Cortizone-10 Maximum Strength 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Creme with Aloe Versus Equate Maximum Strength Hydrocortisone Cream 1% Intensive Healing Formula
Updated on May 28, 2025
Overview
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols or common allergens
What's Inside
They both contain oils, parabens and sulfates
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
Cortizone-10 Maximum Strength 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Creme with Aloe 16 ingredients
Equate Maximum Strength Hydrocortisone Cream 1% Intensive Healing Formula 25 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Cortizone-10 Maximum Strength 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Creme with Aloe 16 ingredients
Equate Maximum Strength Hydrocortisone Cream 1% Intensive Healing Formula 25 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrocortisone 1%
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Sulfate
Astringent
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Calcium Acetate
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dextrin
AbsorbentGlycerin
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Methylparaben
Preservative
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Petrolatum
Emollient
Propylparaben
Preservative
Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrocortisone 1%
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCeteareth-6
Emulsifying
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Zea Mays Starch
AbsorbentDimethicone
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Glycerin
Humectant
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Methylparaben
Preservative
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Propylparaben
Preservative
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Petrolatum
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrocortisone 1%, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Beeswax, Carbomer, Ceteareth-6, Cetyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Zea Mays Starch, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Glycerin, Isopropyl Palmitate, Methylparaben, Paraffinum Liquidum, Propylene Glycol, Propylparaben, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Petrolatum, Water
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice comes from leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is best known for helping to soothe sunburns. It is also anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and can help heal wounds.
Aloe is packed with good stuff including Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are antioxidants, which help fight free-radicals and the damage they may cause. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice also contains sugars. These sugars come in the form of monosaccharides and polysaccharides, folic acid, and choline. These sugars are able to help bind moisture to skin.
It also contains minerals such as calcium, 12 anthraquinones, fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamin B12.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceBeeswax is natural wax produced by honey bees and can be synthetically created. It consists mainly of fatty acid esters and long-chain alcohols.
In cosmetics, beeswax is a emollient. Due to its waxy structure, it creates a protective barrier. This barrier prevents water from evaporating off the skin.
This may not be a good ingredient for oily skin. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Beeswax cannot be removed with water, but can be taken off with an oil cleanser.
Beeswax is also antiseptic and contains vitamin A.
Learn more about BeeswaxGlycerin 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 GlycerinMethylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben. It is used to prevent the growth of fungus, mold, and other harmful bacteria. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in both cosmetics and food.
Methylparaben can be synthetically created. It can also be found naturally in some fruits, such as blueberries.
Oftentimes, Methylparaben is combined with other parabens to help increase the shelf life.
The safety of Methylparaben is currently being studied. While ongoing studies are looking into the safety of parabens, the results have been very mixed. Some studies have not found Methylparaben to be harmful.
Learn more about MethylparabenParaffinum Liquidum is also known as liquid paraffin. It is a type of highly refined mineral oil.
Like other oils, Paraffinum Liquidum has emollient properties. Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. By creating a barrier to trap moisture within, emollients help keep your skin hydrated.
Paraffinum Liquidum does not irritate the skin and is non-comedogenic.
Learn more about Paraffinum LiquidumPetrolatum is more commonly known as petroleum jelly. It is created by mixing waxes and mineral oils.
This ingredient is effective at reducing water loss by 99%. This is because it is an occlusive. Occlusives create a hydrophobic barrier on the skin to prevent evaporation. This property makes it great for hydrating dry skin.
Pro tip: Use occlusives, such as this ingredient, on damp skin for the best results.
The quality or origin of petrolatum is only known when disclosed by the brand. Most cosmetic petrolatum has gone through several purification stages.
Another benefit of occlusives is it protects your skin against infection or allergies.
Petrolatum may not be safe for fungal-acne. Studies show mineral oil / petroleum leads to the growth of M. Furfur, a type of yeast.
Learn more about PetrolatumPropylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben with antifungal and antimicrobial properties.
This ingredient can be naturally found in plants and insects, but most of it is synthetically manufactured for human use. In cosmetics, it is usually created by reacting para-aminobenzoic acid and propanol (an alcohol).
You can usually find this ingredient in water-based products.
Parabens have come under controversy due to the claim they are hormone disruptors. Studies show conflicting results. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Propylparaben is commonly found in food, medicine, and cosmetics.
Learn more about PropylparabenSodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a sulfate with surfactant properties.
The surfactant property make it a great foam creator and cleansing agent. Surfactants help bind ingredients that normally do not mix.
Some studies have shown skin irritation due to prolonged SLS use.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a milder version of SLS.
Learn more about Sodium Lauryl SulfateWater. 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 WaterHydrocortisone is the name for the hormone cortisol when used in medication.
It is medication and not technically a cosmetic ingredient. Most countries allow topical creams to contain up between 0.05 - 2.5% (depending on the country) of hydrocortisone without a prescription. Higher amounts usually require a prescription from a professional.
Hydrocortisone can help relieve rashes, eczema, itching, and other inflammation induced skin conditions.
We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient.
Learn more about HydrocortisoneIngredient Ratings
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