Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance Moisturizer Versus Sweet Chef Superfood + Vitamins Boost Moisture
This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate and Ceramide NP to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin.
This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide 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 ConditioningEthylhexyl Hydroxystearate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Cetyl Caprylate
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
PEG-8
HumectantOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Echinacea Purpurea Extract
MoisturisingAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Rosa Centifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Propanediol
Solvent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
ChelatingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxystearic Acid
Cleansing
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetyl Caprylate, Stearic Acid, PEG-8, Octyldodecanol, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate Se, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Ceramide NP, Phytosterols, Centella Asiatica Extract, Linoleic Acid, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Palmitic Acid, Myristic Acid, Rosa Centifolia Extract, Lactic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Propanediol, Tocopherol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Hydroxystearic Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Tromethamine
BufferingBrassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGanoderma Lucidum Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Antioxidant
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
ChelatingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Althaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Panax Ginseng Extract
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil
Emollient
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Niacinamide, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Tromethamine, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Stem Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Glycine Soja Oil, Panax Ginseng Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Retinol, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Caramel, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinPalmitic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin and in many plant and animal sources.
In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It serves many purposes in skincare, acting as a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
Interestingly, topically applied Palmitic Acid can be elongated into longer chain fatty acids and ceramides. A 2019 study found low levels of Palmitic Acid lead to slower development of cells, suggesting it plays a role in keeping your skin's renewal process on track.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) panel determined it safe as used in cosmetics at concentrations up to 13%. It is non-irritating and non-sensitizing in clinical studies.
The culprit behind fungal acne, the Malassezia yeast, feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between C11-C24. Palmitic Acid, at C16, falls right into that sweet spot.
In vitro studies have shown that Palmitic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
It's worth noting that what feeds yeast in a lab doesn't necessarily feed it on your face since formulation and your skin's chemistry play a bigger role.
This ingredient does have a comedogenic rating of 2, but this doesn't mean a formula with this ingredient will clog pores.
Human testing has proved that any finished product with a comedogenic ingredient won't automatically make you break out; it really comes down to concentration, formula, and your skin.
Learn more about Palmitic AcidSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
This ingredient does have a comedogenic rating of 2-3, but this doesn't mean a formula with this ingredient will clog pores.
Human testing has proved that any finished product with this ingredient won't automatically make you break out; it really comes down to concentration, formula, and your skin.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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
