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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Clinique Superdefense Night Recovery Moisturizer versus Clinique Smart Night™ Custom-Repair Moisturizer .

Published on August 01, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe night moisturizers. They have a total of 22 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid, peptides, Vitamin C and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, dark spots and better texture

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 need an update? Let us know.

Night Moisturizer American Brand United States
Night Moisturizer American Brand United States

Night Moisturizer

Night Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin overnight.

Night Moisturizer

Night Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin overnight.

Price

Shop

Buy Superdefense Night Recovery Moisturizer

Starts at $42.51
Shop

Buy Smart Night™ Custom-Repair Moisturizer

Starts at $23.99

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

Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Hyaluronic Acid
Peptides

Benefits

Hydrating
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Hyaluronic Acid
Peptides

Benefits

Hydrating
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (4)
Acne Trigger
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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

Clinique Superdefense Night Recovery Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 1.

Clinique Smart Night™ Custom-Repair Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 1.

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

Clinique Superdefense Night Recovery Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 5.

Clinique Smart Night™ Custom-Repair Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 4.

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 Superdefense Night Recovery Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 7.

Clinique Smart Night™ Custom-Repair Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 6.

4
What it does:
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Peg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.

Peg-100 Stearate helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. It helps prevent oil and water from separating in a product. By binding oil and water, it helps remove dirt and oil to be rinsed away.

Clinique Superdefense Night Recovery Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 9.

Clinique Smart Night™ Custom-Repair Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 10.

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 Superdefense Night Recovery Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 13.

Clinique Smart Night™ Custom-Repair Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 20.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Tonic

We don't have a description for Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract.

Clinique Superdefense Night Recovery Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 14.

Clinique Smart Night™ Custom-Repair Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 19.

7
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

We don't have a description for Micrococcus Lysate.

Clinique Superdefense Night Recovery Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 15.

Clinique Smart Night™ Custom-Repair Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 14.

8
What it does: Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Whey Protein.

Clinique Superdefense Night Recovery Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 18.

Clinique Smart Night™ Custom-Repair Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 28.

9
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter isn't fungal acne safe.

Clinique Superdefense Night Recovery Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 19.

Clinique Smart Night™ Custom-Repair Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 26.

10
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Lecithin is a term for a group of substances found in plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of fatty acids. These fatty acids usually are a mixture of phosphoric acid's choline ester connected to stearic, oleic, and palmitic acids. Most lecithins are created from plant ingredients scuh as sunflower.

Lecithin is an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.

As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin. The phospholipids in Lecithin can produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.

Learn more about Lecithin

Clinique Superdefense Night Recovery Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 22.

Clinique Smart Night™ Custom-Repair Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 41.

11
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 is a peptide. A common name for this peptide is Argireline.

Argireline has a similar function to botox. It prevents muscle movement and contractions. By preventing muscles from moving, Argireline also prohibits the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. However, research is lacking in proving this ingredient to be as effective as botox.

Argireline tells our body to create more collagen. Collagen is a protein that makes connective tissue. Boosting collagen production leads to a healthier skin barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier means having firm and hydrated skin.

Read more about other common types of peptides here:

Learn more about Acetyl Hexapeptide-8

Clinique Superdefense Night Recovery Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 23.

Clinique Smart Night™ Custom-Repair Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 23.

12
What it does: Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Glycine Soja Protein comes from the soybean. It is an emulsifer and helps to condition skin. Emulsifiers prevent ingredients from separating, such as water and oils.

Learn more about Glycine Soja Oil.

Clinique Superdefense Night Recovery Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 24.

Clinique Smart Night™ Custom-Repair Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 15.

13
What it does: Antioxidant
Community Rating: Loved

Ergothioneine is an antioxidant.

Clinique Superdefense Night Recovery Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 25.

Clinique Smart Night™ Custom-Repair Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 22.

14
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

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

Clinique Superdefense Night Recovery Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 26.

Clinique Smart Night™ Custom-Repair Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 34.

15
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.

Clinique Superdefense Night Recovery Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 28.

Clinique Smart Night™ Custom-Repair Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 7.

16
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying
Community Rating: Disliked

Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.

Glyceryl Stearate is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.

As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.

In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced. The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.

Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate

Clinique Superdefense Night Recovery Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 29.

Clinique Smart Night™ Custom-Repair Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 9.

17
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

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

Clinique Superdefense Night Recovery Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 32.

Clinique Smart Night™ Custom-Repair Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 27.

18
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol

Clinique Superdefense Night Recovery Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 33.

Clinique Smart Night™ Custom-Repair Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 31.

19
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising
Community Rating: Disliked

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products.

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is also an emulsifier. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.

Clinique Superdefense Night Recovery Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 34.

Clinique Smart Night™ Custom-Repair Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 32.

20
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

Clinique Superdefense Night Recovery Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 39.

Clinique Smart Night™ Custom-Repair Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 39.

21
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 Superdefense Night Recovery Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 40.

Clinique Smart Night™ Custom-Repair Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 45.

22
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 Superdefense Night Recovery Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 41.

Clinique Smart Night™ Custom-Repair Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 48.

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

40% are loved or liked
12% have mixed ratings
40% are disliked or very disliked
9% have no rating yet
31% are loved or liked
21% have mixed ratings
38% are disliked or very disliked
10% have no rating yet

Usage

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

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