to an SPF of 8.1
Although “aluminum” in an ingredient name can raise red flags for some consumers, the form and usage context matter significantly. For typical topical applications, there is no substantial evidence of health risks - such as cancer, neurotoxicity, or systemic “aluminum overload.”
Learn more about Aluminum Starch OctenylsuccinateCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 WaterZinc gluconate has antibacterial and wound healing properties. It is particularly effective against fighting inflammatory acne.
This ingredient is the zinc salt of the PHA gluconic acid. PHAs are gentle cousins to AHAs.
Ingredient Ratings
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When to use
Cetaphil Dermacontrol Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30 - Sensitive & Oily Skin 29 ingredients
Cetaphil Gentle Clear Acne Mattifying Moisturizer 37 ingredients
Reviews
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Cetaphil Gentle Clear Acne Mattifying Moisturizer 37 ingredients
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