Chanel Hydra Beauty Camellia Water Cream Illuminating Hydrating Fluid Versus Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer
Updated on July 26, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both general moisturizers. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols, oils and 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
Chanel Hydra Beauty Camellia Water Cream Illuminating Hydrating Fluid 32 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
Chanel Hydra Beauty Camellia Water Cream Illuminating Hydrating Fluid 32 ingredients
Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer 37 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Flower Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCanola Oil
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientPEG-60 Glyceryl Isostearate
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Arginine
Masking
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phytic Acid
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic Colorant
Water, Camellia Japonica Flower Water, Squalane, Glycerin, Alcohol, Lauroyl Lysine, Propanediol, Canola Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, PEG-60 Glyceryl Isostearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Silica, Arginine, Dipropylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-51, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phytic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, CI 77891, Mica
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 DimethiconeDipropylene 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 GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateAscorbyl Glucoside is a stable form of Vitamin C. It is created by combining glucose from starch.
When applied to skin, Ascorbyl Glucoside turns into Ascorbic Acid.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may damage skin cells.
It can help to reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Ascorbyl GlucosideSodium 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 CitrateCitric 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 AcidCi 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Chanel Hydra Beauty Camellia Water Cream Illuminating Hydrating Fluid 32 ingredients
Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer 37 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Chanel Hydra Beauty Camellia Water Cream Illuminating Hydrating Fluid 32 ingredients
god this smells great, feels great and is just a wonderful formula. GODDAMNIT CHANEL why are all ur products so good at such a high price
