Clinique Moisture Surge™ Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate Versus Dior Capture Totale Intensive Essence Lotion
This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Acetyl Glucosamine and Sodium Hyaluronate to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin.
This anti-aging essence is formulated around Niacinamide and Ascorbyl Glucoside to soften the look of wrinkles and brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventSucrose
HumectantHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantAlteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantAlgae Extract
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientDextrin Palmitate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitol
HumectantSodium Polyaspartate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
ChelatingBHT
AntioxidantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Propanediol, Sucrose, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Trehalose, Algae Extract, Caffeine, Cholesterol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Dextrin Palmitate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sorbitol, Sodium Polyaspartate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carbomer, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Benzophenone-4, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, CI 14700, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialPolyglycerin-3
HumectantAframomum Angustifolium Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Flower Extract
MaskingLilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Tocopheryl Phosphate
AntioxidantPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantPropanediol
SolventChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningYeast Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Surfactin
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxylated Lecithin
EmulsifyingXylitol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantTrehalose
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePEG-8
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-32
HumectantPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Alcohol, Polyglycerin-3, Aframomum Angustifolium Seed Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Adenosine, Sodium Tocopheryl Phosphate, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Propanediol, Chlorphenesin, Parfum, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Yeast Ferment Extract, Sodium Surfactin, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxylated Lecithin, Xylitol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Trehalose, Potassium Sorbate, PEG-8, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, PEG-32, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
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 PropanediolSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium 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 HydroxideTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseWater. 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