Clinique Smart Clinical Repair SPF 15 Wrinkle Correcting Cream Versus La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 AquaGel SPF30
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberPolyester-8
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningAcrylates Copolymer
Dextrin Palmitate
EmulsifyingPEG-100 Stearate
Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant7-Dehydrocholesterol
Emulsion StabilisingBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningLactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasivePentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientLecithin
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPPG-8-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Sesquiisostearate
EmulsifyingSorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate
EmulsifyingPEG-8
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientAcrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantSodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Polyester-8, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Acrylates Copolymer, Dextrin Palmitate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, 7-Dehydrocholesterol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Caffeine, Caprylyl Glycol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Lauroyl Lysine, Saccharomyces Ferment, Lactis Proteinum, Algae Extract, Plankton Extract, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Silica, Pentylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Lecithin, Polysorbate 20, PPG-8-Ceteth-20, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate, PEG-8, Carbomer, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Dipropylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Stearyl Alcohol, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHT, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantOctocrylene
UV AbsorberHomosalate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDrometrizole Trisiloxane
UV AbsorberDibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantDextrin Palmitate
EmulsifyingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePoly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Octocrylene, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, CI 42090, Dextrin Palmitate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, T-Butyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDextrin Palmitate comes from the palmitic acid ester of Dextrin. It is used as an emulsifier and texture enhancer.
Emulsifiers help keep ingredients together. According to a manufacturer, dextrin palmitate helps create a low-viscosity gel texture.
Due to its fatty acid base, this ingredient is not fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Dextrin PalmitateEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHomosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.
Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.
(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)
Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.
Learn more about HomosalatePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene 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 the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water