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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Cien Aqua Moisturising Cream versus Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 .

Published on March 27, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both day moisturizers. They have a total of 13 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain SPF

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and sensitive skin

Free From

They both do not contain any oils

What's Inside

They both contain harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens and silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Day Moisturizer German Brand Germany
Day Moisturizer American Brand United States

Day Moisturizer

Day Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin during the daytime.

Day Moisturizer

Day Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin during the daytime.

Price

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
15

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (3)
Vitamin E (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation (2)
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing (2)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (4)

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (3)

Benefits

Hydrating
Reduces Irritation
Brightening

Concerns

Drying (3)
May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (4)
Eczema (4)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Cien Aqua Moisturising Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 4.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin 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 Glycerin

Cien Aqua Moisturising Cream contains this as ingredient number 2.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 9.

3
What it does: Antimicrobial, Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.

As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.

This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.

Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

Cien Aqua Moisturising Cream contains this as ingredient number 4.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 5.

4
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Cetearyl 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 Alcohol

Cien Aqua Moisturising Cream contains this as ingredient number 5.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 6.

5
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

Cien Aqua Moisturising Cream contains this as ingredient number 10.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 13.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Panthenol (also referred to as pro-vitamin B5) is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin.

lt is a humectant, meaning that it helps the skin attract and retain moisture.

Another benefit is the anti-inflammatory abilities. This means that it's great for sensitive, irritation-prone skin.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

Learn more about Panthenol

Cien Aqua Moisturising Cream contains this as ingredient number 11.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 15.

7
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Disliked

Cyclopentasiloxane is a silicone used to improve texture and trap moisture. An easier name for this is D5.

D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.

D5 is an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.

Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.

Learn more about Cyclopentasiloxane

Cien Aqua Moisturising Cream contains this as ingredient number 12.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 8.

8
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Disodium 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 EDTA

Cien Aqua Moisturising Cream contains this as ingredient number 14.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 26.

9
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Ethylparaben is a preservative, is a paraben, and is not reef safe.

Cien Aqua Moisturising Cream contains this as ingredient number 16.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 32.

10
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Methylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben. It is used to prevent the growth of fungus, mold, and other harmful bacteria. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in both cosmetics and food.

Methylparaben can be synthetically created. It can also be found naturally in some fruits, such as blueberries.

Oftentimes, Methylparaben is combined with other parabens to help increase the shelf life.

The safety of Methylparaben is currently being studied. While ongoing studies are looking into the safety of parabens, the results have been very mixed. Some studies have not found Methylparaben to be harmful.

Learn more about Methylparaben

Cien Aqua Moisturising Cream contains this as ingredient number 17.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 27.

11
What it does: Masking, Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give aroma to products. Parfum, or fragrance, can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "Parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.

In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'. The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.

For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance. One example is Calendula flower extract. Essential oil ingredients still impart a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, it can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Products use parfum often to give products a scent or cover up smells of different ingredients.

The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.

Learn more about Parfum

Cien Aqua Moisturising Cream contains this as ingredient number 19.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 23.

12
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

Cien Aqua Moisturising Cream contains this as ingredient number 20.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 7.

13
What it does: Perfuming, Preservative, Solvent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.

Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.

Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.

Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.

Other types of astringent alcohols include:

According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.

Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.

Learn more about Benzyl Alcohol

Cien Aqua Moisturising Cream contains this as ingredient number 36.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 16.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

32% are loved or liked
3% have mixed ratings
46% are disliked or very disliked
19% have no rating yet
16% are loved or liked
3% have mixed ratings
68% are disliked or very disliked
13% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Cien Aqua Moisturising Cream 37 ingredients

Aqua Moisturising Cream hasn't been rated yet.
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Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 38 ingredients

2.0 /5
from 1 rating
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4 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

Not my favorite
This was my first moisturizer. For my personal preferences, I’m not too fond of this one. Many people say it’s light-weight, and it...

Not my favorite
This was my first moisturizer. For my personal preferences, I’m not too fond of this one. Many people say it’s light-weight, and it was at first, but over time it started to feel very heavy and greasy on my skin to the point where I just used it as hand lotion. And sometimes, not everyday, it irritated my skin. It felt a little tingly sometimes. It’s also not clear, it has a white cast when you apply it on and it takes like 30 minutes to absorb so I had to walk around looking like a pale zombie. It also did not have enough moisture even though I have very oily skin, so in the day I felt like my face was burning. I even used extra SPF to top it off but I felt like sweating all the time? I also broke out more due to the greasy feel. It was a weird experience, but if you’re reading this review it really doesn’t hurt to try this moisturizer! It’s not bad for sensitive skin, but if you don’t want to feel heavy during the day, I really don’t recommend this.

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