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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Dermalogica Calm Water Gel versus First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oil-Control Moisturizer .

Last updated on October 19, 2023. Published on January 27, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free general moisturizers. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants and hyaluronic acid

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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.

General Moisturizer American Brand United States
General Moisturizer American Brand United States

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

Price

Shop

Buy Calm Water Gel

Starts at $36.00
Shop

Buy Ultra Repair Oil-Control Moisturizer

Starts at $36.00

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

Exfoliators
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Dark Spots
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Exfoliators
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (2)
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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

Dermalogica Calm Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 1.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oil-Control 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

Dermalogica Calm Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 2.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oil-Control Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 13.

3
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.

Dermalogica Calm Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 4.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oil-Control Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 2.

4
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.

Dermalogica Calm Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 5.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oil-Control Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 4.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.

Dermalogica Calm Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 7.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oil-Control Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 20.

6
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

Dermalogica Calm Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 10.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oil-Control Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 8.

7
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

Potassium sorbate is potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.

Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.

Potassium sorbate is often used with stronger preservatives.

Learn more about Potassium Sorbate

Dermalogica Calm Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 21.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oil-Control Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 29.

8
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

Dermalogica Calm Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 22.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oil-Control Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 27.

9
What it does: Masking, Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.

Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.

Sodium Benzoate is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.

Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.

We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Sodium Benzoate

Dermalogica Calm Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 23.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oil-Control Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 30.

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

27% are loved or liked
15% have mixed ratings
35% are disliked or very disliked
23% have no rating yet
30% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
40% are disliked or very disliked
20% have no rating yet

Usage

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

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Dermalogica Calm Water Gel 26 ingredients

Calm Water Gel hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oil-Control Moisturizer 30 ingredients

4.5 /5
from 2 ratings
Absorbs Well (1) Light (1) Works Well (1)
Kenzicakes3's avatar

Kenzicakes3

2 years ago · Oily Skin
Review

I really enjoy this moisturizer
I’ve been using this moisturizer on and off for about a month and I really like it. I have oily skin so it seems to...

I really enjoy this moisturizer
I’ve been using this moisturizer on and off for about a month and I really like it. I have oily skin so it seems to help with it. It does moisturize also maybe not a whole lot but that’s good for me. The only down fall I would say is maybe the price

chlolands's avatar

chlolands

3 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

Great moisturizer for oily skin, but doesn't provide enough moisture for dryer climates.

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