Dermafirm L’Cream Restructuring Cream Versus Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment
Updated on June 28, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, fragrances, parabens or 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
Dermafirm L’Cream Restructuring Cream 75 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment 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
Dermafirm L’Cream Restructuring Cream 75 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment 25 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Snail Secretion Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Allium Cepa Bulb Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aralia Elata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGold
Cosmetic ColorantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Vitis Vinifera Flower Extract
EmollientMichelia Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialEchium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Serine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Leucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Threonine
Proline
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Cysteine
Antioxidant
Methionine
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantHydrolyzed Algin
Boswellia Serrata Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Oligopeptide
Cleansing
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-29
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Octyldodecanol
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Isononanoate
EmollientCeteareth-20
Cleansing
Ceteareth-12
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingCetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Benzoic Acid
Masking
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Glyceryl Caprylate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopropyl Myristate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Stearic Acid, Beeswax, Jojoba Esters, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Allium Cepa Bulb Extract, Aralia Elata Root Extract, Gold, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera Flower Extract, Michelia Alba Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Arginine, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Proline, Valine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Cysteine, Methionine, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Hydrolyzed Algin, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Copper Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-29, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Oligopeptide-1, Oligopeptide-2, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Octyldodecanol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Polysorbate 60, Allantoin, Glucose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Ceteareth-20, Ceteareth-12, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Sodium Phosphate, Cetyl Palmitate, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Benzoic Acid, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Dimethicone, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Alcohol Denat., Glyceryl Caprylate, 1,2-Hexanediol
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Spiraea Ulmaria Extract
AstringentPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientEpigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Skin Protecting
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Pullulan
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Sodium Phytate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Acetyl Glucosamine, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Allantoin, Lecithin, Pullulan, Panthenol, Silica, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Propanediol, Sodium Phytate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterButylene 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 GlycolGlycerin 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 GlycerinCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.
This ingredient has many skin benefits:
This ingredient contains polyphenols, a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off molecules that damage skin cells.
On top of that, the antioxidants in green tea neutralize free-radicals from the sun. This gives the skin some extra UV protection, but should not replace sunscreen.
Many components of tea have anti-inflammatory properties.
Polyphenols and L-theanine help soothe the skin and reduce irritation. The caffeine in Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract helps calm inflamed blood vessels.
Other compounds found in tea include: Vitamin Bs, linoleic acid, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.
Research has shown both drinking Camellia Sinensis Leaf Tea and applying it to the skin can help boost skin elasticity and hydration. Studies also show using tea extract may reduce sebum, or oil, production.
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractAllantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.
Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Dermafirm L’Cream Restructuring Cream 75 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment 25 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Dermafirm L’Cream Restructuring Cream 75 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment 25 ingredients
I wanted to find a niacinamide product that had other benefits like antioxidants. This caused huge cystic acne and flared up my FA. I suspect it's due to the lecithin which I found is not FA safe and in higher concentrations is problematic for acne prone skin.
Lecithin is a mixture of diglycerides of stearic, palmitic, and oleic acids. It can contain soybean oil and phospholipid fatty acids Show more
Good product :) My pores shrank and actually made a difference compared to 15 and 10 percent concentrations. I was surprised there was no irritation even after using twice a day. My skin loves niacinamide.
