Versus

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel Versus Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream with Microbiome Technology

General Moisturizer
General Moisturizer
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on July 18, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 17 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants, hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream with Microbiome Technology

Water

Skin Conditioning

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon Icon

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Cetearyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 1 Fatty Alcohol IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene

Emollient
1 / 2

Trisiloxane

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Sucrose

Humectant

Isostearyl Palmitate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

PEG-100 Stearate

0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Hordeum Vulgare Extract

Emollient

Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract

Skin Conditioning

Cetearyl Glucoside

Emulsifying

Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Saccharomyces Lysate Extract

Humectant

Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract

Skin Conditioning

Asparagopsis Armata Extract

Skin Protecting

Algae Extract

Emollient
May worsen Oily Skin Icon

Caffeine

Skin Conditioning

Lactobacillus Ferment

Skin Conditioning

Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids

Cleansing

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Emulsifying

Polyethylene

Abrasive
Exfoliant Icon

Glyceryl Stearate

Emollient
1 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Salicylic Acid

Masking
BHA IconPreservative IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Sorbitol

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Cholesterol

Emollient
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Linoleic Acid

Cleansing
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glycine

Buffering
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Inulin

Skin Conditioning

Tromethamine

Buffering

Decarboxy Carnosine Hcl

Skin Conditioning

Phytosphingosine

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Cetyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Bisabolol

Masking
Helps reduce irritation Icon

Squalane

Emollient
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer

Behenyl Alcohol

Emollient
Fatty Alcohol Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Carbomer

Emulsion Stabilising
1 / 0

Silica

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Disodium EDTA

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

CI 42090

Cosmetic Colorant

CI 19140

Cosmetic Colorant

CI 77289

Cosmetic Colorant

CI 77891

Cosmetic Colorant

Mica

Cosmetic Colorant
May worsen Eczema Icon

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Dimethicone 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 Dimethicone
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Butylene 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.

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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

Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract comes from the Japanese Knotweed plant native to Japan, Korea, and China.

This plant contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It contains high amounts of resveratrol, a potent antioxidant.

The root of the plant has been used in traditional folk medicine throughout Asia.

Learn more about Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Saccharomyces Lysate Extract is from the yeast Saccharomyces. This ingredient is created from the cell walls of Saccharomyces.

As a humectant, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract helps draw moisture to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.

Saccharomyces is also known as brewer's yeast and was traditionally used to make beer.

Learn more about Saccharomyces Lysate Extract
Emollient, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Hordeum Vulgare Extract yet.

Skin Conditioning

Caffeine is most associated with coffee, tea, and cacao. In skincare, it helps with calming inflammation and is rich in antioxidants.

While caffeine is used to treat cellulite and and dark circles, further studies are needed to prove this. It has been believed to help with these skin conditions due to its ability to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow.

Some studies are looking into caffeine's ability to protect against UV rays.

Learn more about Caffeine
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

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 Hyaluronate
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning

Tocopheryl 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 Acetate
Abrasive, Absorbent

Silica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.

Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.

Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.

Learn more about Silica
Skin Conditioning

Lactobacillus Ferment is created by fermenting the Lactobacillus bacteria. It helps keep our skin's natural barrier and microbiome healthy.

Studies show lactobacillus ferment to be effective at repairing the skin barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier helps keep your skin healthy and hydrated. It also protects against bad bacteria.

As a probiotic/prebiotic/postbiotic, Lactobacillus ferment can help regular our natural biome. In fact, one study found a lack of diversity in our natural skin biome can trigger acne.

Learn more about Lactobacillus Ferment
Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.

A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.

Buffering, Masking

Tromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.

As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.

Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. 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.

Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.

1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-

Learn more about Tromethamine

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
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol 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.

Cosmetic Colorant

CI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.

Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.

Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.

Learn more about CI 19140

When to use

468 Routines
55% use in am
45% use in pm
97% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
45 Routines
62% use in am
38% use in pm
82% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel 33 ingredients

3.9 /5
from 10 ratings
Light (3) Hydrating (2) Broke Me Out (1)
LorenaLeyva_271's avatar

LorenaLeyva_271

1 year ago
Review

its the only moisturizer that has never made me break out or have irritated skin

Pitou's avatar

Pitou

3 years ago
Review

Great for Oily skin!
I have oily skin and this moisturizer is my all time favourite amongst all other I have tried. It helps in maintaining my skin protective barriers without clogging my pores or causing my skin to produce more oil.

It goes on the skin nice and absorb so well. In winter, I use one and a half pump and in summer I feel like a pump should be enough for the whole face. One bottle Show more

Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream with Microbiome Technology 54 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Absorbs Well (2) Hydrating (2) Works Well (2)
rinaballerina's avatar

rinaballerina

1 year ago
Review

Really nice! I've only been using it for a few days, but it totally calms down the redness in my cheeks.

#expensive
#hydrating
#absorbs well
#works well
EllaH's avatar

Ella H

1 month ago
Review

I have very sensitive, rosacea-prone skin. My redness issues have almost disappeared since discovering Clinique’s Redness Solutions cream. I include it in my AM routine, and what a difference it makes! It absorbs quickly, and my skin feels fantastic throughout the day. Redness and sensitivity are gone! 😍

#great value
#hydrating
#absorbs well
#works well