Dermalogica Clear Start Cooling Aqua Jelly Versus CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion for Normal to Dry Skin
This moisturizer is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate to hydrate skin.
This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Ceramide NP and Ceramide AP to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer
CleansingCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Leaf Oil
Masking
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
Masking
Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
AstringentCinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Oil
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Maclura Cochinchinensis Leaf Prenylflavonoids
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Haslea Ostrearia Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Antioxidant
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingTanacetum Annuum Flower Oil
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Leaf Oil, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Oil, Propanediol, Maclura Cochinchinensis Leaf Prenylflavonoids, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Haslea Ostrearia Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Tanacetum Annuum Flower Oil, Sodium Chloride
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingBehentrimonium Methosulfate
SurfactantMethylparaben
Preservative
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCholesterol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Dipotassium Phosphate
BufferingPropylparaben
Preservative
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Dimethicone, Ceteareth-20, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Methylparaben, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Phosphate, Propylparaben, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
