COSRX Oil Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion with Birch Sap Versus Dr.Ceuracle 5 Alpha Control Clearing Cream
Updated on July 18, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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
COSRX Oil Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion with Birch Sap 19 ingredients
Dr.Ceuracle 5 Alpha Control Clearing Cream 48 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
COSRX Oil Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion with Birch Sap 19 ingredients
Dr.Ceuracle 5 Alpha Control Clearing Cream 48 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthyl Hexanediol
SolventXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering4-Terpineol
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Betaine, Cetearyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethyl Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lactate, 4-Terpineol, Water
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Methylpropanediol
SolventCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPhellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningCordyceps Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Ganoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBisabolol
Masking
Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sarcosine
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPEG-60 Almond Glycerides
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Glucose
Humectant
Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid
Antioxidant
Oleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Methylpropanediol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract, Betaine, Centella Asiatica Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Cetearyl Glucoside, Tromethamine, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Bisabolol, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sarcosine, Capryloyl Glycine, Hexylene Glycol, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sorbitan Oleate, Glucose, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Oleanolic Acid, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 80, Parfum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.
This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.
Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDimethicone 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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
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 GlycerinSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
COSRX Oil Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion with Birch Sap 19 ingredients
Dr.Ceuracle 5 Alpha Control Clearing Cream 48 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
