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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Clinique iD™ Dramatically Different™ Hydrating Clearing Jelly versus Clinique iD Active Cartridge Concentrate for Imperfections .

Last updated on December 08, 2023. Published on September 22, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 15 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA and BHA

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

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

General Moisturizer American Brand United States
Facial Treatment American Brand United States

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Price

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Buy iD™ Dramatically Different™ Hydrating Clearing Jelly

Shop

Buy iD Active Cartridge Concentrate for Imperfections

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

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

AHA
BHA
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (3)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

AHA (2)
BHA

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin (2)
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores (3)
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (4)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying (2)
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (3)
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Ingredients Side-by-side

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

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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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

Clinique iD™ Dramatically Different™ Hydrating Clearing Jelly contains this as ingredient number 1.

Clinique iD Active Cartridge Concentrate for Imperfections contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Liked

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use.

It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol

Clinique iD™ Dramatically Different™ Hydrating Clearing Jelly contains this as ingredient number 2.

Clinique iD Active Cartridge Concentrate for Imperfections contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

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.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Clinique iD™ Dramatically Different™ Hydrating Clearing Jelly contains this as ingredient number 4.

Clinique iD Active Cartridge Concentrate for Imperfections contains this as ingredient number 3.

4
What it does: Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Disliked

We don't have a description for Laminaria Saccharina Extract.

Clinique iD™ Dramatically Different™ Hydrating Clearing Jelly contains this as ingredient number 7.

Clinique iD Active Cartridge Concentrate for Imperfections contains this as ingredient number 13.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Caffeine is most associated with coffee, tea, and cacao. In skincare, it helps with calming inflammation and anti-aging.

Caffeine is an antioxidants, which help with the signs of aging. This is because antioxidants help fight skin-damaging free radical molecules.

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

Clinique iD™ Dramatically Different™ Hydrating Clearing Jelly contains this as ingredient number 9.

Clinique iD Active Cartridge Concentrate for Imperfections contains this as ingredient number 12.

6
What it does: Buffering, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Lactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.

Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.

Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.

Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.

Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Lactic Acid

Clinique iD™ Dramatically Different™ Hydrating Clearing Jelly contains this as ingredient number 10.

Clinique iD Active Cartridge Concentrate for Imperfections contains this as ingredient number 9.

7
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Zinc PCA (or "zinc salt") differs slightly from zinc itself. PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid. However, Zinc PCA comes from zinc.

It can help reduce redness, regulate sebum, and promote the general healing process of the skin.

Zinc PCA tends to be especially useful for those with oily, acne-prone skin. It's certainly an ingredient worth trying out!

Learn more about Zinc PCA

Clinique iD™ Dramatically Different™ Hydrating Clearing Jelly contains this as ingredient number 11.

Clinique iD Active Cartridge Concentrate for Imperfections contains this as ingredient number 6.

8
What it does: Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.

Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.

Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.

It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.

In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.

While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.

If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.

Learn more about Salicylic Acid

Clinique iD™ Dramatically Different™ Hydrating Clearing Jelly contains this as ingredient number 15.

Clinique iD Active Cartridge Concentrate for Imperfections contains this as ingredient number 5.

9
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

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

Clinique iD™ Dramatically Different™ Hydrating Clearing Jelly contains this as ingredient number 17.

Clinique iD Active Cartridge Concentrate for Imperfections contains this as ingredient number 15.

10
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polysorbate 80 is a surfactant and emulsifier. It is used to keep ingredients together, and prevent oils and waters from separating.

It is made from polyethoxylated sorbitan and oleic acid. This ingredient can be found in cosmetics, foods, and medicine. It is water-soluble.

Polysorbate 80 may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polysorbate 80

Clinique iD™ Dramatically Different™ Hydrating Clearing Jelly contains this as ingredient number 18.

Clinique iD Active Cartridge Concentrate for Imperfections contains this as ingredient number 8.

11
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

Clinique iD™ Dramatically Different™ Hydrating Clearing Jelly contains this as ingredient number 20.

Clinique iD Active Cartridge Concentrate for Imperfections contains this as ingredient number 16.

12
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide

Clinique iD™ Dramatically Different™ Hydrating Clearing Jelly contains this as ingredient number 21.

Clinique iD Active Cartridge Concentrate for Imperfections contains this as ingredient number 10.

13
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

Clinique iD™ Dramatically Different™ Hydrating Clearing Jelly contains this as ingredient number 22.

Clinique iD Active Cartridge Concentrate for Imperfections contains this as ingredient number 17.

14
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.

Sodium Citrate helps maintain the pH 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.

Sodium Citrate is a chelating agent. It neutralizes metal ions from water and prevents them from binding to other ingredients. This ensures the other ingredients will not be altered.

Learn more about Sodium Citrate

Clinique iD™ Dramatically Different™ Hydrating Clearing Jelly contains this as ingredient number 23.

Clinique iD Active Cartridge Concentrate for Imperfections contains this as ingredient number 11.

15
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.

Clinique iD™ Dramatically Different™ Hydrating Clearing Jelly contains this as ingredient number 24.

Clinique iD Active Cartridge Concentrate for Imperfections contains this as ingredient number 19.

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

52% are loved or liked
12% have mixed ratings
28% are disliked or very disliked
8% have no rating yet
40% are loved or liked
20% have mixed ratings
35% are disliked or very disliked
5% have no rating yet

Usage

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

Alternatives

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